News

As you are probably aware Darren Bispham, manager of Singleton Barn, passed away after a battle with cancer within the past few weeks.
Singleton Barn have been a big part of our pool league for many years and I am sure you will join me in sending your condolences on to his family and the Singleton Barn family that lives and breathes the pub. Darren committed his time and effort to even play in the league himself years ago and will be sorely missed by all.

There is a celebration of life for Darren on the 25th June from 2pm. Darren and his family extend the invite to all to ensure his life is celebrated and remembered as it should be.

RIP Darren from all within The APL

The season kicks off on the 16th February, fixtures online and a printable PDF available under the Files menu.

A high level overview of what's coming this season...
- 28 teams across 3 divisions

- Team Knockout (handicapped scoring). Draw online.

- Plate KO for the 1st round losers above.

- Dutch doubles competition (cash entry, all money in all money out --- more details to follow).

- Ashford Singles event (cash entry, all money in all money out --- more details to follow)

Plus a potential of 2 more events during the season.

Best of luck to all, have a great season.

Congratulations to Sammy Foreman, Singleton Barn A on winning the APL Ladies KO.

Sammy went undefeated on the night to win the first APL Ladies KO.
7 Ladies from our league did battle at the British Rail Club to find our first winner. Thanks to the British Rail Club for hosting the evening.

The League aim to make this an annual event.

Well Done Sammy!

This Thursday, another successful season will reach a conclusion. We would like to thank all players, captains, venues and landlords as without all of these the competition wouldn't exist.

This season has flown by, I hope everyone has enjoyed the matches and banter throughout the calendar where competition has been healthy but also enjoyable for all levels of players.

The APL continues to grow, this year we had one team representing Ashford in the Kent INTER league, we are delighted that next season, after some difficulties were overcome ASHFORD B Has now been successful with appeal and will be playing interleague this coming season! the new captain Kenny Sharpe has been instrumental and a credit to the league in his efforts pushing this over the line. due to news that broke during this season, many local leagues are following in our footsteps as international rule set makes huge steps forward for 2023. All interleague and events will now be contested with these rules adopted. having had a season learning these rules, we wish Ashford A and Ashford B the best for the new season.

I've created a short summary for each division to update all before this weeks final league games.

2ND DIVISION;
Newly crowned Champions THE ELWICK CLUB, will be promoted and contest in our 1st division next season, 2nd also now confirmed with Ashford Club B awaiting a playoff to gain promotion, where they will travel to the team finishing in 8th in the 1st division. Ashford club will have to win 8 in 15 frames to be promoted at the expense of their opponent.
THE PLAYER OF THE SEASON, will be decided on the final night, with a slight buffer Steve Cooper is two winning frames away from retaining or winning the prize again. hot on his heals, 2nd and 3rd cannot drop frames if they hope to take the top place. Therefore this week league games that will decide our P.O.S! Ashford club B travel to Rose B, and AC RISING FROM PHOENIX will travel to Balls up the Arc.

1ST DIVISION
Much like Div2, Our top 2 are now confirmed, Runaway leaders ALBION ACES will be promoted as champions, for the 1st time in asking as they were relegated due to a reformat. The second team from ASHFORD club and the A team are also awaiting a playoff! they await a trip to either The Albion D, OR Rose Inn A where they must win 8 in 15 frames to gain promotion.
At the foot of the table it has been tight for weeks, and we are yet to decide whom will get relegated. a crunch game at Matches where they host Lunas Loco, to put this this into context, matches and social have to win to then swap places, and then will be in a playoff rather than automatic relegation. history could be made, with both LOCO teams being relegated, or will LUNA survive and then they both contest in the same league next season.
BEAVER A incidentally are safe due to head to head results. The PLAYER OF THE SEASON champion is DION ORRIS. Dion has been in fine form for a couple of seasons and has quite a buffer over 2nd place, he has been called up and will play INTERLEAGUE next season and will represent the A TEAM. well done Dion, great season.

THE PREM

With the JOHN MORRISON MASTERS weeks away, every frame around the venues is precious to those trying to reach that top 16 qualification from the year! this is combined stats from two seasons and a seeded comp!
But before we get to the masters, we still have much t be decided......................................................

I start at the foot of the league, LOCO B last week were condemned to relegation. the 1st time in history, losing to ALBION D. a lot of history to be made this week, can The ROSE A also be one of the only promoted teams not go straight back down, at the half way point, the ROSE looked pretty doomed, but they have had a incredible second half, but there job is not yet complete they travel to play the LOCO. not far away, ALBION D simply have to win at Home to L8 KNIGHTs, or better the ROSE outcome. SO the ALBION need LOCO B, the team they relegated to help them!! what a night we will have.
At the top, MAGIC, once again champions, after beating dukes head last week, they now face CON ARTISTs, THE DUKES now in 3rd, will play 4th sloppy seconds, where it isn't just bragging rights and league finishing positions at stake, as Individually many fighting to be in or as high up the masters leader board. Con artists can complete a superb campaign if they avoid defeat, they will finish 2nd, due to head to head with Dukes head.
finally, PLAYER OF SEASON, a week ago statically 9 players in contention, the last evening it is down to 3! Dan Nisbet and Mick bell-hughes must win all three! yet Our current masters champion does not tend to let a lead drop, JOE CRONIN needs 1 frame to be crowned PLAYER OF THE SEASON for 6th season, all the way back to 2018 winter!

details will become LIVE very soon for THE NEW SEASON, registration details will be shared with all current captains. Any new teams and venues please contact the league where will try to accommodate all.

TO all Players and teams We wish you all the best this week, and look forward to welcoming you for another season very soon.

ps. NEXT WEEK JIM WILLIAMS X PRS returns where 16 COMMENCE and we will have our last 4 pairs BY THE END OF THE NIGHT.

ZACK HARDEN
APL secretary

Good morning All,

Last night, One week before the season kicks off. It was put forward and approved we had opportunity to practice within teams or play a friendly to understand the new rules. I’d like to thank everyone for engaging in this transition and feel for the benifit of APL we will develop everyone’s attacking and potting game.
I also delivered, many rule posters along with fixture guides for the benifit of our venues. Over the coming days please arrange with me, to collect if required.

We had a slight Re format. Which I thank everyone involved who helped make the correct decisions. 3 equal divisons. With a bye in each tier.
• Jim Williams XPairs will be contested again this season. Pairings should be provided to league secretary by week 6 results being sent in.

Thanks again for supporting the APL and best of luck to everyone this coming season!!

Zack Harden
APL secretary