Hi all

Happy New Year to everyone and hope you and your families had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. I also hope you picked up a cue more often than I did over the break, although some of the results tell me otherwise…

This year promises to be a great one, with numbers in the trials continuing to grow and more money comps planned to assist fundraising, culminating in the Australian Eight Ball Federation National Championships being held right here in the nation’s capital.

Welcome to the Summer 2009 State League Competition. With the loss of 2 teams, it has unfortunately created a bye in divisions 2 and 3 this season, but this only adds to the competition in these divisions. It also strengthens the standard of divisions 4 and 5, with a few teams having to drop a division to even the team numbers over the five divisions.

We welcome 2 new venues this season, The Maram and the Tuggeranong Southern Cross Club, as well as the return of The Tradies@Woden and Queanbeyan Roos Club. In addition to our existing 13 venues, some of whom have taken on an additional team, we thank you for supporting the ACT Eight Ball Association in our 20th year.

A few teams came bolting out of the gates this round, with some massive victories recorded. The Rail Runners celebrated their promotion with a 19-5 win, while the Jets proved they would be hard to beat in div 4 with another 19-5 victory. But the big scores didn’t stop there, with the Hammerheads, DV8s and Tomtones all recorded 18-6 wins. In fact, the average score in div 1 was 16-8, whilst div 4 was 19-5!!

With the teams in Div 1 largely unchanged, it seems like it will tough as ever, but a first up loss for the Embalmers added to big wins from runners-up Hammerheads and 5th place Stickmen looks like making it interesting.

Div 2 looks like being as close as last season, where the final round saw teams 4-7 all in with a chance of the last finals spot, and the Crushers will rebound strongly after their loss tonight, where they were unlucky in a number of frames.

The Pains start their climb up the ladder this season in div 3, but the existing teams, especially last season’s minor premiers The Pumas, will give them a run for the money. But it would be hard to bet against the Pumas after their dominance last season, before narrowly missing out 3-2 in a playoff in the Grand Final.

One of the toughest divisions will definitely be Division 4, where the extra byes have forced 3 of last season’s div 3 teams down. The Demons, Jets and Tomtones will be eager to get back up, but the remaining teams will be ready for them after securing consistent rosters this season.

Division 5 sees 3 teams down from div 4 this season, but last season’s runners up the Motley Cues will see Dice keen to join Blackie in div 4.

All up, I look forward to another great season of Eight Ball, but I have to mention a few housekeeping points as usual. Trials nominations are due at the April meeting, but I welcome any early nominations at the March meeting, as this will assist me in setting up the Open Singles in particular. Also, please feel free to encourage your team members to volunteer for adjudicating, at the end of the day it’s a chance to have a few beers and watch some great eight ball, and of course your help is greatly appreciated.

One last note, I have received a number of phone calls over the past few weeks at really odd times of night. Admittedly, I do work a couple of nights a week at the moment, but if I don’t answer your call, please send me a text message with your name and I will return your call the following day – don’t keep calling until midnight, please. I’m trying not to be too picky here but please don’t call after 9pm on a school night as I have a young daughter and also have to get up for work in the morning. That being said, it is only a few individuals and not any of the captains, just please forward to your players.

Anyway, enough from me, the results from round 1 are below. Continue reading

Congratulations to the Fyshwick Tavern Embalmers For their 15 – 11 victory against the Juniors in the C of C grand final last night.

This is a particularly outstanding achievement as the Embalmers are now the first team to score the hat trick for the year – both Div 1 seasons and the C of C! Sensational work guys!

Commiserations to the Juniors, but great job getting to the final. Sincere thanks to all teams that participated and the hosting venues!