Oxfordshire County Pool Federation Issue 1 January 2009 T HE BLACKBALL FLYER The newsletter for Oxfordshire’s Blackball County Pool team—all the latest news and events INSIDE THIS ISSUE: HEADING FOR SELSEY... It’s been another successful The Ladies made a strong 3 encounters does put them Heading for Selsey... 1 year for OCPF, and the time start to the season, and have favourites to hold onto their is fast approaching when the been top of the regional table spot at the top of the region. County Trials 1 Oxfordshire teams will be all season. One more win But anything can happen... tested on the National from the last two games will stage… make qualification for Na- Ladies B Captain 1 The Men’s A are unfortu- tional Finals a certainty. nately languishing toward Rankings Round-up 2 But how have we the bottom of the re- done in the region? gional table. But their Diary Dates 2 Which teams have hopes of returning to qualified for National Selsey and repeating the 2 finals? And which heroics of two years ago Youth Pool Series team is favorite to are not yet lost — a win bring home some against Bristol should be 2 Pool Quiz silverware this year? enough to see them scrape through in the The facts: last qualification spot. The Youth A and B teams and the Mens • Oxford fields six teams, B have already se- The Men’s B2 may still competing against up to 7 cured their qualifica- be able to qualify for different counties in the tion spots, and will Mens A - National Runners-up - 2007 Selsey for the first time region, playing roughly one definitely be repre- ever. The addition of an match a month, to Blackball senting Oxfordshire at Selsey extra qualification spot rules. in March. Indeed the ladies section is means they have an outside very close at the top, and chance if they can pull off an • Each year the ladies, two given the Oxford team’s upset against Berkshire B, youth and three mens’ The Men’s B have had a strong frame difference, the and beat Bristol. teams compete throughout storming season, one of their ladies can still win the group, the year to claim one of the most successful years to especially if W.Berkshire qualification spots for the date. They have already record a win against Hamp- All in there should be at least National Finals held at Sel- qualified for Selsey, and are four Oxford teams at Selsey shire next week. sey in March in with a terrific chance of this year. Hopes for success finishing top of the region, most probably rest with the • Youth A & B and Mens B having lead the table since The Youth A always have a Men’s B, Ladies and Youth A. have already qualified. La- close battle with their Berk- early in the season. Only dies, Mens A and Mens B2 rivals Hampshire can stop shire rivals, and this season is will all be decided in the them now… but Oxford’s no exception. It usually Fingers crossed we’ll be next few weeks. superior frame difference comes down to the results cheering for someone on the should hopefully see them between the two teams, and final day at Selsey. And of course there’s always the • National finals is a chance through. Berkshire having won 2 out of for teams to prove them- singles... selves against the other top teams in the country. C OUNTY N EW LADIES B TEAM • Teams who finish top of their respective region re- T RIALS - CAPTAIN NEEDED ceive trophies, and there are County trials are coming up For the 2009/10 season Oxford Ladies are looking to expand their trophies and financial incen- on March 15th at Rileys successful A team. tives for teams who reach (Between Towns Road). A lady is needed to take on the role of B Team Captain, responsibili- the finals at Selsey. Matches will be played to ties to include team selection, organising transport, and captaining Blackball rules; anyone in the team at matches. A full playing squad position is available to the • In 2007 the Men’s A team the county is welcome to successful applicant. The main qualities we are looking for is enthu- recorded Oxford’s best trial on the day. siasm and organisation—you do not necessarily need to be an exist- ing player or have experience as a pool captain. achievement to date, reach- Put your name forward to Nicki Hoskins by Sunday 8th February - ing the final of the main Men—10.30am event - second best team in 07740356398 - [email protected]. Youth & Ladies—2.30pm the country!! The existing ladies squad will vote on nominations on 15 February. The Blackball Flyer Page 2 I N THE HUNT FOR PERSONAL GLORY... “The end of the season Although County Pool is Jamie Saczak have only two first and foremost a team frames separating them. is near, and qualification game, there is also oppor- tunity for individual honors. for an England Trial is OCPF recognizes out- More crucially, there is also standing achievement with the opportunity for players within my grasp...” a trophy for best Male, who finish in the top 10 of Female and Youth player of the regional rankings (excluding existing England the season. players) to qualify for an England trial. B team player John Street has put in a remarkable Captain of the ladies Nicki performance this season, Qualifiers wont be known Y OUTH POOL Hoskins is just ahead in the until all results are in in Feb- and currently tops the race for the Ladies title, but Oxford ranking for both A ruary. However the following SERIES with Jaz Venning just a frame players are within reach of a and B men, as well as be- behind, every win will count. The 2008/09 Youth pool trial, depending on the out- ing top of the regional B These two players are also series has reached its con- team rankings. Team- come of the last few games. top of the regional rankings. clusion. mates Shaun Taylor and This competition is open to Ben Scott are also within For the men, Matthew Chal- all youth players in the area, striking distance, but as It’s really close in the youth len leads the charge, with not just Oxfordshire County long as John holds on for rankings, and any one of four Jamie Street and Lee Brown- pool players. the last couple of games he players can still finish top. John also able to qualify, and This year top honours went will take home the trophy. Luke Ingram, Peter de Lauren Thomas may be able to Rhys Freemire, with An- Banks, Rhys Freemire and to qualify for the ladies. drew Gee taking runner-up spot. D IARY DATES 8th February - Last county match of the season & final standings/seedings for finals announced 15th February - Regional statistics finalized and England trialists announced 15th February - Ladies & Youth County Singles Championship (players from 2008/09 season) 22nd February - Mens County Singles Championship (open to all players from 2008/09 season) 6th - 8th March - National finals at Selsey 15th March - AGM at Rileys from 9.30am. Come and have your say! 15th March - Mens County Trials from 10.30am; Ladies and Youth from 2.30pm 29 March - Squad Day - Single frame knockout (open to all 2009/10 squad members) 4th -11th April - World Championships - players representing England will travel to Bridlington 12 April - Likely to be first county match of 2009/10 season (t.b.c) For more information or any queries, contact County Manager John Kinsey on 07880723844 CLUES: P OOL QUIZ Across: 1 2 3. Where a player is beaten without winning a single frame 5. A piece of appartus used for shots which are difficult to reach 3 4 7. Where a game is restarted due to there being no legal shot available 8. Someone who tries to win money at pool by hiding how good they are 5 6 7 9. The green cloth on which pool is played 10. Usual number of players on the Mens A team 8 11. Ladies team who are currently reigning champions 12. Clearing the pool table without your opponent having a single shot - Break and … 9 Down: 1. Maximum amount of time allowed to take your shot in Blackball rules 10 11 2. Best of… - number of frames in the world snooker championships final 4. Last English player to win blackball world singles title in 2007. Andy … 12 6. Pub pool game where players start with lives and lose one for each shot they miss .