League matches resumed this week in the South London & Kent Pool Alliance after the Christmas break.

There was little to cheer for the Jolly Fenman in the premier division.

They slipped to their first defeat of the season away at the George IV, which enabled the Hotshots to open up a sizeable gap at the top.

Their 13-2 crushing victory at the Summerfield now sees the Hotshots go 17 points clear, and will take a bit of catching.

The Pickwick applied a little pressure for the runners up spot, an 11-4 victory against a weakened Riley’s team helps their cause.

Simon Evans inspired the underdogs, Fox Under The Hill, to overcome the Beehive 9-6.

His complete set of victories aided the Fox in their long standing rivalry with the Beehive.

Woolwich Catholic Club won an important match up in the relegation dog fight.

Their 8-7 victory away at the Coach & Horses gives them a little breathing space from the drop zone.

The battle to climb into the top division from the first division remains an extremely tight affair.

Unbeaten Kings Arms were made to fight all the way in their home match with Lee Green Constitutional Club.

Without Nick Grindley holding his nerve to win the deciding frame and complete his third success of the evening, the Kings Arms would surely have lost their unbeaten record.

The King William IV and Blue Anchor maintained their challenges for the title.

The King William won a local derby 9-6 against the Ship & Billet, and the Blue Anchor just edged out Riley’s Royals by a single frame.

Bellegrove Social Club’s Jekyll and Hyde season continues.

This week they thumped the Eagle Tavern 14-1, and were they to maintain that sort of form it could see them involved in the promotion picture come March.

A welcome 8-7 home victory for the Angerstein Hotel plants them firmly in mid table, very respectable for the first season in the SLKPA.

New teams are always welcome into the SLKPA, with teams consisting of 5 or more players and matches played on Thursday evenings.

A low budget pilot league is being launched early 2009 to attract more teams into the SLKPA. Team registrations now being taken.

For more information log onto www.slkpa.com or contact Paul Gafa’ on 07753 926291.