Bude and District Winter Pool League (sponsored by Plumbase) mid-season report

THE 2024/25 divisions resumed last Wednesday (January 8) as the respective title races hot up.

In the Premier League, it looks like there could be a three-way battle for the title.

Leaders US Galacticos are eight points clear of champions New Inn A who have a game in-hand, while Junction Inn are 19 behind but with two games in-hand.

The Galacticos have played six, losing two, while both New Inn A and Junction have 100% records.

At the bottom, the superbly named Old Orchard Just The Tip are ten points adrift of Magpies having played a game more.

In Division One, US Straight Shooters have a two-point lead over The Stowe Rack N Rollers, while Old Orchard Misfits are only eight adrift of top spot with a game in-hand.

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE: 1 US Galacticos PLAYED 6 WON 4 LOST 2 POINTS 61; 2 New Inn A P5 W5 L0 PTS 53; 3 Old Orchard A P6 W2 L4 PTS 46; 4 Junction Inn P4 W4 L0 PTS 42; 5 Magpies P5 W1 L4 PTS 24; 6 Old Orchard Just The Tip P6 W0 L6 PTS 14.

PREMIER LEAGUE TOP TEN (WINS): 1 Gary Hodgson (US Galacticos) – 15/18 (83.33%); 2 Andy Pollard (New Inn A) – 13/15 (86.67%); 3 Lee West (Old Orchard A) – 13/18 (72.22%); 4 Stuart Baker (US Galacticos) – 12/15 (80%); 5 James Bromell (New Inn A) – 11/15 (73.33%); 6 Tim Cottle (New Inn A) – 11/15 (73.33%); 7 Jordan Masters (New Inn A) – 11/15 (73.33%); 8 Jason Winser (Junction Inn) – 10/12 (83.33%); 9 Aaron Nash (US Galacticos) – 10/15 (66.67%); 10 Frank Barriball (Old Orchard A) – 9/15 (60%).

DIVISION ONE TABLE: 1 US Straight Shooters PLAYED 8 WON 7 LOST 1 POINTS 77; 2 The Stowe Rack N Rollers P8 W5 L3 PTS 75; 3 Old Orchard Misfits P7 W6 L1 PTS 69; 4 Bullers P8 W4 L4 PTS 56; 5 Brendon P7 W4 L3 PTS 52; 6 New Inn Credibles P8 W1 L7 PTS 50; 7 Kings Arms Veleos P8 W0 L8 PTS 26.

DIVISION ONE TOP TEN (WINS): 1 Lee Thomas (US Straight Shooters) – 18/24 (75%); 2 Lawrence Palmer (Old Orchard Misfits) – 17/21 (80.95%); 3 Craig Wilson (US Straight Shooters) – 17/21 (80.95%); 4 Joe Simmonds (The Stowe Rack N Rollers) – 16/21 (76.19%); 5 Pat Phelan (US Straight Shooters) – 15/20 (75%); 6 Dan Pitfield (The Stowe Rack N Rollers) – 15/24 (62.50%); 7 James Milne (Old Orchard Misfits) – 14/18 (77.78%); 8 James Ford (Brendon) – 14/21 (66.66%); 9 Morgan Hutchinson (New Inn Credibles) – 14/24 (58.33%); 10 Josh Walton (The Stowe Rack N Rollers) – 14/24 (58.33%).

The semi-finalists have been decided for March’s Heaverman Knockout Cup ties.

Division One The Stowe Rack N Rollers beat Magpies 8-6 to set up a last four showdown with US Galacticos who edged past Junction Inn 8-7.

The winners of that tie will face Old Orchard Misfits or New Inn A in the final.

The Misfits were 8-6 winners at Brendon, while Old Orchard A were beaten 8-4 in the other clash.

Three of the four semi-finalists have been decided in the Handicap Team Knockout with US Straight Shooters, Old Orchard Just The Tip and Old Orchard Misfits having seeing off New Inn Credibles, US Galacticos and Magpies respectively.

The tie between Junction Inn and Old Orchard A was postponed.

The league also held their annual charity night in December with £205 going to local charity, Talan’s Trust.

Gary Hodgson was the winner from the 29-player field, seeing off James Bromell in the final.