Arguably the biggest week in the league of the season so far with key games in the top half of the table.
Forum A V Unpredictables
The Forum with just win to their names this season will be targeting the last three fixtures of the first half as 3 games to win (inc Warbank and Pot Luck) If they could turn out three wins they will be right back in the hunt to stay up and the final fixture in the 2nd half vs Pot Luck could be crucial if they are still in with a chance come the final week. The Unpredictables this term will be happy with mid table mediocrity and avoiding the relegation tustle after losing key players. I am going to go for 5-5
Propeller V Eagles
The Prop will have been gutted at their defeat at the hands of the Hot Shots last time out giving the edge back to the Eagles. The Prop seem to be able to stuff the lower ranked teams (i.e Forum 10- 0) but will need to find another gear to beat the Eagles who are yet to lose a game. Eagles on the back of consecutive wins against teams in the bottom half will also need to get their game faces on for the top of the table clash. The Eagles also have the Hot Shots next week so my feeling is that the season will be settled in weeks 18 & 19. 5 -5 draw
Cuemasters V Hot Shots
Cuemasters were not at the races last week and were lucky to come away with a share of the spoils. However on releflection a draw at the Jolly away come the end of the season will look like a good result against a good team as the Hot Shots found out when they were beaten 8-2 at the same venue. The Hot Shots however bounced back with a great win vs the Prop last week so will be up for keeping up the momentum and pulling themselves back in to within a single result of the top. Cuemasters will need to improve significantly but are hoping for a full strength squad to choose from this week. - 6 -4 Cuemasters
Eden V Warbank
An interesting fixture this one with the Warbank having had a couple of credible results this season and the Eden still stuck on just the one win in the first half. The Eden have the most draws in the league and have been struggling to find form in the first set. I think the Eden will win their remaining 3 fixtures of this half (inc Pot Luck and Jolly)
6-4 Eden
Patriots V Pot Luck
10 - 0 Patriots hang in their Pot Luck
Imperials V Jolly
Imperials got the ir first win of the season last week in the effective bye fixture vs the Pot Luck. The simple fact is they will need to win 4 or 5 games in the season to stand a chance of staying up. The Jolly are flying high deserving their place at the top of the league after some fantastic wins and draws. The argument is that they are a stronger team with home table advantage so this is a chance to prove otherwise. 4 - 6 Jolly
Forum v Unpredictables
On present form, the safe money is on an away win. Unpreds surrendered a big lead against us last time out, but have the experience to grind out results against the lower placed sides. Forum have so far this season been nothing short of dire. With the likes of Clarke & Bayliss in their ranks its hard to believe they have struggled each week. If they don't turn it around by mid February then a swift exit out the divsion one trap-door beckons. I'll go 7-3 Unpreds.
Propeller v Eagles
Quite rightly has the bragging rights as being the biggest and annual main attraction match of the Croydon pool league calendar. Wayne Pope back against his old team mates. Both sides are capable of destroying the other but it rarely happens and previous encounters over the past few seasons are normally tight. Man for man the Ex-Propeller Eagles side have more strength this season and the Original Prop are just lacking on that front. Who needs the win more tonight? The answer has to be the Prop given recent league and also cup results and maybe that will make them more hungry tonight. Eagles victory, 6-4.
Cuemasters v Hot Shots
Another top of the table clash. The inconsistent Hot Shots versus the Lewisham Pretenders to the crown. On paper, the Cuemasters this season are clearly the better side and remain in the hunt for the league title. Not sure any of them believe they can really win it, but no doubting they thoroughly deserve their top 4 spot. Hot Shots on the other hand, have a knack of defeating the better sides, have a small squad so everyone knows the plot before they turn up. Plus Hot Shots will enjoy the openess of the frames tonight as both sides attack, so I think this could go 6-4 either way. I'll side though with the team with home advantage.
Eden v Warbank
One win in the league this season and the new draw specialists, we can draw some comfort that our three league defeats have come against the top 5 sides. These are the games you have to take something from to maintain safety above the drop zone and Captain Truey has called for a more determined opening set from the Eden boys. Warbank were tipped to go down this season but have rallied well to produce some good results recently in both league and cup. Our matches are always close, and if our Knockout Cup meeting this season is anyhting to go, tonight's outsome will again come down to just a few key frames, between the sides key players. I expect us to roll out narrow winners.
Patriots v Pot Luck
Hard to see Pot Luck getting anymore than 1 frame.
Imperials v Jolly
The writing has been on the wall for a few weeks now for the Imps as they struggle to come to terms with life in division one. The only thing preventing a resounding away win here is that old chestnut of whether the Jolly travel well and play their best pool on away turf. In Sayers & Bensalem they have two players who can turn matches and that alone should be enough tonight. The Imps desperately need to a big win to draw some belief they can claw their way from relegation. I can only see an away win. 7-3 Jolly.
Edited by ThePower on 19-01-2010 17:00
pretty evenly matched this one forum and the predicts both have solid players so can see this finishing pretty even.
the prop 4 v 6 the eagles
big match of the night between the top 2 teams! the prop were strolling along almost machine like until they lost to the eden and then the hot shots to give the momentum to the eagles! cant see anything other than an away win.
eden 6 v 4 warbank
with home advantage id expect the eden to roll out a win tonight! its been a dissapointing season so far with a good squad im suprised they have only 1 win to show for the efforts in the leage this season! got some good players the warbank but eden to prevail.
cuemasters v the hot shots.
big match between 3rd n 4th and now even a local derby! when everyone was writing the hot shots off they proved themselves once again with a good win last time out v the prop! while not being the team they were they still deserve the upmost respect! after a lucky escape v the jolly we was looking to field a full strength team but with shanks n mcdonnell watching a dire team called charlton tonight that wont be the case! be a good match tho and could be anything from a draw to 6-4 either way.
patriots 10 v 0 pot luck
imps 3 v 7 jolly
i know nothing about the imps except there struggling where as the jolly are having a very impressive season so can see this being a comfortable away win.
