Week 1 Captain's Report - Home Versus WAMDSAD

RACKS PACK II – A NEW GENERATION……..

And so it came to pass that on the first day of the second week of the seventh month that a new era began. A three month journey, a quest if you will, full of highs and lows, thrills and spills, flair and skills, and (if possible) a bit more flair. Racks Pack second attempt to secure the Maidenhead Pool League Summer title was now awakening from its winter slumber - stirring, having a quick scratch, a belch, and then pulling on its pants ready for action.

There was a poignant smell in the air as I strode up the stairs to meet my comrades in arms, and it was the waft of celebration. Thirty four years ago to the very day a man was born that would take the helm of this motley crew and guide them to giddy new heights and that man was me. What better way to celebrate my birthday than to sink a few beers and crush some unsuspecting plebs in the process. The date was 9th July 2007, the place was Racks and the plebs were WAMSAD. Truly a mighty foe for such a mighty occasion.

The night had started shakily. Brad ‘the bear’ had called up at 7pm to say he ‘might not make it’ and followed it up with ‘I wont make it’ at 7:45pm. This caused a problem, not least because, with Tready blanking us to play for the other Racks side, it meant we only had five players. I have been toying with the idea of getting another permanent player in the side to add to our six but to be honest I don't want to if I can help it. I would like us to get through the section and then the six of us could play two frames every week and save me the hassle of picking a side for the knockout stages. Obviously it’s got its drawbacks when someone pulls out. This is going to really kick in for the next month as Lee misses three weeks to go on holiday with 82 of his closest friends and relatives. As if that wasn't enough my vice-sub-under-committee-captain-in-waiting is away for next week as well. So that gives us the sum total of four players for next Monday.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse - the Murphy’s was off! I couldn't believe it! How was I going to wash down the fine a la carte menu of Racks bistro-esque food that was bound to appear during the break? How lucky for us that the dozen triangular sandwiches between 6 of us could have been washed down with a cap full of mouthwash!

In desperation for a player we turned to Leo. Trying to convince him to play was tough, especially when he realised there was no money involved. Finally he agreed and we got six names down on the sheet just in time for 8pm.

At the start of a season you need to get off to a good start, you need a big man, with a big reputation for a big job. But with no one fitting that description we let JY crack on and he was more off than the Murphys. A stunning 10 minute demonstration of total budgeness put us 0-1 down.

The captain stepped in with an excellent clearance down to the simple black into the corner that was desperately unlucky not to end up in the middle pocket! Fortunately the WAMSAD player was in no mood to make it difficult and left me a tap in some visits later. 1-1

Steve ‘Dog’ Walton turned up at 8:15pm to tell us how he was beaten “by a lucky **** from a team full of spasmo’s”. It turned out that he was the only player on the Thatched team to lose.

I firmly believe that your best player should be in at number three. If you are 2-0 down you should be confident of getting it back to 2-1. If its 1-1 then you should be taking a lead. But I wasn't paying attention when I filled out the card as I was too busy trying to figure out where to put Leo so it turned out to be Kevin ‘Slugger’ Southam in the main role of trap 3. The excellent black along the rail to win it was completely out of context with the rest of the frame, but who cared - we were in front 2-1

Lee ‘Grinder’ Greenwood pulled out a superb win over Paul Webb who was unfortunate to run out of position during an attempted clearance. Neil ‘105.4 – he’s magic allll the way’ Cameron got off the mark without too much fuss and Leo made it 5-1 at the break with an interesting demonstration of 9-ball pool technique on an 8-ball pool table.

5-1 at the half and Leo went straight back on. He crowned his debut with a double on the night when his opponent attempted a WAM down the cushion but was left with the SAD when the red did three laps of the table after missing by four inches or more.

JY reprieved himself and the relieved himself all in the space of five minutes and as predicted in the ASN season preview left the building just shortly before ‘Wonder’Walls 100% record. An attempt to win the coveted ‘You’re not on telly now pointless flair shot of the week’ award resulted in a lovely two ball plant, screwing back to free his tough yellow, but missing it and watching the white bounce back off the cushion straight into the middle bag.

The Slugger notched up his double on the night with some solid potting but Lee and Neil both met with defeat to leave the final score at 8-4.

Could have been better , could have been worse. A lack of concentration and some rustiness in the last few frames cost us a bigger score. Actually, laying into Andy ‘Turncoat’ Treadwell as he lost on the other table on his debut for his new team didn't help.