After watching some of the players last week from each of the four teams I got to view, I must admitt for a district league, this is a very high standard level of play.

Yes there isnt a top class pro in it, like there are in alot of leagues up country but overall you guys piss on the normal standard of players, which means every week there is pressure on every game.(no wonder I cant win, lol).

Last summer I played in the other redruth league and there was maybe 3 people who would do well, (Mike falconar and malcolm bickham), but thats about it, 2 players from 10 teams. Do I have the commitment to beat most of u guys this season? not anymore but hopefully i can pinch a few frames here and there this season and maybe win a singles game.

GL this week ppl, except team im playing of course :-)

Very interesting post Mr Tonkin sir, always good to hear the opinion of someone who's played in both leagues. I've been told on a few occasions(by players from the other league) that one or two teams in their league could win our league and how their standard overall is higher but whenever talk of a challenge match comes up, it tends to never materialise. People seem to have a short memory and forget that Red Jackets won the league (not that we got any trophies for it although we were assured last September that we'd get them in 2-3 weeks so must only be a matter of time now!?!) and went unbeaten for four seasons (after losing to Joe Tonkin's Trefusis in a freak result!) before joining this league, where incidentally we haven't managed one season unbeaten - that tells it's own story me thinks. Also, White Hart used to finish second in the other league behind us so the standard must have jumped up considerably recently if the teams in the other league are good enough to win this league now! I don't doubt that they have very good players and as you say Falconar and Bickham are good quality but overall (as you also say) i don't think their league is as strong and would love to arrange some kind of match or Team KO to find out. With your connections Mr Tonkin sir, is this a possibility do you think? That's if people in this league would be up for it of course?

Also good to hear the opinion of someone who has leagues in different regions to compare with. I suppose for a local league the standard probably is quite good, but I think sometimes we all get a little negative about the overall standard, especially if we play some lower placed teams a few weeks on the trot and do well. But more or less every league is the same in that regard I'd imagine. Personally I think the standard of this league is getting higher each season, with the Eagles, Bulls, Sharks, maybe the Demons now and Pythons (in the winter) all more than capable of putting up a great show on their day. You could probably name coming on for a couple of dozen players who you would call decent. Speaks volumes that we haven't managed a season unbeaten yet and have been pushed close for the title, especially last season. Every league wants to attract decent new players to raise the standard and provide stiff competition and I think that's happening. As already mentioned, the other league does have players like Falconar and Bickham (along with Symons and Knuckey to name another 2 that spring to mind) but I think the gulf overall is quite obvious.

As for the challenge match idea, I think we had more than enough people willing to play last time it was mentioned but nothing was heard from the other league. Have a word Joe! I quite like the idea of the top four teams from each league playing each other to sort out the general quality standard between leagues comparison, but as the logistics would probably be impossible then any kind of match up would be good! Considering the Bulls finished fourth last season and always used to finish ahead of the pack in the other league, I'm sure it'd be interesting! Also, I suppose if something did come off we could always have trophies for the winners... Providing our league paid for them of course!!!

Thinking about my last post when I mentioned there's probably coming on for a couple of dozen decent players in our league, just out of interest (I'm sure Joe will reply if nobody else!) who do people think are the top ten players in the league??

Interesting question Mr Jory!

I would say on pool playing ability ONLY:

1. Gareth Ball

2. Adam Clift

3. Phil Lane

4. Mark Moyle

5. Dave Metcalfe

6. Rod Burrows

7. Jez Hooper

8. Simon O'Mahony

9. Paul Murphy

10. Rob Charman

Although others will disagree, i think 5 or 6 of those players will appear in everyones top 10!

Good point about pool playing ability. I have to say that my list of 10 people with the best pool playing ability ONLY would be different than, say, a list of the 10 best pool players, or the 10 people you think would get you most wins in a season!

no particular order but my ten players, who i think are the best pool players, even if they are not on form now are:

1) Jez Hooper 2) Gareth Ball 3) rodney burrows 4) Adam Clift 5) Paul Gee 6) rob charman 7)Myself 8) dave metcalfe 9) mark moyle 10) shaun wills.

Quite an intresting subject to be honest! As I have played in both leagues and I have had this conversation with Mr Clift a few years back this league is alot stronger and a much better format in the winter! There are a few decent players scattered around the other league but as per teams our top 5 or 6 teams would win the other league! It would be intresting if the best players from each league were to have a match against each other for bragging rights but we know that aint gona happen!

As for the best 10 players in the league i would like to have a shout. In no order=

1) J HOOPER

2)P LANE

3)R BURROWS

4)D METCALFE

5)P MURPHY

6)G BALL

7)A CLIFT

8)R CHARMAN

9)L SAUNDRY(NIGE)

10)M MOYLE

I hope I didnt offend anyone with my selection of players as there are many other good pool players in our league. As we are on the subject of good players I will mention the most improved player I think is ANDY JORY! When I first saw him play i never rated him but over the seasons I have seen a drastic change in his game and he is a much improved player.This is not a pisstake towards Mr Jory this is alot of praise and respect and he is a fellow pool player and a great guy!

lol murphy. to be honest my ten should include jory but i left him out on purpose as i wanted to see his reaction :-) plus he is a liverpool fan(scum).

if u think about it, it isnt right to leave jory out of any top ten in this league as he has been the nearest person out of the players who havent played at county level to represent his county. narrowly missing by 1 frame on at least three occasions i think. people under estimate him bcos of his cueing action but 9/10 he'll make that long shot.

Gerbil would easily walk into my top ten, no question about it. Also does anyone actually think that if you were to get the best six players together in a team then they'd walk the league? In my opinion, they may (and only may) win the league but there's no guarantee as attitude plays a big part along with temperament, not to mention controlling any personality and ego clashes. Luckily i haven't had people quit on the team halfway through a match or lost the plot because of the number they were played in but it's happened against us and that's not good for any team regardless of how good the player is.

These are the top four and should be for everyone (again no order)

Ball, Burrows, Clift & Hooper

Next six

Metcalfe, Jory, P Lane, Wills, Charman, Gee

The next can make it into the top six when there on form

Matthews, O'Mahony, Moyle, Saundry, Murphy, Tonkin and Myself

All different in the winter when you could add at least another 5 people

Much as I hate to do it, I've got to mostly agree with the Pistol. Top four 'shoo ins' are (in alphabetical order), Ball, Burrows, Clift and Hooper. Should be in the top 10 players in the league in anyone's list. Then I'd say there's a general group including Charman, Jory, Lane (Phil), Metcalfe, Moyle, Murphy, Saundry, Wills, with the argument for a couple of others like Tonkin, O'Mahony who could join them if on form. Plus chuck in Isaacs and Rev from the Winter. But from those playing Summer League at the minute I'd have to go for:

Ball

Burrows

Charman

Clift

Hooper

Jory

Lane (P)

Metcalfe

Moyle/Saundry (I see them as one player, strange but true?!)

Murphy

As for the debate of including me in the top 10, in all honesty I didn't expect many (or any) people to stick me in, so cheers for the comments lads! I'd like to think of myself as top 10 but I know my weaknesses and where I need to improve. Not least of all my cue action where if I'm off form it goes to s*it!! Oh yeah, plus the fact I have no cue anymore, that doesn't help! Have really enjoyed playing again the last couple of seasons though, and hopefully I will keep on improving Mr Murphy!!!! Can't wait til I'm 50 :) And obviously no offence taken at anything, as it's all about opinions and opinions are what makes it interesting to discuss!

Oh yeah, forgot about Tris (Pistol) Prigg!! When he's on form of course... I'd say in that group with Tonkin etc. Maybe we'll see some of that form soon eh Tris?!

Plus, of course, Rob Goldsworthy as of next week. With some practice I'd have him in my top ten as a definite.

LMAO at how low down i am in your list jory. actually enjoy being under-estimated for once :-). top 4 is right but the next 6 cud be any of 15 players in the league. but no chance is moyler better than me :-) good defender tho in footy.

Well as I said earlier, it's all about opinions, but I can only go on what I've witnessed Mr Tonkin, not reputation, leagues won up country, your perception of yourself or achievements at Uni level. And from what I've witnessed I wouldn't put you n the top ten players in the league.

Prove me wrong!!!

Hey from what I've witnessed this season I wouldnt put myself in the top ten either!lol. well i had my first practice session last night since ive come back to cornwall, albeit only 45mins worth but there was a slight improvement. my game is all about confidence and if I have none im f**ked. anyway should be interesting to see how the bulls get on against the sharks this wednesday. anyone fancy guessing the score???

lol i eat my own words, and moyler was right what he said to me tonight. chow players.

maybe some quadro action or county singles can inspire me for next season. cant compete with the love u all have for pool right now. oao(over and out).

1 hooper

2 burrows

3 clift

4 ball

5 lane (p)

6 metcalfe

7 moyle

8 charman

9 gee

10 o mahony

here endeth my top ten

in no order and these are players that are the most consistent over a lengthy period and players i i have respect for

1.metcalfe

2.burrows

3.clift

4.olds

5.gilks

6.wills

7.ball

8.gee

9.saundry

10.goldsworthy.

i respect a load more but these are players in my top ten,there are a few chosen in other teams who wouldnt touch my top twenty as there will be in mine and at the end of the day its all personal preference.

Just a comment from looking at the various lists, but one player a few years ago who I would have had as a top ten walk in is Paul Gee. Nowadays, no chance. Yet quite a few other people have his name down. Is it just me? Do I just never see the best of him anymore and always catch him on an off day? Or are people just using the old rose tinted specs? Don't get me wrong, still a v good player on his day, but that day is more and more erratic coming around! (In my opinion of course, and absolutely no offence intended as I know Mr Gee sometimes reads this website...). Would maybe have him in the top 20 but definitely not top 10 material at the minute!

Watch him go and batter us off the table in all 3 games tomorrow night now!

Gerbil would easily walk into my top ten, no question about it. Also does anyone actually think that if you were to get the best six players together in a team then they'd walk the league? In my opinion, they may (and only may) win the league but there's no guarantee as attitude plays a big part along with temperament, not to mention controlling any personality and ego clashes. Luckily i haven't had people quit on the team halfway through a match or lost the plot because of the number they were played in but it's happened against us and that's not good for any team regardless of how good the player is.

--- adamclift 

No I don't. I think there are many egos which clash in the league, and very, very different playing styles. There are people you could never put together in doubles for example, as well as younger players who would be a whole lot better if encouraged instead of slated. For you guys listing your top team bear in mind Marcus Tresidder who has quietly won 7 out of 7 frames and has a very wise pool head on his shoulders.

My team would probably include

Coran, Paulo, Marcus, Gareth Ball, Adam Clift, J Hooper and I could name a few more.

I have to say again though picking a team purely on paper would not work and I think you need people who will always remain calm like dick ash on your team.

not sure if thats a dig about me quitting, but my reason is nothing to do with ego. well i didnt see it that way orginally but when i think about it maybe it is. im so used to winning and not putting effort in that when i came home i thought i wud walk it!(BIG MISTAKE) but also good mistake as it made me realise that if u want to be good at something u need to put ur heart into it. in the winter I will, but right now i need a break, however jo i think 6 out of the 8 best players(including prigg(was only kidding) in the league come from the eagles!!! so really the best players in the league do play for one team, ( the other 2 are hooper and yes i admitt phil lane) sick potter!!! anyway i love tis league so will see u in winter, PS JO is the best girl player iknow. she owns half of the league souls including mine right now!!!! but that wont last :-) x

No Joe the ego thing was not aimed at anyone in particular.

Joe you completely crack me up - are you ever sober when you post on here? I agree with whoever said you need to keep playing for the increase in message board activity if nothing else!! Really looking forward to the rematch too at your place. Bring it on!

Well i "helped" out lewis last nite as he was short of a player and preceeded to get my ass kicked by the lounge bar in singles, doubles, and trebles. I would say there are about 60 odd players in this league and right now i wouldnt even be in the top 50!!! im soo bad all i can do is laugh.