The Plough & Harrow from Bridge swept into the next phase of the main competition with a 6-0 win at home to Plate-bound Fitzwalter Arms.  Baz Symes (3700), Paddy Maher (3250) and Keith Symes (5700) took the singles points.  Maher’s 3250-1860 win against Nigel Scott was Scott’s first singles defeat in the Summer League.  The doubles continued in similar fashion, with the Plough winning all three, but it was still an enjoyable evening for all players, with the match played in the excellent spirit which typifies the bar billiards league.

A 3-3 draw between the Brickmakers Arms B and the Plough & Harrow from Tilmanstone leaves both teams on the verge of qualifying for the second group phase.  Ken Keen beat Simon Hart 1770-1390 to give the Plough early advantage, and Ann Keen (2700) made it 2-0.  A complete turn-about in fortunes started with a singles win for Simon Jones (4520), and then a close 3030-2430 victory for Paul Dargan & Simon Hart against Ann & Ken Keen.  The two Simons took the next doubles to give the Brickies a 3-2 lead, but Brian Carpenter & Ann Keen rallied in the final leg to score 4910 and force the draw.

In Group B, the Market Inn ensured qualification for the second group phase with a 6-0 win against local Sandwich rivals the Greyhound.  Maximum points in the singles came courtesy of wins for Alan Farra (3550), Craig Carlson (3440) and a closer 1910-1080 victory for Gareth
Butcher against Roger Beadle.  The doubles also went the Market Inn way as Carlson & Dave Carliell (4300), then Butcher & Carliell (4400) took the first two, before a narrow 2760-2040 leg taken by Alan & Christine Farra against Roger Beadle & Daniel Jackson.

Group C saw a 4-2 win for the Lion away at the Magnet B, a result which qualifies the Lion for the main competition, and leaves the Magnet B still hoping to progress.  The Lion took all three singles via Neville Potts (2550), Wack Sampson (4410) and Tim Hayes (3150).  Hayes & Sampson (4460) took the first doubles, but from there the Magnet staged a mini-comeback as first Steve Philpott & Rob Robertson edged out Nev Potts & Matt Andrews 2260-2200, and then Tanya & Steve Philpott defeated Paul Smart & Potts 2140-1910.

The final match saw the Alma join the Lion in the next round, as they beat the Brickmakers Arms A 5-1.  The Brickies will play in the Plate competition after this result.  All the singles fell to the Alma , as Rick Cowdrey narrowly defeated Craig Lancaster 1400-1160, and then Dave Howarth (2350) and Bill Edwards (3080) also won.  Howarth & Edwards (4350) took the first doubles, before a consolation point for the Brickies was won by Paul Garlinge & Alan Holmwood.