By Stuart O’Dell
Weardale Pool League – Week 13 Report
Team Knock Out Cup Semi-Finals – First Leg
Stanhope Grey Bull (A) vs Frosterley Inn
Stanhope Grey Bull (A) made the perfect start to their cup semi-final, racing into an early lead by winning the opening three singles. Victories from David Craggs, Stu Brown, and Chris Woodruff put the home side firmly in control.
Frosterley Inn showed great resilience and began to fight back, with Neil Coates and Finlay Coates both claiming impressive wins to reduce the deficit. However, Johnny Emerson secured the final singles match of the evening for Stanhope Grey Bull (A), giving them a 4–2 advantage heading into the doubles.
The first doubles match proved decisive, as David Craggs and Stu Brown produced a superb clearance from their opening visit, leaving Frosterley Inn with no chance to respond. Frosterley Inn did take the second doubles game, but Stanhope Grey Bull (A) wrapped up the final match of the night to secure a 6–3 victory, taking a three-point advantage into next week’s second leg.
Stanhope Club vs Wolsingham Black Lion
In the other semi-final, it was the visitors Wolsingham Black Lion who started strongest. Kenny Everitt opened the scoring, followed by further singles wins from Chris Pybourne and Jonathan Elliott, giving the Black Lion a commanding lead.
Paul Dobson pulled a point back for Stanhope Club, but Doug Mill claimed the final singles match of the evening, ensuring Wolsingham Black Lion took control before the doubles commenced.
Stanhope Club showed determination in the doubles, winning two of the three matches to reduce the deficit. Despite this late push, Wolsingham Black Lion still claimed a 6–3 victory on the night, also taking a three-point advantage into next week’s second leg.
