Weardale Pool League

By Stuart O’Dell

Week 27 Report

Wolsingham Black Lion v St Johns Chapel Blue Bell

Wolsingham Black Lion welcomed St Johns Chapel Blue Bell for the evening, and it was the Blue Bell who claimed an early lead through Terry Wood. Adam Martin responded for the home side to level the score, before Jonathan Elliott edged Wolsingham Black Lion ahead.

Wolsingham Black Lion’s James Everitt needed to win his frame to keep his hopes of securing Player of the Year alive, and he duly obliged, confirming he was guaranteed at least a share of the top spot.

Wolsingham Black Lion continued their strong form and pushed clear on the night. Further wins for the home side from Chris Pybourne and Adam Fletcher saw them secure victory by the end of the singles matches before the doubles began.

The home side carried that momentum into the doubles, winning the first two matches before St Johns Chapel Blue Bell claimed the final doubles frame of the evening.

Wolsingham Black Lion ran out 7-2 winners on the night.

Stanhope Grey Bull (B) v Frosterley Inn

Frosterley Inn travelled to Stanhope Grey Bull for their encounter against the Grey Bull’s B team. Neil Coates opened the scoring for the visitors before Jack Tinkler levelled the match.

Frosterley Inn edged back in front through Davey Richmond and then took control from that point onward, winning the remaining singles games through Jake Richardson, Ethan Coates, and Derek Dent.

Frosterley Inn also claimed two of the three doubles matches to secure a convincing 7-2 victory.

Stanhope Club v Stanhope Grey Bull (A)

Stanhope Club hosted the final match of the season and, following previous results, the encounter would decide the league winners for the 2025/2026 season. Stanhope Grey Bull (A) sat four points behind Stanhope Club in the league standings, meaning that with nine points still available, the title race was very much alive.

Stanhope Grey Bull (A) claimed the opening point of the evening through Ben Forster. Adam Dobson responded for the home side to level the score, but the visitors regained the lead thanks to wins from David Craggs and Johnny Emerson, giving Grey Bull (A) a two-point advantage.

The next frame featured Stanhope Club’s Adam Robinson against Stanhope Grey Bull (A)’s Stu Brown. Adam Robinson needed victory to tie with Wolsingham Black Lion’s James Everitt for Player of the Year, but it was Stu Brown who took the win to extend Grey Bull’s lead to three points and pile pressure on Stanhope Club, who still required two more points from the remaining four frames.

Alan Barker reduced the deficit to two points, leaving Stanhope Club needing just one more point from the final three doubles matches.

Stanhope Grey Bull (A) refused to give in and claimed the first two doubles games, meaning the league title would be decided in the final frame of the season.

In a tense finale, Stanhope Club edged the deciding frame despite losing 6-3 overall on the night, doing just enough to secure the league title by a single point after an excellent contest between both teams.

Weardale Pool League – Week 28 (Finals Night) Report

Finals Night saw both the Singles and Doubles Knock Out Cup finals decided.

The Doubles Final was played first in an all-Frosterley Inn contest between brothers Ethan and Finlay Coates and the pairing of Darren Tinkler and Derek Dent. In a closely fought match, Darren Tinkler and Derek Dent came out victorious, narrowly defeating Ethan and Finlay to claim the title of 2025/2026 Doubles Knock Out Cup Champions.

The Singles Knock Out Cup Final was contested between Frosterley Inn’s Neil Coates and Stanhope Club’s Adam Robinson. In another tight match, Adam Robinson emerged victorious to claim the title of 2025/2026 Singles Knock Out Cup Champion.

Following the conclusion of the finals, the league’s annual presentation for the 2025/2026 season was held, with awards presented as follows:

• League Winners – Stanhope Club
• League Runners-Up – Stanhope Grey Bull (A)
• Team Knock Out Cup Winners – Stanhope Grey Bull (A)
• Team Knock Out Cup Runners-Up – Wolsingham Black Lion
• Player of the Year – James Everitt
• Doubles Knock Out Cup Winners – Darren Tinkler & Derek Dent
• Doubles Knock Out Cup Runners-Up – Ethan & Finlay Coates
• Singles Knock Out Cup Winner – Adam Robinson
• Singles Knock Out Cup Runner-Up – Neil Coates

8 Ball Trophy Winners

(awarded for recording a total clearance)

• Ethan Coates (Frosterley Inn)
• James Everitt (Wolsingham Black Lion)
• Adam Robinson (Stanhope Club)
• Stu Brown (Stanhope Grey Bull (A))
• Colin Hodgson (St Johns Chapel Blue Bell)
• Frank Stephenson (Stanhope Club)

We congratulate all teams and players on another excellent season and already look forward to next season, which is currently planned to begin in early October, with the AGM scheduled for mid-September.

Further details will be communicated nearer the time, but if anyone would like to enter a team into the league, please contact Stuart O’Dell or Alan Barker at Stanhope Club.

Player Of The Year: