By Stuart O’Dell
Week 19 Report
St Johns Chapel Blue Bell v Stanhope Grey Bull (B)
Stanhope Grey Bull (B) made the trip to St Johns Chapel to face St Johns Chapel Blue Bell in a closely contested encounter that went down to the wire.
The visitors struck first, with Julie Scott taking the opening singles frame. Terry Wood responded to level for the home side, but Grey Bull (B) then seized control of the match. Wins from Chris Henderson, Sean McConnell, and Jack Tinkler saw the away team claim the next three singles games to open a commanding three-point advantage.
Colin Hodgson kept Blue Bell’s hopes alive by taking the final singles match, reducing the deficit to two points, and leaving the hosts needing a clean sweep of the doubles to snatch victory.
Blue Bell rose to the challenge, winning the first two doubles matches to draw level at 4-4 and set up a tense decider. However, it was Grey Bull (B) who held their nerve in the final frame, edging the last doubles to secure a hard-fought 5-4 victory in a match that could easily have gone either way.
Stanhope Pack Horse Inn v Stanhope Club
It proved to be a dominant night for Stanhope Club as they travelled to face Stanhope Pack Horse Inn.
Alan Barker set the tone for the visitors with victory in the opening singles, and Stanhope Club never looked back. Further wins from Gary Stubbs, Paul Dobson and Adam Dobson extended their lead, before Stu O’Dell and Adam Robinson completed a clean sweep of the singles, leaving Pack Horse with a mountain to climb.
The hosts managed to claim the first of the doubles matches to avoid a whitewash, but Stanhope Club quickly reasserted control, taking the final two doubles to wrap up a comprehensive 8-1 win on the night.
Stanhope Grey Bull (A) v Wolsingham Black Lion
The fixture between Stanhope Grey Bull (A) and Wolsingham Black Lion was postponed, with a new date yet to be confirmed.
Weardale Pool League
| Pos. | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points |
| 1 | Stanhope Club | 13 | 12 | 1 | 80 |
| 2 | Stanhope Grey Bull (A) | 12 | 7 | 5 | 63 |
| 3 | Wolsingham Black Lion | 11 | 8 | 3 | 61 |
| 4 | Stanhope Grey Bull (B) | 13 | 6 | 7 | 57 |
| 5 | Frosterley Inn | 11 | 7 | 4 | 55 |
| 6 | St Johns Chapel Blue Bell | 13 | 1 | 12 | 40 |
| 7 | Stanhope Pack Horse | 13 | 2 | 11 | 31 |
Player Of The Year:
| Wins | Played | Player | Team | ||||
| 11 | 13 | Adam Robinson | Stanhope Club | ||||
| 9 | 10 | Adam Dobson | Stanhope Club | ||||
| 9 | 12 | Paul Dobson | Stanhope Club | ||||
| 9 | 12 | Alan Barker | Stanhope Club | ||||
| 9 | 13 | Jack Tinkler | Grey Bull (B) | ||||
| 8 | 10 | Neil Coates | Frosterley Inn | ||||
| 8 | 11 | Doug Mill | Black Lion | ||||
| 8 | 11 | James Everitt | Black Lion | ||||
| 8 Ballers | |||||||
| No | Name | Team | |||||
| 1 | James Everitt | Black Lion | |||||
| 1 | Adam Robinson | Stanhope Club | |||||
Team Knock Out Final
To be played over two legs (home and away) on 4th & 11th March 2026 with the first team drawn being the home venue for the first leg:
Wolsingham Black Lion V Stanhope Grey Bull (A)
