By Seven-year-old becomes Scunthorpe Pool League’s youngest-ever player
History was made in the Scunthorpe Pool League as Henri Scott became the youngest-ever player in the league’s 34-year history last week.
In Division One, Mulligans Trojans remain top of the pile at the end of round 10 following their narrow 8-4 victory over Showmans improvers.
But their lead has been cut to just two points after Fu Cue’s comprehensive 11-1 victory over stablemates Cobras.
Showmans Army ensured they’re just 10 points off the pace with cut their deficit from the top spot to 10 points following an excellent 10-2 win against Beacon, although a near-perfect run of form will be needed in the remaining fixtures if they are to contend for the title in June.
Redbourne Mods tasted victory for just the second time this season, as braces from Parkinson and Fillingham helped the hosts pick up a 7-5 success over fifth-placed Mulligans Majestic Sausage Dogs. Mascot dachshunds Betsy and Hugo insisting on ankle biting at the start of the game was followed by the lacklustre performance.
The 6-6 draw between Broughton Club and Showmans Chaos ensured both stay sixth and fourth respectively.
Division Two leaders Winterton Jubilee suffered defeat for the first time this season, losing 7-5 away at fellow promotion chasers RAOB club.
Messingham Crown failed to capitalise on the opportunity to at least close the gap at the top, as they were also on the end of a rare defeat at home to Brumby Hall A this week. The away side came away victorious 8-5 despite only having five players to keep them right in the thick of the promotion chase.
Mill Road Black Cats’ sudden run of fine form has elevated them into the promotion picture. Their latest 9-4 win away at Division Three champions Rat Outcasts moves them up to 68 points and within touching distance of an automatic promotion spot.
Cocked Hat B turned around their recent run of poor form with an 8-4 win over struggling Black Beauty A. Winless Brumby Hall-Stars managed to avoid defeat this week by drawing 6-6 at home to eighth-placed Fedoras, but they remain 15 points from safety.
Pig & Whistle’s fine form continued during week 10, with their latest 10-2 victory over Mulligans Tight Rack moving them up to the top spot in Division Three.
Ashby Crown won their seventh game (more than any other side in the division) of the campaign 7-5 against Showmans Spartans, but the narrow victory wasn’t enough to prevent them from dropping down into second place.
Old Farmhouse have catapulted themselves into the promotion picture following an encouraging 8-5 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Bottesford Town A. Harrys Bar marched up into sixth spot, overtaking visitors Glennys Poachers with a terrific 9-3 victory.
Mulligans ST’s 8-4 win over Cocked Hat A keeps them in the top half, but a much-improved turn of form is needed if they are to achieve promotion for the second straight season.
There was very little movement in the Division Four league table this week following five very close results.
Showmans Bandits pulled 13 points clear of one of their nearest rivals Mill Road Dynamite with a 7-5 victory, while Chancel Flyers remain second despite narrowly falling to an 8-5 defeat to Broughton WMC.
Both Redbourne Club sides remain in the bottom two, as NnC prop the table up following their 7-5 defeat at Mulligans Misfits and Madness drew 6-6 at home to Crowle Liberal Club. RHH avoided dropping into the bottom two with their 6-6 draw with Chancel A.
Harry’s Bar Harriers remain on course for their second straight title after winning their ninth game of the campaign 8-5 away at Mill Road B in Division Five.
Showmans Hornets moved up into joint-second spot following their excellent 10-2 win over Ashby Crown B, while Beckwood Sex Panthers share second on the back of their 9-4 victory at Black Beauty B.
Beacon Sailors pulled off their second win of the campaign at home to Roxy Rack Em, but the result meant that both sides remained in the relegation zone. Mulligans Youth stay eighth by the skin of their teeth after they were defeated by Beckwood Bombers 8-4.
Division Six’s Mulligans Runaways made it a perfect dozen this week, winning 10-3 away at clubmates Unique to remain the only side with a perfect 100% record across all divisions. Their lead increased this week, as second-placed Schnapps A lost for only the third time this season away at Beacon Rats.
Talbot and Keadby WMC kept their promotion challenge on course, as they shared the spoils 6-6. Elsewhere, Beacon B celebrated victory for only the third time this season, dispatching Schnapps Elite 8-4.
Foxhills Bulldogs’ 7-5 victory over fellow strugglers Refs Corner Pocket wasn’t enough to elevate them out of the dropzone at the visitors’ expense. Brumby Hall B remain rock bottom for another week following their 6-6 draw with Foxhills Club.
In Division 7, Mulligans Warriors earned their fourth win of the campaign 8-5 against promotion-chasing Redbourne Z (pictured).
The hosts have encouragingly featured a brave young man by the name of Henri Scott, who recently made his debut in the league at just seven years of age – making him the youngest-ever player in the league’s 34-year history.
Meanwhile, the promotion and title races are livening up heading into the second half of the season.
Bottesford Town A remain top after they managed to claim victory in a deciding frame away at Grosvenor, while Lord Roberts are right on their heels in second after winning 9-4 at Schapps Retro B.
Schnapps Reloaded are well and truly part of the promotion picture now following their 9-4 win at Priory.
Youth side Mulligans Spurs earned the division’s biggest win this week with a 10-3 success at Schnapps Retro A. The Spurs have registered back-to-back double-digit wins and if they can maintain this run of form, they could find themselves in the promotion race.
Elsewhere, Royal Hotel B recorded a 7-5 victory against Scunthorpe Bowl to keep both sides in eighth and seventh spot.
