A NEW Worcestershire Blackball Pool team has been launched in a bid to pocket success for the first time.
Talented players from across Worcester and Malvern have cued up to compete in the National County competition against counties such as Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.
Blackball pool rules were first published in 2005 and mean players pot either red or yellow balls and a black ball rather than the eight-ball format which asks players to pot balls in a specific order.
Worcestershire Blackball County Pool Association is based at the Newtown Club on Newtown Road in Malvern.
Two representative men’s sides are currently in action although association chairman Fred Tandy and team manager Kosta Kyte hope to add women’s and youth sides for the 2018 season.
The 2017 season has provided the association with a positive but tough start with the A side, captained by Jack Kyte, recently going down to Oxfordshire 19-17.
Despite the loss, there were some impressive performances from snooker player Jon Lewis and talented youngster Ashley Hill, who both won three out of the four frames they played.
The B side, captained by Danny Bell, were also defeated 26-10 at the same venue despite positive performances from both Luke Crocker and player of the match Gary Baetjar, who both picked up two wins.
Association secretary Luke Crocker said: “We would like to give recognition to Kosta who has almost single handledly transformed the local pool scene in Malvern in the past five years.
“The Malvern Pool League has gone from strength to strength with the addition of several new sides and a dramatic increase in the quality of pool being played, as well the decision to implement blackball rules.
“The game of blackball is now the leading rule set played worldwide. It’s down to these changes and Kostas hard work that we are now representing both Malvern and Worcestershire on a national scale.”
Pool competitions are held every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Newtown Club where everyone is welcome.