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Posted by berty on 23-11-2009 21:37

Ok so after a couple of weeks off with work stuff I thought I would get the old predictions rolling for the next installment of the enthralling 2009/2010 first division saga.

The way things are shaping up I am going to stick to my pre-season prediction of a clear bottom 6 and a clear top 6 come the end of the season. Prop have started well and a clear at the top however all the chasing pack have the gimme game against the Pot Luck to come so that gap with narrow. 4 weeks in to the league race we have no team who has won all 4 which is the reason why it is tight. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the bottom with 3 teams still to register their first wins.

This week throws up some more interesting fixtures:

CueMasters V Unpredictables
The Cuemasters have made a solid start in all competitions and will be targeting this game tonight as a must win. The Cuemasters boys have always struggled for players so to see 10 players turn up in the league cup last week was great to see. The squad is big enough this year and unlike other teams everyone who turns up plays regardless of the opposition. The Cuemasters strength in depth will be tested tonight as 3 key players are out for this fixture. The Unpredictables have had a mixed start with a pasting at the hands of the Hot Shots but more recently a win over the improving and impressive Jolly. This one will be tight. 6 - 4 Cuemasters

Imperials V Eagles
The Imps have had a tough start to the season with a solitary draw against the Eden being the highlight to date. A loss at the hands of the Forum is the most notable result to date as that fixture in the return could well decide their season. The Imps will need to improve if they are to stay up but a saving grace could be that only 2 relegation spots are to be decided this term(in addition to Pot Luck). Eagles have also started well but will have been frustrated at the draw against the Jolly and a missed black from Kyle to seal the deal against the Cuemasters. Eagles far too strong 8-2

Patriots V Propeller
The tie of the week without doubt shows more ex team mates than any other tie in modern sport. Propeller are strong make no mistake but will they give all their players a game tonight or will they rely on their top 5 once more? A Bench including Mcdonnell and Adams i surely too good to warm any bench but maybe not. Patriots have made some shrewd signings and are also yet to lose a game. Both team to maintain their unbeaten record 5- 5

Eden V Forum A
The Eden are yet to register their first win and will be eager to do so tonight. Lose this game and they will be looking to pick up their first win of the season in the next 2 weeks vs the Prop & Eagles which is no easy task. Forum A will be happy with their win at the Imperials but will be dissapointed with another heavy home defeat to the Patriots last time out. Eden to finally click and claim the win with home advantage. 6-4 Eden

Pot Luck V Hot Shots
Go on the Pot Luck who have won frames in their last 2 fixtures but Hot Shots even on the back of a draw and a loss in their last 2 will have far too much for the Pot Luck boys.
0 - 10 Hot Shots

Jolly V Warbank
2 very evenly matched sides who have both had notable results so far this term. The Jolly with a win and a great draw against the Eagles and the Warbank with a superb win at the Hot Shots. Come the end of the season I expect both these teams to be next to each other in the table above the drop zone. The Jolly are on the back of a dissapoiting loss to the Unpredictables and the Warbank are riding high after consecutive wins. Warbank to nudge it 6-4

Edited by berty on 23-11-2009 21:42

Posted by ThePower on 24-11-2009 17:28

Cuemasters -v- Unpredictables
Very impressive start to the season from the Cuemasters, draws against Prop and Ego's included in an unbeaten run. But will they freefall after their first defeat? Berty mentions each week the need to have a regular turn out of personnel for each game. Whether 10 (and Berty!) will turn up after a few defeats remains to be seen. Tonight's opponents Unpreds have all ready shown there inconsistency. A surprising win, in my view, against the Jolly then gets followed up with a defeat in the league cup to lower league opposition. The long trip to Lewisham is another factor and I can't see the Unpreds getting anything out of this tie on the Cuemasters current form. 7-3 Cuemasters.

Imperials -v- Eagles
A couple of draws for the current champions and the bookies slip them back out to even money to regain the title. But its points on the board that matter and the Eagles remain hot favourites even at this early stage to win another back to back titles. Imperials on the other hand have taken a thumping against the Prop and Patriots this season and need to find the belief they firstly deserve to be rubbing shoulders with these teams each week and then show they can compete with them. On current form there is no reason to think another big defeat is on its way tonight. 8-2 Ego's.

Patriots -v- Propeller
Headline act of this evening's division one fixtures. If Sky Sports camera's were in town this is where they would be. Jacko versus Macca. The Prop back at their old home venue, the scene of many victories and titles. Both teams have so many players who know each others games inside and out. The Prop have inbedded resilience in their performances and early indications suggest the current league leaders are not to be written off in this seasons title race. Patriots have been billed as the main threat to pre-season antepost crowned winners, the Ego's, and for that reason alone the Patriots just have to win these type of matches if they want a league title. No doubt about it, this is the Patriots first real test of the season. My heart says a draw but I think the Prop can dig in and come away with a 6-4 win.

Eden -v- Forum
Last weeks league cup win was needed for the Eden boys, just to get that taste back of winning a game. Two stubborn draws from the Eden in the league notably the fight back last time out away in Lewisham against the Hot Shots. Defeats against the Cuemasters & Patriots is no disgrace especially as we feel we deserved more from both ties. If Truey can muster ahead of tonight a full squad for the first time this season that would be the first bonus. Forum have had an indifferent start to the season and maybe last season's high of winning Div 2 and claiming the Knockout Cup has lead to them taking their foot off the gas. Whatever happens tonight both sides go into tonight needing a win to climb the table. 6-4 Eden.

Pot Luck -v- Hot Shots
There is not much to say (pool terms) about this one. Credit to Pot Luck for turning up and giving it a go. Last week in the league cup, a 7-3 defeat to division 4 side Forum B, was the Pot Luck's best result so far and three frames is an improvement. Hot Shots though are a totally different gravy to the Forum B and they shouldn't lose a frame but I reckon Pot Luck may pinch one. 9-1 Hot Shots.
On another note, Berty mentioned above only two teams relegated this season along with Pot Luck. My understanding was its still 3 down and the Pot Luck deemed a new team in Div 5? Can anyone clarify?

Jolly -v- Warbank
A good home draw and then a big defeat against the Unpreds has shown the Jolly are suffering early on from a bout of inconsistency. The Warbank on the other hand defeated Hot Shots recently but then followed that win with a loss in the league cup against the same opposition. Home advantage for both these teams is a huge factor. The Warbank need victories from these type of fixtures and when it comes to the end of the season these games matter not what you take from the Ego's, Prop etc. The Jolly rarely get rolled over at home by most sides and it comes down again to strength in depth in their squads. The Jolly are just better equipped. Warbank will need a big team effort to prevent a home win and I'll predict a 7-3 wn to the Jolly.

Edited by ThePower on 24-11-2009 17:42

Posted by Spud on 24-11-2009 23:28

The Cuemasters 5 -5 Unpredictables

I would have tipped the Cuemasters for a 7-3 on the evidence I saw 2 weeks ago, however, Berty's declaration of "3 Key Players missing" has made me shuffle my hand.
I still think they'll be good enough to retain their unbeaten start though.

The Imperials 2 - 8 The Eagles

No disrespect intended to the Imps, however, we're aiming for a win, and a big one if we can. With the Prop and the Patriots nicking points off eachother, tonight is a good oppurtunity to gain a little ground.

Patriots 6 - 4 The Propeller

I'll take the Pats to nudge it, with home advantage.
Agree with everyone so far, this should be an excellent match.

Eden 6 - 4 Forum

They have the slight edge on them in the table, and I'll take them to edge this contest, again, home advantage being key.
An Eden win is well due, and this is a match they will certainly fancy them selves for.

Pot Luck 1 - 9 Hot Shots

The Pot Luck boys are in their stride now. They know what to expect, and despite perhaps not having the skills to stop the inevitable, they do at least have the team spirit and courage to avoid future white washes.

The Jolly 5 - 5 The Warbank

The Warbank.
They're only 4 points behins the Patriots. . . only 3 behind the Cue Masters, and look at the praise those teams are getting, so it's fair to say I think people may have under-estimated them a wee bit.
One of the tougher away fixtures in the division tonight though, so they'll do well for 5. The Jolly, as usual, will make life very difficult in South Norwood, a very tough nut to crack.