After the Xmas and New Year break all teams have started with some hitting the floor running, and some just hitting the floor with a dull thud. Some players took up where they left off in 2018 in winning and there were a lot showing signs of table rust. The battle of ‘Club Lithgow’ took place when Miscues took on Jiggers and it was an easy win to Miscues 4–3. Miscues welcome back to their fold Paul Wilcox (60 minutes) who is having a run. Jiggers almost pulled out of the comp with only six players but they have recruited Katherine Sutton, Dylan Ford, Sharnie Roberts and Angela Smith taking them to ten players and already have one hand on the wooden spoon. Tall Timbers pulled off a good win 4–3 over the hard to beat Red Sox. Timbers see the return of Michael Tonkin and he will be a handy pick up for them. Pockets were another team struggling to get enough players and now with enough players they easily beat 2018 Terry Longdon Memorial Trophy Premiers Helmets 5–2. After winning both comps last year Helmets are still hung over in celebration mode.

Hunter Mining Methods Miscues versus Welch’s Highway Smash Repairs Jiggers

Brian Nightingale versus Kyle Lewis: This was a good game and the closest score on the night with both trying to get their team that first important win for the year. Lewis had an eight start and that was how it basically stayed until the end with Nightingale trying hard  to get close and Lewis was maintaining that gap to win 59 – 52. Ritchie Bilby versus Katherine Sutton: Bilby had three start against the new player Sutton because the rules are if a new player is not known to the committee they have to start on a 15 handicap. Sutton has not played before and she was trying her best missing a lot of shots but once she settled down there were some good solid shots. Bilby had too much experience and was helping Sutton through the game and was graciously trying to set some shots up for her. Bilby easily won 131 to seven. Kevin Slaven versus Dylan Ford:  Slaven was up against another newbie in Ford and also Ford had to start on 15 and had to give Slaven 21 start. This was a very slow game as Slaven only knows one speed and a lot of follow up shots once potting a red was nowhere near the pocket. Ford did show some form nailing a few long shots but will be a work in progress. Slaven held the lead for an easy win 86–52. Matt Tattersall versus Trent Lewis: This was a very quick game as both are attacking players and leave nothing in the tank afterwards. Lewis had a 16 start and he was off and running and leaving Tattersall in his wake. Tattersall was all at sea though he played a few good shots it was Lewis who dominated 76–29. Jeff Martin v Wayne Lewis: Another good match as both can pot a good ball and play some good safety. A slow start as both was trying to find their momentum and there were a few missed opportunities. It was Lewis who found form early and took the lead and Martin was struggling to get going. Martin was happy as he got to over 20 points because that was how bad he was going. Lewis was just too good as he cruised to 47–27 win. Dennis Goodwin versus Greg Sutton: Goodwin was slow out of the blocks early as he gave Sutton an early six points in fouls and Sutton played some good early shots to be over 20 points in the lead. Then midway a wall jumped out in front of Sutton of which he hit with force as he collapsed. Goodwin slowly pulled back the deficit and took the lead at the end to be an easy winner 64–37.

C & W Printing Red Sox versus Carpet One Tall Timbers

Peter Warner versus Frank Wawn: Warner did not have a good end to 2018 as he won 3 comp games which is not like him at all being the scrapper he is. Wawn had an 18 start and on last comps results should have been enough to win. This was a good game as Warner started out with confidence and back to form and Wawn was playing well to keep Warner behind him. In the long run it was a dogged fight by Warner to take the game 57–50. Garry Nolan versus Michael McCosker: This was a game of attrition as Nolan who is not known for safety has really improved on this and now makes it harder for his opponents. McCosker on the other hand is a good player but a mixed bag in form as you do not know which McCosker turns up on the night. A fairly open game and though McCosker had a 15 break it was not enough as Nolan played a very fluent game to come home an easy 74–48 winner. Leo Keeley versus Leon Rust: A game of opposing styles as Keeley is like a guerrilla fighter comes in and attacks then run and hides playing safe. Lightening Leon plays like a whirling dervish at a hundred miles all the time. It was a good game watching the contrasting styles as Rust had to slow down as Keeley was putting the white safe but once in the open Rust came to the fore as he scored a 13 break to take the game 58–32. Tom Gaynor versus Michael Andrews:  A couple of veterans with similar styles as both have a good look at what shots to play and very meticulous about safety. It was a good game as neither really got on top until the end where Andrews came home strong to win 57–47. Jeff Stait versus Maurie Smith: Stait had to chase 28 points and depending on which Smith turns up could be an easy or hard get for Stait. This was a great game as both were playing well and as Stait does he likes to leave it late in the game to make his mark and that he did as he beat Smith 76–73 right on the buzzer. John Lyons v Howie Fisher: The ‘old master’ Lyons up against El Presidente Fisher in what was a good game by Lyons for a close loss. Lyons had to chase 44 points to catch Fisher and he was doing this very well and Fisher was doing enough to keep the lead. Lyons did all the hard work and Fisher kept him at bay to just win 64–59.

Lithgow Valley Storage Helmets versus Williams and Sons Butchery Pockets

Ian Bulkeley versus Dane Barrington: Bulkeley with all his experience should have been too good for Barrington who was playing in only his second comp. Something must have happened on the way to The Workies for Bulkeley as he got a dose of stage fright he was too afraid to perform in front of an audience. Barrington on the other hand had no problem being in the spotlight. Barrington had a 27 lead and was no way threatened by Bulkeley as he potted all in front of him. Once Bulkeley poked his around the curtain he did play a few good shots but Barrington had a good encore 66–24. Logan Spice versus Lawrence Creasy: The ‘Colonel’ Spice up against ‘the cook’ Creasy and who was going to be the victor especially in the heat we have been having. Creasy was in charge all game as he was giving Spice a lesson. Spice did play some good shots but not enough as Creasy cooked his herbs and Spices to perfection 76–43. Tom Drury v Kyal Furbank: Drury only played a couple of games last comp and was coming in refreshed and ready and Kyal ‘Foodbank’ was still carrying the remnants of the festive season. Drury started to chase the 20 points with ease as everything seemed to go right and Furbank was nowhere near his best as he struggled. Drury was too strong as he only let Furbank score 14 points as he cruised to a 72–34 win. Dillan McBey versus Brad Preston: A good game by both players as it turned out as McBey had to give 2 start. Both were potting well and neither could get that break to leave the other behind. It went shot for shot and at the end it was McBey who scraped home 51–44. Ian Miles versus Shane Eagle: Both contrasting styles of play with Miles getting around the table a bit quicker than a sloth and Eagle is always swooping quickly round the table once he leaves his eyrie. Good game by both but it was Eagle who took to the thermals and won in a fairly close game 51–43. Brett Bradley versus Steve Hewitt: Bradley is the slowest player in the LASA but on occasion is very affective in grinding out a game. Hewitt has improved but at times is prone to make mistakes leaving the ball up for his opponent. Hewitt was on the ball early and potting well and Bradley was doing the Time Warp as he seemed to be stuck in one. Hewitt was too strong as he won 72–15.

Point score