Latest Update Tuesday 23rd December 2004

‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ is a famous well worn phrase inherited from our ancestors throughout the passages of time and changing things just for the sake of it, is by and large a pointless exercise. However, the tired old format that has existed in our local league’s since it’s inception in 1932 has surely passed its sell by date.

Matches have tended to drag on for far too long, with fellow competitors fidgeting on the sidelines waiting for their turn at the table. In some cases this can mean a break of an hour or so. Player’s often come to the table cold and have to somehow rekindle their lapsed concentration for the resumption of the job in hand. Admittedly not all players feel the same way as me, but judging by the response to the new league format in the ‘Thursday Night Handicap Cash League’, many players are having second thoughts. All matches have a competitive edge and are done and dusted within ninety-minutes. During this time of frantic activity all participating players enjoy three sets of the best-of-games.

The most interesting aspect of the handicap system is undoubtedly the fact that it reduces every individual and team to a level playing field, and in theory gives every team an equal chance of grabbing the spoils at the end of the season. A glance at the latest league table clearly shows that this particular goal has been achieved.

The Tigers have been ably led by Mark Whiteley who has a remarkable average for a competition of this nature. Mark has embraced the new set-up with fire in his belly and has continued to defy the handicapper at every turn, the highlight of which was surely his last gasp victory over the Cheetah’s representative Alan Dickinson in week seven. Mark is beginning to reap the benefits of hard work and practice throughout the last six months and will prove a tough nut to crack at the ‘Closed Championships’ in April if continuing in this rich vein of form. The Tigers were dislodged from top-spot by the Leopards during the latest round of matches but are still very much in the thick of the action with only four games to go.

Matt Pinnell and Denise Scott have gelled exceptionally well and soared to the top of the league following their latest 4-1 triumph over the youth and experience of the Hyenas pairing, Jonny Giles and David Whiteley. It will be interesting to see if they manage to keep their grip on the situation over the coming weeks with the chasing pack snapping at their heels.

The Lions (Derek Harwood & Chris Kendall) did themselves a power of good when thumping the Bears 5-0 on their latest venture. They may have been a shade fortunate as a below-par Chris Lowson is still suffering from a hernia problem and the Yogi’s clearly missed the presence of promising junior player James Berry. This is no slight on stand-in reserve Tony Hemingway, who for all his undoubted talents as yet to register a win in eight appearances for various teams. The handicapper will take this into consideration in the future Tony, don’t panic!

Ever reliable Barry Snowden and youngster Tom Whiteley make-up the Panthers outfit and kept their title challenge on track despite succumbing by the odd set to the Cougars last time. Jaguar representative Allan Wright has really found his niche under this new format and will welcome a new allegiance with unflappable David Blackburn throughout the finishing straight as former Jaguar Steve Denham has retired from the competition.

The Cheetahs have missed the presence of John Lister in recent weeks but are still a force to be reckoned with if the Keighley-based player comes back firing on all cylinders and could yet stage a late rally.

Poor old Pumas are struggling to make an impact and are rooted at the bottom following their latest defeat to fellow stragglers the Zebras. Evergreen Ken Scott is more than holding his own but is going to need more support from team-mate Hugh Chambers over the home straight if they are to pull themselves from the mire. The Zebras on the other hand gave themselves a glimmer of hope with this latest victory. David Wood and Mick Curry have both been absent for two matches throughout the campaign and the duo cannot afford anymore slip-ups if they are to make a serious assault for honours.

The Monkeys are pottering along very quietly and should not be written off. Alex Giles and Shaun Forbes posses enough ammunition in their armoury to give any team a run for their money and may still have a say in the final outcome.

 So, who will emerge triumphant in their quest to grab the £170 winners’ cheque with only four matches remaining?

Leopards are the current leaders but their advantage is only very slender with the Tigers breathing down their necks. A whole host of contenders are queuing up in behind and any number of these teams could yet steal the front-runners thunder in the up and coming weeks. Pumas look the only team that can be realistically be ruled out for top honours but could still reach the money if they put a final flourish together. My own personal fancy are the Jaguars. David Blackburn has turned out at the last minute as a reserve every week to fill a void left by late withdrawals on the night and deserves a regular team slot. He takes the place of Steve Denham in the official line-up for the Jaguars and could prove an invaluable side-kick for gritty defender Allan Wright.

Whatever happens I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you all for taking part in this new venture. This obviously could not have taken place without your continued support and it is a pleasure to see the Halifax Centre thriving every other Thursday night with players from differing divisions pitting their skills against each other on an equal footing. I hope you all agree that this format is a step in the right direction and will be implemented at some stage during the summer months of 2005 if getting your seal of approval once more.