Fixtures Report: Winter League 2022/23 Week 2

Silktown A demonstrated again why they are International Rules A league champions two season running with a convincing 8-3 away win over Weaver C. Not to be out done by his team mate Adam last week, this week it was Ashley Roberts who made 8 ball clearances in 2 out of 2 frames. The second of which was particularly impressive given the split after the break – well worth seeking the video out on The Weaver’s YouTube channel. Eddie Williams responded with an 8 ball clearance of his own to give Weaver C some hope at 5-2, but the come-back was not to be as wins from Andrew McKie, Adam Stevens and Ashley Robert’s 2nd 8 ball closed the match out.

Weaver B also continued their unbeaten start to the season, the only other team in the A league to do so, beating the Flower Pot A 8-3 in the local “Congleton Road derby”.  Perhaps telling is that if it weren’t for the bonus 8 ball points, Weaver B would be tied at the top of league – suggesting once again the bonus points will play a key factor in the final league tables.

Team	P	G	F	B	PTS
Silktown Snooker A	2	2	16	6	26
Weaver B	2	2	16	1	21

The standout performance from the Macclesfield rules leagues had to be Flower Pot B’s 6-1 away over Three Crowns, themselves in fine form after a 7-0 victory over Nags Head A in the previous week. Most notably were the three back-to-back 8 ball clearances, first from Rob Oliver, then Captain Dave Leishman and finally Adam Jones. This secured them 3 bonus points and puts them 5 points clear at the top, continuing a perfect start to their first season in the A league.

The swiftness of the victory also gives them claim to the fastest match in league history, allegedly finishing at 9.20pm. Although this can’t be verified, it certainly puts paid to the claims that Macc rules matches go on all night! Although the histories do tell a many a match finishing well past midnight in years gone by, so perhaps more a sign of the times and overall improvement ability and playing conditions than rules themselves.

Some tasty fixtures this week, especially in the Macc rules A league, with early leaders Flower Pot B taking on Pack Horse A who are also unbeaten in their opening 2 matches. The only other unbeaten team in the league, Ivy Leaf B, take on defending champions Queens B with the home advantage – already some crucial ties early in the season.

Team	P	G	F	B	PTS
Flower Pot B C/Rd.	2	2	11	3	18
Pack Horse A	2	2	9	0	13
Ivy Leaf A	2	2	9	0	13
Three Crowns	2	1	8	1	11
Queens B	2	1	7	2	11