Last April saw one of the tensest Interleague finals ever as Trent Trophies A were struggling to keep pace with the onslaught of the Alloa’s who had reached the winning line with a three frame cushion. Trent Trophies had to use all their wealth of experience to claw their way back in to the match. Then when it seemed inevitable that Trent Trophies would draw level the Alloa’s had a great opportunity to put the match to bed. When they failed, it took two monster pots from Trent Trophies Dave Williams to level the match under enormous pressure. However he held himself together and potted them. This allowed Lee Kendall, Gareth Potts and Daz Henshall to come forward and show us all why they are the number 1 Interleague team in England. They won the play off 2-1. It was such a shame to see the Alloa’s fail to lift the trophy when it was theirs for the taking but then they were playing Trent Trophies A. Only a team like Trent Trophies could have pulled a match so far out of their reach out of the fire and turned it round so that they ran out the winners.

Still that was last year. We are now in the run up to the 2004 edition and Trent Trophies will be going for another win whilst the Alloa’s will be determined to go one better. The name of the Alloa’s is, in Interleague circles, as famous as the super star teams like Trent Trophies, Imperial I, Wolverhampton Wednesday, Morley International and Barking Elite but their players individually are not as well known. We have highlighted the team elsewhere on the site (All’oas - A potted history)

Where better to start the overview on the draw than on table one where it is traditional that the winners open their defence of their title.

Table One
When the draw was made it seemed that Trent Trophies (Staffordshire) had a nice group that wouldn’t give them too much trouble. Daventry have the potential to take Trent Trophies out but you would still expect Trent to win the group. As I started to write this I decided to have a look at their first opponent’s team registration sheet because I wasn’t too familiar with the Mexborough line up: its not one of the regular Interleague names. Then, as I looked down the sheet I realised that this Mexborough team line looks as good as Trent Trophies. It’s not going to be easy for any of the teams to get out of this group. I think that it might well qualify as the toughest group match ever in the history of the Interleague. Look at the Trent trophies line up of Nick Weller, Lee Kendall, Gaz Potts, Daz Henshall, Steve Bridgewood, Darren Lightfoot, Mark Blackshaw, Adam Davis, Phil Condliffe and Carl Morris.

That is an awesome line up of pool players. However, now look at the Mexborough line up of Tom Farrely, John Astill, Lee Smith, Alistair Bailie, Glyn Khan, John Waller, Gavin Preskey. Martin Hazell, Paul Greenwood, Lee Denman and Mark Berriman. Whilst the names may not be as well known as the Trent Trophies boys they are none the less a quality line up. It will not be a surprise to see Trent Trophies go out in the group stage. Yes, I believe that for the first time in their history Trent trophies may not even make it out of the group stage. I think that I may well spend some time looking at this tussle. That’s how big I think this match is. It may well be history in the making and I for one don’t want to miss it. Believe me when I say that this match, had the draw been kinder to both these teams, could have been the final

The third team in the group Daventry (Northants) will be waiting for the losers of the above match. Daventry are a team with a long history in the Interleague and is the team that makes this group a true “group of death”. Daventry are seasoned campaigners and will not worry too much about the players in the other teams. They have real potential to decide who will win the group, if they do not, providing the other two hit each other so hard that they leave each other a little punch drunk then I can see Daventry nipping in a taking the group but they are going to have to play to their full potential. Having written all that I am still going to tip Trent Trophies to win the group, based on the fact that they have so much experience in dealing with tricky situations and still coming out on top, that it is unthinkable not to have them in the knock out section.

Table Two
C.O.B.H.P.L. B (Sussex) are Interleague regulars led by Andy Williams. Every now and again they show everyone what they are capable of but not often enough to make them definite group winners. Their first challenge will be to get past Leicester who are previous finalists in this event. Leicester will be a real test for C.O.B.H.P.L. This match will be a test of Brighton’s metal. That said, Leicester with the ever present Steve Robertshaw, in charge of team selection for Leicester, will know what has to be done to negotiate their way past Brighton B. The first two groups drawn out have pitted teams together who would normally expect to cruise to the knock out section but are going to have to fight every inch of the way just to get out of the group. C.O.B.H.P.L B will be looking to John Cairns Jnr, Nick Pearson & David to steer them through the group. Leicester will be pinning their hopes on their Skipper, and usually Mr Reliable, Steve Robertshaw coming up with the goods along with other regulars Dave Wileman, Mark Selby to keep them on course for another final appearance.

Whilst the one previous two teams are the most likely to win the group you can’t write off Oxfordshire’s Bicester. They have been here a few times before and this could be the year they move out of the “here for the beer group” and into the last 32 Club but when all things are considered I will go for Leicester to win the group

Table Three
Given the mouth watering groups above, this group is a return to normality with all the teams fairly even. The opening tie in the group is Cumbria’s Kendal led by Ian Preston taking on the vastly more experienced Bedworth (Warwickshire) led by Garry Calcott. Although Kendal have some quality players the overall strength of Bedworth, with players like Baz Hinde, Tim Singh & Liam Farrell, given that amount of firepower Bedworth should have enough to get past Kendal. The third team in this group is one of my personal favourites, Walsall Select (West Midlands). Why are they one of my favourites? They are the “home” team of the great Ivor Powell, the man who has done more than anyone to make this competition what is today. Having Walsall Select in the event is a link to the great man who sadly is no longer with us. For me the Interleague would not be complete without them. Unfortunately, I can’t see them winning the group but it is enough that they are here. My feelings for this group go with Bedworth.

Table Four
This group kicks of with yet another “belter” with Ollerton (Nottinghamshire), previous Interleague finalists, taking on Bedfordshire’s Bedford A. Ollerton have a long tradition of being a tough team to beat. With players like Neil Jones, Gary Mcleod and England International Kev Seaman you can see why they are so hard to beat. Bedford A can’t match that line up but they do have the backbone of Bedfordshire A’s county squad with captain James Griffin, Paul Frith, Terry Teivans and Trevor Simms they will be no push over. I can see this match going to 9-9. This means that Nuneaton will have a great chance of steeling a march by beating whoever they play. Although in reality I think the winners of this group will be decided in the first match and my vote goes to Ollerton, but only just.

Table Five
This group is tough one to predict because it has three teams with different attributes, Medway (Kent) open the group with a match against Wolverhampton Misfits (West Midlands), this should be a close match with Medway coming out on top. Leaving Wolverhampton Misfits to face Beverley A (East Yorkshire). Beverly A with Captain Lee Oxley and Neil Rookes should prove too strong for the West Midlands outfit. With Beverley going on to play Medway for the Group. Beverley should have enough experience in their line up to get past Medway and win the group.

Table Six
Rugby (Warwickshire) are perennial Yarmouth qualifiers but skipper, Paul Evans will have a tough time picking his team to win the opening match in the group. The reason for this is they will be facing Garreth Hibbott’s Preston (Lancashire). Although Preston are new to the Interleague they have made a few inroads to the latter stages. Hibbott is the 2003 England’s top ranked county player for 2003, added to that Nick Davey and John Rimmer and its easy to see why they do well. Rugby, for their part, field players like Andy Barnett, who qualified as a full England International last month and Roger Hunt. Despite that I think Preston will win this match. Leicester County are the third team in the group and will face the losers of match one. Leicester County may not have players with the reputations of the other two teams in the group but they have been here many times before and will know what they have to do. All things considered I still feel Preston will be the eventual group winners.

Table Seven
This group contains East Yorkshire’s Sheffield I.P.L. who are growing in experience all the time and their first opponents Essex’s Colchester are not regulars at the Interleague, but captain Dean Blowes has experienced players like Darren Sadler to call on. This match may well be a 9-9 since both teams are well balanced. The same cannot be said for the third team in the group Nottingham’s Sun Valley. Sun Valley are one of the top 16 Interleague teams in England and will feel reasonably comfortable in getting to the knockout stage. If you had Current England internationals Bayden Jackson & Lee Howitt, Welsh International Neil Jones and Mr Steady himself captain Jim I’Anson in your team you would be fairly confident as well. I can’t see Colchester or Sheffield upsetting Sun Valley’s apple cart.

Table Eight
Romney Marsh (Kent) kick this group off with their clash with Shropshire’s Dawley A. Captain Olwyn Blagborough is used to guiding her team through to the latter stages of the event. If this trend is not to continue then Romney Marsh will have to use their collective A game. Waitng for the losers of match 1 will be Warwickshire’s Coventry. Coventry are, like Dawley, a team that expects to do well by right and history does not contradict that. So when the teams meet it should be to decide who will go going through to the knock out stage. Looking at the two team sheets I will go for Dawley to go forward and Coventry to make the short trip to the bar to drown their sorrows.

Table Nine
This group has three teams who are very closely matched. Wisbech (Cambs) start the ball rolling when they take on Penwith (Cornwall), Penwith, led by Daniel Darlington, will be looking to get a good start against Wisbech but then so will Wisbech. Penwith, with Matthew Cook in their line, should have just enough to get passed Wisbech. Grantham are Interleague newcomers but they have shown they have teeth in their few appearances here so I am going to pick them to just pip Penwith to win the group.

Table Ten
This group has three big boys going head to head. Rochester (Kent) open their campaign with a tough match against Brierley Hill, both teams have players well used to this level of pool. Rochester are now made up with the remnants of Barking Elite alongside the top players from Rochester to form a team known as Rochester Elite. When you look at their team they really do look top class with Ian Kettle, Ian Hubbard, Darren Collison, Rob Hill and Mark Hewitson. With a line up like that you wouldn’t bet against them going all the way but this is the group stage. And Rochester in recent years have not really lived up to their potential. Brierley Hill can’t match the names of Rochester but can win frames, players like Captain Dave Preece, Rod Bannister and Liam Driver won’t be phased by Rochester and will give as good as they get. But Rochester should win after having endured a tough battle. The third team in the group, Milton Keynes A, have players used to playing at this level. With the likes of Adam Marlow, Scott Willers & Paul Sedman in their team they will take on the losers of match one expecting to set up a decider with the winners of the first match.

I think that Brierley Hill will win the match and by doing so will leave Milton Keynes too big a task to do when they play Rochester.

Table Eleven
Durham’s Horden take on Friar Tuck (Nottinghamshire). Friar Tuck have been here a few times but have yet to crack the Top 16 spot. That said, they are no slouches and Horden will have to play well to get anything out of this match. If Friar Tuck’s Nick McEvoy, Mick Egan, James & Leon Hill hit form it will be up to skipper John Bourne & James Evans to keep Horden’s hopes alive. Waiting for the winners of this will be Ulverston (Cumbria) led by Ian McMurdo. Although Ulverston are a good side I don’t think they will be able to cope with the Friar Tuck big hitters who will win the group for Friar Tuck.

Table Twelve
Kettering (Northants) have some quality players in their line up like ex England internationals Bob Love & Graham Berruto. City of Leicester can’t claim any Internationals but they have been around the block in Interleague terms so they know what they have to overcome if they want to progress. Leicester’s captain will need to pick his team wisely if they are to stop Kettering. Newbold (Notts) will take on whoever wins the opening match. Newbold are here for the first time in quite a while so it’s hard to work out their chances but given that they will not be too used to the atmosphere that surrounds the Interleague I can’t see them winning the group. So my gut feeling for this group is the experience at Kettering’s disposal will see them through.

Table Thirteen
Radstock (Somerset) start their campaign against Lye & Stourbridge (West Midlands) which should be a tough match for both teams. They have a massive amount of history in the Interleague and whoever wins this one will be favourites for the group. Lye & Stourbridge have Neil Saunders with all his experience to call on if he needs it. Radstock have Ken Bull who has just as much experience at picking a winning line up so it will be interesting. My vote goes to Lye & Stourbridge. New Barnet III (Herts) have a star studded line up with Declan Casey, ex 9 ball pro, Kyle Merrigan recently inducted in to the England youth squad & Tom Gilvary a 3PO professional. They will be strong contenders when they join the fray taking on the winners of match one. However, the down side to New Barnet is their collective lack of “Yarmouth Experience” that can be worth up to 3 frames. This I believe will allow Lye and Stourbridge to win the group but it may well need a play off.

Table Fourteen
Ely (Cambs) with I.P.A. Tour Players Dale Parson & Iain Aldous will be a tough nut for Crawley (Surrey) to crack but Ely will be without the services of Phil Harrison. Even so I think Ely will be too strong for Crawley. The third team in the group Hucknall (Notts) are Yarmouth regulars but I can’t see them beating Ely. Their match with Crawley might give them the push they will need to get past Ely but if they lose against Crawley then Ely should be able to reach the last 32 on cruise control.

Table Fifteen
This will be St Albans Saints second visit to the Interleague and they will be keen to make a mark on the event. In their line up the have a collection of county players like Gordon Fyvie, Kris Pillay, Rob England, Dave Prideux & Andy Barker. Their opening match against Imperial II (London) will be a rude awakening for them because although Imperial II are the second string their players are not that far behind their well known stable mates. I think that Imperial will hit St Albans Saints hard but if the Saints don’t drop their heads they have the ability to go all the way and maybe even draw.
Shrewsbury (Shropshire) is where Imperial’s real threat comes from. Shrewsbury have been putting teams out of the Interleague for the past few years now and will not be overly worried about Imperial. For this reason I will go for Shrewsbury but it won’t be a walk in the park win.

Table Sixteen
This table has one of the truly great Interleague teams in Wolverhampton Wednesday (West Midlands). At one time this team was the No 1 Interleague team in England but have not been too well over the past few years. That of course is subjective as they are a mighty big obstacle to get past. Their players names are part of Interleague folklore. Names like Kev Cresswell, Ritchie Foxall, Pat Ward & Chris Morgan. Their first opponents will be Reigate (Surrey): no disrespect to Reigate but I just can’t see that they have the necessary depth of quality players to beat Wolverhampton Wednesday. The third team in the group Milton Keynes B in are in the same boat as Reigate, they have some quality players in their line up but not as many as Wolverhampton Wednesday so I can’t see them troubling Wolverhampton Wednesday either. For Wolverhampton Wednesday the competition starts in the knock out section.

Table Seventeen
On this table Gravesham A (Kent) take on Oxfordshire’s Didcot in the group opener. Both teams have enough experience to make it a very tough match to predict. However, Gravesham have faired better over the years here so I think that experience of winning will be just enough to see Gravesham over the winning line. If this prediction comes true then Didcot will take on the third team in the group. East Herts. This is a team that have become new members of the elite “top 16” club and they should have enough to deal with Didcot. Captain Neil Toms, an I.P.A. professsional, can call on Ex England youth International Danny Miller and Tour Players Tony Vickers, Mark Thrussell and Andy Collett. As well as Ex tour player Dave Langham so I can only see them winning but I doubt that it will be as easy as I make it sound..

Table Eighteen
This group has three teams in it that would in a different group win the group but they have drawn each other so two will have to go. Regency (Linconshire) led by Dave Coutts will have to keep their wits about them if they are to overcome Surrey's Godalming, led by Steve Brooker. Godalming have made it to the last sixteen before so they will feel they should be the group winners. With son Max Brooker, Darren Dodds and Lee Hudson all finishing last season on 100% you can see why. Shaun Sartin Yeovil (Somerset) will need to study the above match for ways to beat both teams if they are to go through. I think the group winners will come from the first match and I think that will be Godalming.

Table Nineteen
Grove Elite (West Yorkshire) take on Surrey Warriors (Surrey). Grove Elite are relative newcomers to the Interleague whilst Surrey Warriors are elder statesman of the event. That said, it does not give Surrey Warriors any right to expect an easy passage. In fact I think that Grove Elite may well nick this one right at the death and force Surrey to take on Dawley B in a last ditch attempt to keep their Interleague alive. But Dawley B are a solid team and won’t let Surrey Warriors off the hook that lightly. It will be close but I think Dawley will eventually kill off Surrey Warriors.

This means Dawley will take on Grove Elite for the group, and, like the previous two matches in this group it is going to be close but my vote goes to Dawley because they have more experience than Grove Elite and in the end that will tell.

Table Twenty
Bedford B (Bedfordshire) take on Thurrock (London) in the opening match in this group and like all the groups it is all important that you win it or the chances of your team winning the group are very slim. Thurrock look good to beat Bedford B but a lot will depend on how John Webb and Ricky Lazarus do. Afford B (Staffs) are a new name in the Interleague but some of their players certainly are not so when they, if things go the way I see it, take on Thurrock for the group it will be nip & tuck all the way. But I think Thurrock will just have enough to get past a determined resistance from Afford B.

Table Twenty-one
This Group sees a return to the one horsed race groups. London’s Imperial I with Skipper Dean Wisher choosing his team from England international Andy Breen, Ramesh Gokhul, J.J. Faul, Brian Evans, Darren Suchley, John Traini, Ben Clements & John Wylie you could be forgiven for thinking that Imperial will win the event without even trying. Life is never that simple though, Imperial’s first hurdle will be to get past Braintree (Essex). That in all honesty should not be beyond Imperial. That is not to imply that Braintree will roll over but they just haven’t got the strength in depth to go head to head with Imperial.. The third team in this grouping is Chesterfield (Notts), they too will struggle against Imperial for the same reasons but they are more likely to give Imperial a run for their money. They have in the past reached the hallowed last sixteen and if you do that you can mix it with anyone. But when push comes to shove you still come to the conclusion that Imperial will win the group.

Table Twenty-Two
P.J.’s Stourbridge (West Midlands) are another of the top Interleague teams and one that you don’t expect to do anything else except win and keep on doing so until the business end of the event. And I think it’s fair to say that they have taken over from Wolverhampton Wednesday as the west Midlands No 1 team. And when you look at their line up you can see why. Bude (Cornwall) are the first teams to play P.J.'s Stourbridge. They will have to be at the top of their collective game to avoid a large difference in the for and against column. If they keep their wits about them and don’t give away any silly frames they will be able to keep in touch. But I can’t see them having enough to beat P.J.'s Stourbridge. The third team in the group is Dunstable (Bedfordshire). They should be able to give Bude a good match but I can’t see them challenging P.J.'s Stourbridge for the group. That said when Dunstable play both teams will know they have been in a match….or at least their eardrums will. Dunstable captain has been known to be very vocal in his encouragement of his team. When all is said and done P.J.'s Stourbridge, minus their eardrums maybe, will win the group.

Table Twenty-Three
The only team in this group I have any real knowledge of is Sheppey A. They have been here a few times now and are getting better all the time, even after losing Kurt Morris. They take on Swanage (Dorset) who are not one of the regular teams at Yarmouth so it makes it very hard to call. In cases like this I have to default to the known team because they are the ones who tend to do better here. The third team in the group, East Northants, have been here a few times over the past two or three years but not yet made their mark. Maybe this could be the year for them to do it so. I will go for East Northants to win the group but it will probably be after a play off with Sheppey A

Table Twenty-Four
In a twist of fate this table’s first match is a carbon copy of group two in so much as C.O.B.H.P.L. A.(Sussex) face a team from Leicester just like their B team. Brighton are Interleague under achievers, at least, that is the feeling you get when you look at how strong their team is then compare that to their recent run of results in this event. Every now and again they show everyone what they are capable of but all too often follow it that up with a mediocre performance. Their first challenge will be to get past Leicester & District who are pretty much a Ladies team. The bad news from Brighton’s point of view is that the ladies are all seasoned campaigners. Leicester will be a real test for C.O.B.H.P.L. because assisting captain Carolyn Bowkett will be Charlene Gibson, Chris Kirk, Stephanie Kirk and Sarah Day, all strong players, and more than capable of proving that this game is about ability not sex. C.O.B.H.P.L. A will be looking to Darren Welfare, Moray Dolan, Pete Ashman & Mark Proto to steer them through this tough group. I feel that despite the obvious pitfalls in this match Brighton will come through but all their top players will have to play well if they are going to do so. Third team in the group Luton (Bedfordshire) will get to play the losers of the first match. Darren Reese their captain should study the first match closely in order to pick up on any weaknesses of the other two teams because they will have to exploit them if they are going to have any joy in this group. Luton have a good team but the other two teams in the group have a lot more experience.

Table Twenty-Five
Eastbourne (Sussex) is new to the Interleague and their first match against Leicestershire’s Club 147 the difference in experience between the two teams is stark. Club 147 are seasoned campaigners and know their way around a pool table. Eastbourne will need players like Alan Bennett, Mark Galt and Paul Richardson to play well if they are to do well. Club 147 will be looking to Ram Vadher along with Minesh Karsanji, Vinod Allen and Dharhendra Dhanak to use all the experience they have gained to date to steer them through. The third team in the Group are Hertford (Herts) who are veterans of the Interleague but they never seem to be able to play well as a team despite having some great players in their team. I can’t see that trend ending this time round either so it’s Club 147 for me.

Table Twenty-Six
This group has three teams that I know very little about mainly because none of them are regulars here but of the three, Village Pool League (Northants) has been here most times. Folkestone (Kent) take on Village Pool League in the first match and if as I suspect the Village Pool League win this match then they will be on their way to winning the group. This will set up an interesting tussle between Dinnington (South Yorkshire) because it will give Dinnington an excellent chance to set up a head to head with Village Pool League to go through to the knockout section. I don’t mean to be nasty to any of the teams in this group but it is probably the easiest (on paper) group to come out of. On the other hand I could be totally wrong and one of the teams are so good they batter the other two. We will just have to wait and see.

Table Twenty-Seven
This table kicks of with Leek (Staffordshire) taking on Gosport (Hampshire). Both teams have history in this event so I would assume that it will be tight. Of the two team Nick Burton’s Leek have the more experience so it’ll be close but I will tip Leek to just edge it. The prize for Gosport is to go head to head with Triangle (West Yorkshire). Now Triangle might just be a new name to you in the Interleague but that is because they have changed their name…….They used to be Morley International. Triangle are their new name but the quality remains the same. Ralph Winfield, when he moved back to West Yorkshire, inherited what can only be described as the Rolls Royce of Interleague teams. If Trent Trophies A are the mark by which all teams must gauge their success then Triangle would be the style by which you would by choice choose to play to achieve it.

All that may sound over the top but look at it through their team list, Darren Appleton, Chris Melling, Mick Hill, Shane Appleton, Vikki Layton, Karl Milner and Rob Gale. Admittedly Mick Hill has not played enough frames to qualify for this event but he is still a team member. After all that I can’t see any farther than triangle to win this group but what an opportunity it is for the teams they are playing to play a competitive match against some of the best players in the world.

Table Twenty-Eight
This will be a cracking group to be part of and very hard to escape from as all three teams are pretty good. It opens with Gainsborough (Nottinghamshire) testing their metal against Hampshire’s Winchester. This should be a close tie and waiting for the losers will be one of the doyens of the Interleague, Wigan (Lancashire). Wigan, with Ian Davenport, Geoff Harrison, Glen Cahir and Sawn Dauber to name just a few. It just wouldn’t be the Interleague without them. Anyway back to the group. I think Winchester will just edge out Gainsborough which should mean that Winchester and Wigan will go head to head in the third match to decide who will make to the knock out section. My feelings are with Wigan because they normally make it out of the group.

Table Twenty-Nine
The groups with at least two big teams in them just keep coming and this group is big which ever way you look at it. Tolworth (Surrey) are a top team, led by Paul Brooks they have Jason Norris, Andy Sutherland, Cliff Eastwood & Matt Cooke in their line up. With players of that calibre their opposition Afford B (Staffordshire), Afford have some good players themselves. Players like Skipper Mark Copeland, Andy Critchlow and Daz Shone, but they will have to play at the top of their game if they are to get any change out of Tolworth. Looking at the two teams, Tolworth look more likely to get the win. Once that match is over the Mighty Alloa’s enter the fray. I can’t see Afford B having what it will take to beat the Alloa’s so it will be a fight to the death for Tolworth and the Alloa’s to see who comes out of the group. The Alloa’s skipper Kevin O’Halloran has guided his team through some very rough seas over the years here and the overall strength of the Alloa’s should be enough to lever Tolworth out of the event but boy will it be interesting to watch. If you are interested, there is a feature on the Alloa's giving you a brief history on one the big boys in the Interleague.

Table Thirty
Aylesbury (Bucks) take on Holderness from East Yorkshire. This is Aylesbury’s first visit here so although they could win I think Holderness will be a bit too strong for Aylesbury. Once they have lost waiting for them will be Tolworth Ladies. Tolworth Ladies (Surrey) are well used to playing in the ladies Interleague so the transition to the male edition should cause no problems for them. I fancy them to beat Aylesbury but I can’t see the ladies upsetting the form book and beating Holderness.

Table Thirty-One
Trent Trophies B (Staffordshire) will take on the Thursday Club Pool league (Northants) and given the success of Trent Trophies B over the past few years should see them safely through this match. Brighton P (Sussex) will then take on Thursday Club Pool league. Jodie Stainer’s team should be able to give Thursday Club Pool league a good match, in fact it may well be that because of losing to Trent Trophies B, the Thursday Club Pool league may well have lost some of their will to win. That would mean that would mean that Brighton P will take on Trent Trophies B for the group win but although Brighton will in with a shout I can’t see Trent Trophies B losing.

Table Thirty-Two
The final match in the group stage pits Barking Phoenix (Essex) led by Alan “straight to plate” Pointer. They take on Hyndburn (Lancashire) led by John “top middle or bottom” Chapman. Both of these captain’s know what to do to win matches so this will be an interesting battle. For Barking captain Zed will rely on big game players like Steve Adams, Andy Holland and Wayne Pardon. Hydburn will counter this threat with big hitters like Paul Fraser and Jonathan Dean.

All in all I think Hyndburn will just have enough at the back end of this match to win by the odd frame or two. Awaiting for the losers of this match will be Goole (East Yorkshire). It will be interesting in this group as I think that despite losing the first match Barking will still be in with a shout because I think they will do to Goole what Hyndburn did to Barking. That means that when Goole take on Hyndburn all three teams can still win this group. Barking will be supporting Goole as their ticket to the final stages. Goole will know that if they beat Hyndburn convincingly enough they will go through. Whilst for Hyndburn avoiding a defeat will see them through. That is what I think will happen: Hyndburn will win the group by drawing with Goole.

Tom Fahy
Tournament Director