WEIGH Inn went into their match against Halkirk "1" knowing that defeat
would almost certainly end any hopes they had in this year’s Thurso and District Pool League title race.
A tense first singles eventually saw David McGillivray clinch victory over Michael MacGregor to put Weigh Inn ahead. A marathon second singles saw James Alan level the match for the leaders.
Stevie Elder produced an excellent pot out of a snooker on his way to defeating Mark Alexander to give Halkirk "1" the lead. Robbie MacGregor took advantage of a foul from Chris Bacon to clinch his singles and level the match once more.
In a match filled with close games, Keith Foubister edged past Alan Robertson as Halkirk "1" regained the lead 3-2.
With the scoreline exactly the same at this stage last week, Peter MacAllister managed to make up for last week’s disappointment and win the final singles to send the teams level heading into the doubles.
On a night of long games, John Kay provided a composed finish to win the first doubles for the Weigh Inn to give them a 4-3 lead, needing just one more game for victory. Halkirk "1" weren’t going to give up their unbeaten record in a hurry and they promptly levelled up the match courtesy of Elder and Bacon. With the match on the line, Weigh Inn captain Alexander held his nerve to sink a tricky yellow followed by a long black to win the match for the Weigh Inn in what was a gruelling encounter.
Top Joe’s had their eye on possibly moving into second place in the league as they looked to do the double over Halkirk "2". Everything appeared to be going the way of Top Joe’s as they swept into a 4-0 lead in the singles thanks to Rory Hadden, Andy MacGregor, Stevie Gray and Scott Youngson.
However, John Coghill started an incredible fightback for Halkirk "2" as they went on to win the next four games to send the match into a deciding doubles. Top Joe’s managed to clinch the match as Youngson and Alan Henderson finally saw them over the winning line.
Comm were looking to build on their recent good run, having won three of their last four, when they visited Skinandi’s. They started off in great form by winning four of the first five singles for a commanding 4-1 advantage.
Richard MacDonald, Jack Halliday, Chris Sutherland and Jordan Youngson were all victorious with James Moodie replying for the hosts. Neal Clark gave Skinandi’s hope by taking the last singles only for Comm to finish off the match by winning the first doubles. Skinandi’s did win the final two doubles to make the final score 5-4 to the Comm.
Holborn, who’ve been struggling of late, were out for revenge over fellow strugglers Ashes Bar. The visitors never knew what hit them as Holborn surged into a 3-0 lead. Ashes Bar fought back and took the next three singles to level the match. The doubles were close as Holborn regained the lead only for Ashes to level up and force a decider.
A tense final doubles was won by Holborn as they finally ended their poor recent run of form.
Popeye’s had the bye this week.
Results – Week 10: Weigh Inn 5, Halkirk "1" 4; Halkirk "2" 4, Top Joe’s 5; Skinandi’s 4, Comm 5; Holborn 5, Ashes Bar 4.
In week 11 action, leaders Halkirk "1" are back in derby action as Halkirk "2" look to avenge their narrow loss in the first encounter.
Elsewhere, Weigh Inn travel to face the Comm, Ashes Bar host Top Joe’s and Skinandi’s visit Popeye’s. Holborn have the bye week.
