By Stuart O’Dell
week 8:
Weardale Pool League – Knockout Cup and Week 8 Round-Up
Stanhope Club progressed to the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup after completing a solid performance in the rearranged second leg against St Johns Chapel Blue Bell. Holding a 5–point advantage from their 7–2 first-leg victory, the home side overcame an early setback when Derek Iddon put the visitors ahead. Stanhope Club responded decisively with wins from Adam Robinson, Paul Dobson, Stuart O’Dell, Frank Stephenson, and Adam Dobson to comfortably secure their semi-final place.
They will now face Wolsingham Black Lion in the last four, while Stanhope Grey Bull (A) take on Frosterley Inn. The semi-finals will be contested over two legs on 14th and 21st January 2026.
Week 8 League Action
Frosterley Inn 3–6 Wolsingham Black Lion
Frosterley Inn made the brighter start through Darren Tinkler, but Wolsingham Black Lion struck back emphatically by taking the next four frames. Jonathan Elliott, Doug Mill, James Everitt, and Adam Fletcher all registered singles wins, with James Everitt producing the first total clearance of the season.
A late singles win from Neil Coates gave the hosts some momentum, but Wolsingham Black Lion maintained control, securing two of the three doubles to complete a 6–3 away victory.
Stanhope Grey Bull (A) 8–1 Stanhope Pack Horse
Stanhope Grey Bull (A) delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season in their home fixture against Stanhope Pack Horse. Chris Woodruff and Stu Brown put the hosts firmly in control before Will Giles pulled one back for the Pack Horse.
From there, Grey Bull (A) surged ahead with further singles wins from David Craggs, Carl Tunstall, and John Anderson. The home side then swept all three doubles matches to complete a commanding 8–1 win.
Weardale Pool League
| Pos. | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points |
| 1 | Stanhope Grey Bull (A) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 30 |
| 2 | Wolsingham Black Lion | 5 | 4 | 1 | 29 |
| 3 | Stanhope Club | 5 | 4 | 1 | 28 |
| 4 | Stanhope Grey Bull (B) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 23 |
| 5 | Frosterley Inn | 5 | 2 | 3 | 22 |
| 6 | Stanhope Pack Horse | 6 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
| 7 | St Johns Chapel Blue Bell | 5 | 1 | 4 | 14 |
Player Of The Year:
| Wins | Played | Player | Team | ||||
| 5 | 5 | Adam Robinson | Stanhope Club | ||||
| 4 | 4 | Neil Coates | Frosterley Inn | ||||
| 4 | 4 | Adam Fletcher | Black Lion | ||||
| 4 | 4 | Gaz Stubbs | Stanhope Club | ||||
| 4 | 5 | Doug Mill | Black Lion | ||||
| 4 | 5 | Chris Woodruff | Grey Bull (A) | ||||
| 4 | 5 | David Craggs | Grey Bull (A) | ||||
| 4 | 5 | Jack Tinkler | Grey Bull (B) | ||||
| 3 | 3 | Carl Tunstall | Grey Bull (A) | ||||
| 8 Ballers | |||||||
| No | Name | Team | |||||
| 1 | James Everitt | Black Lion | |||||
Team Knock Out Semi Finals
To be played over two legs (home and away) on 14th & 21st January 2026 with the first team drawn being the home venue for the first leg:
Stanhope Club V Wolsingham Black Lion
Stanhope Grey Bull (A) V Frosterley Inn
