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Here are the results for the 2nd to last week of regular season play - 

The Nuggets headed downtown to take on the Down Lo, and a very good match enveloped. The two teams were tied at the beer frame, thanks to the Town Lounge's Steve Hale getting 3 and Kevin getting 2, and the Nuggets' Kenny Duff getting all 3 and Mike Brandt, Sr. getting 2. Mike Karol and Moses won the beer frame against Jason and Jessee. Dave and Jason got 2 in the bottom half, and Howard came through in his second frame to get the deciding point. Town Lounge was victorious 11-10.

The Dragons were home taking on the 1st place Down Lo team, and got a good beating 6-15. Gregg Prendergast continued his hot shooting, winning all 3. Russ, for the Down Lo'ers, also got the hat trick. Kevin and Jason won the beer frame for the away team. This may have sealed first place for the Down Lo this season.

The 8-Ballers were home at Nick's hosting the Oasis Original O's. They fought back in the second half to make it a game, but still lost 9-12. Brian got all 3 for the Nick's club, and Joel finished the night with a 3-0 victory for Oasis. Joel and James couldn't get the beer frame from Rob and Brian, as Nick's won the honors.

Another close game took place at the Last Call where the Hammer Heads were hosting the Empire Club, who were still reeling from their last unfortunate game. All the games were 2-1 victories for each club, but Pat got the important one - the second to last game, giving the Empire a much deserved 11-10 win. James and Pat also beat Nick and Rich Jr. in the beer frame to save Mike Dixon from buying the rounds.

The Nick's Stickmen are doing everything possible to give up the 8th and final playoff spot to the 8-Ballers, as they got drummed 18-3 by the Oasis Bulldogs. The 'Dogs had it won at the beer frame, up 11-1. The Stickmen managed to get two more in the bottom half for a whoppin' total of 3 points. Many 3-0 victories to go around (for the Bulldogs) - Dennis, Keith, Chris, and Frank all had 3-0 victories, and Henry and Brian beat Leo and Wheezel for the beer frame honors. The Stickmen are only ahead by 1 point over the 8-Ballers for playoff rights - it will obviously come down to the final game for each club to see who continues their 2009-2010 season.

Just to note - the Empire and Nuggets still have to play their make-up game. Unless the Empire team loses extremely bad to the Nuggets and Down Lo, and either of the two Nick's teams win in huge fashions in their final matches, the Empire should be safely in the playoffs. We'll see! I'll post the playoff schedules ASAP after this Thursday's games, so captains - please get your score sheets in as soon as you can - I will be out of town Monday to Thursday, and would like to get things finalized before then.

The Top Shooter standings have changed - it looks like Jason C. from Down Lo is now up by 1% over Mike Karol, but again, Mike's team has 2 games left to play. This again will be decided in the final match(es).

Good luck in your final regular season game!

-Scott-

Larry Rohde

In Memory

The Chico Mens Pool League lost a member and a brother Thursday night. Larry Rohde of the Empire Club, suffered an apparent fatal heart attack during his team's match against the Oasis Nuggets on Thursday night, February 18th. He was rushed to Enloe Hospital with his wife, but they were unable to revive him. Larry, a Chico Mens Pool League veteran of many years, was easily one of the nicest guys in the league. It was always a fun match to play against him, or even just talking with him during the night. Before joining the Empire Club a few years ago, he was a member of the Last Call team in Chico. His son, Kris, also played for the Empire club. Our prayers and support for Kris, his family, his friends and teammates go out to them in these difficult times. Speaking for me, my team, and the entire Pool League, Larry will be missed and remembered for seasons to come. I will post more information as it becomes available concerning funeral services and a donation fund for his family, as well as a make up game between the two teams. I ask all other players and teams to remember Larry for the great person that he was, and offer support wherever and however possible. Good bye Larry. We will miss you.

And down the stretch they come...

The Nuggets were home this week hosting the Nick's Stickmen. It was a blowout early as the Nug's were up 10-2 going into the beer frame, thanks to 3-0 wins from Kenny, Mike Brandt, Sr., and Mike Karol - back to back to back. Mike K. got one of his via an 8-ball break and run. The Nick's tandem of Cele and Brandon got the beer frame from Mike Karol and Kenny Duff. Nick's did salvage 5 of the last 9, making the final score a not-so-ugly 14-7. Moses won two for the Nuggets, getting an 8-ball break and run on the way.

On the main table at the Oasis, the Original O's were taking on the Empire Club. They won solidly by a final score of 13-8. Stacy started off the night with 2 wins, one of them by an 8-ball break and run. Slade had the lone 3-0 victory for the Oasis club. Mike Dixon and Troy won the beer frame honors for Durham.

Last Call was home hosting the first place Down Lo squad, and got their asses handed to them in a 17-4 Down Lo victory. Four players had 3-0 wins for the Downtown Chico group - Charles, Kevin, Gregg, and Russ. Kevin and Larry each had 8-ball break and runs, while Russ and Gregg won the beer frame for Down Lo.

The Dragons were on the road to take on the Town Lounge. Tempers were kept in check this time around, and the Dragons won 12-9. Brenon and Micah won the beer frame 2-0 on the road versus Steve Hale and Jesse. The two teams were tied going into the final pairing of Howard and Micah, and Micah pulled out the 3-0 victory to seal the deal.

The 8-Ballers were home at Nick's, hosting the Bulldogs of Oasis. Rob got off to a 3-0 start for the 'Ballers, but Chris countered with a 3-0 win of his own for the 'Dogs. The two teams went into the half knotted up at 6. Ed and Brian won the beer frame for Oasis, defeating Mike and Pops. In the bottom half, the Bulldogs won each of their matches 2 out of 3, giving them the win with a final score of 12-9.

The Down Lo is in the lead in the standings, up by 13 over the Bulldogs. At the other end of the playoff picture, the Stickmen are just 3 points ahead of the 8-Ballers for the important and final 8th playoff spot.

Good luck in the final 3 matches!

-Scott-

Here's the results for last week...

Over at the Oasis, the Original O's were taking on the first place Down Lo squad. The Down Lo shot out of the gates, up 9-3 at the break. Charles got it all started with a 3-0 win to begin the night, but the O's came back with a vengeance in the second half, getting 2 from Captain Mike, 3 from Slade, and finally 2 from Joel to make the final score a close 11-10 Down Lo victory. Kevin and Russ were victorious over Mike and Brandon O. for the beer frame honors.

In another common Oasis intra-bar match-up, the Nuggets were 'hosts' to the Dragons. The Nuggets came back after being down 5-7 at the beer frame, to take the win 12-9. The Nugget's Moses was the only player on the night to get a 3-0 victory, and he helped Mike Karol get the beer frame victory versus Joby and John Chamberlin.

In another intra-bar match-up, the 8-Ballers of Nick's were the official home team, taking on the Stickmen of Nick's. The 8-Ballers rocketed out to a 10-2 lead going into the beer frame, but the Stickmen stormed back winning 7 of the final 9 games, making the loss an almost respectable 9-12. Keith started the second-half comeback attempt with a 3-0 hat trick, right after Mike and Pops gave the 'Ballers a bragging right beer frame win, beating Cele and Sundy in 2 games.

The Bulldogs of Oasis headed South to a sleepy little town called Durham to take on the Empire. Dennis helped the 'Dogs get out to a 9-3 first-half lead, thanks to his 3-0 victory. In the second half, James came back with a hat trick of his own for the Durham dudes, picking one of those wins up via the 'ole 8-Ball Break and Run. Steve finished the night off for the Oasis crew with a big 3-0 closing frame. Steve and Dennis won the beer frame for Stacy, defeating Ty and James 2-0.

Still waiting for results from the Towne Lounge/Last Call confrontation. The Lounge was the home bar and responsible for the scoresheet. I'll update when I have more information.

Good luck in week #14!

-Scott-

Happy New Year! As we begin the second half of the schedule, you'll notice it's the same as the first half - just swapping home teams. So it's rematch time here on out!

Don't forget to vote in the polls - this week, our edition of the 'Best of Chico (& Durham)'. Look for it in the lower right hand column of this page.

Week 10 Results...

The Oasis Bulldogs were home this time hosting the Towne Lounge players. The Bulldogs won big - 15-6. Chris and Jim had back to back 3-0 victories to almost seal the deal for the 'Dogs in the first half, as they were winning 10-2 going into the beer frame. The Lounge managed a few before the end of the night to make it a little more respectable. Howard and Dave did take the beer frame from Frank and Ed.

Two other Oasis teams squared off at Chico's Oldest Beer Joint, the Oasis O's played home versus their bar-mates, the Dragons. The Original O's came up short, 8-13. Stacy and Joel each got 3-win frames for their squad, and James V. chipped in with a win - an 8-Ball Break & Run at that. For the victorious Dragons, Mike D. and Micah got 3-0 wins to help the cause. But the real story for the Dragons has to be Jeff Brun - a career night: First, helps Micah win the beer frame. Then gets right back to the table to shoot in the 5 spot. He goes on to take all 3 games from the Oasis captain. If that's not enough, he wins games 1 and 3 via 8-Ball Break & Runs. Way to go Heff-ay!

On the far North side of town, the Last Call Hammer Heads were playing host to the Oasis Nuggets. After only getting one win last week, the Hammer Heads turned things around and got a total of 10 this week, versus the 3rd place Nuggets. The Oasis crew got the final and deciding point in the very last frame, as Moses stole one game from Sean Wasson. Captain Sean, playing in only his third night of the year, might be the lucky spark to get things turned around for the 'Sharks - he also helped Jerry get the beer frame win. For the Nuggets, Kenny Duff and Mike Karol each got 3-0 hat tricks to help in their close win. It was Kenny's league-leading 6th 3-0 night of the year.

On the South side of town, the Stickmen of Nick's were hosting the first-place Down Lo team. The D-Lo's played top-notch pool as they have all year, and stuck the Stickmen with a 16-5 beat down. This loss slides the Stickmen all the way down to 9th place in the standings, while it propels the Down Lo to a 5-point lead at the top. Larry and newcomer Joel Castle each got 3-0 victories to solidify the win, but Kevin and Joel couldn't hold off the onslaught of the Keith and Brandon Norman tandem in the beer frame, giving the Stickmen their share of the league lead in beer frame wins.

The other Nick's team, the 8-Ballers, were also at home versus the Empire. The 'Ballers were tied going into the final frame 9-9, but the Empire club didn't have a 7th player and had to forfeit the final 3 games, giving the Nick's team a 12-9 win. Mike and Pop's couldn't get the beer frame for the 8-Ballers - James and Pat won it 2-0. All games were either 2-1 or 1-2, except for Doug's forfeit game - he got all 3, but it doesn't count towards his personal stats.

Good luck in week 11!

-Scott-

As the League breaks for Christmas and New Years, the first half is over. Here's what happened in week #9...

The Nick's 8-Ballers hosted the Towne Lounge team, but the guests ran away with it in the second half of the night and left with a solid 15-6 victory. The two Steves, Hale and Wells, both recorded 3-0 wins for the Lounge, but Mike and Jimmy won 2 of the 3 beer frame games to give the Ballers a beer frame win.

The Hammer Heads of Last Call headed to the Oasis to take on the Bulldogs, and couldn't get out of there fast enough. In the most lopsided game of the year so far, the 'Dogs handed the Hammer Heads a whoopin' - a 20-1 smack-down. Glen got the only win for the Last Call crew, as obviously there were plenty of 3-0 wins to go around for the Bulldogs - Keith, Dennis, Henry, Frank, Bryan, and Steve each got one. Captain Steve was even able to get one of his wins via an 8-Ball Break and Run out. Adding insult to injury, Chris and Frank won the beer frame, too.

Across town, the Durham Empire Club headed underground to the Down Lo to face the first-place team. The Down Lo group held up to their status by handing the Empire a crushing 18-3 defeat. Troy and Eric were the only Durham players to record points - Eric was able to get 2. On the other side, plenty more 3-0 wins for the stat sheets - Charles, Larry, Jason, and Graham each got hat-tricks. The Empire didn't make it easier on themselves by only bringing 6 players, forfeiting the last match. Newcomer Russ Bryan 'won' all 3, but doesn't get the easy stats - just team points. One bright side for the Empire Club - Mike and Pat stole the beer frame from Charles and Jason.

In the only close game of the week, in an intra-bar match between the Oasis Nuggets and the Oasis O's, the Nuggets eeked out an 11-10 win. The Nugget's Mike Karol, Mike Brandt Sr., and Kenny Duff each got 3-win matches, with Karol and Sr. getting an 8-Ball Break and Run Out each. Troy and Slade kept the match close for the O's with some 3-0 wins themselves. Mike Brandt Sr. made the night an officially good one for him, as he also chipped in a beer frame win aside Lee Taylor.

In the last match of the first half, the Nick's Stickmen hosted the Oasis Dragons. The Dragons got back on their winning ways by shutting down the Stickmen 14-7. Jeff Brun and Mike D. each got 3-0 wins to help the scoreboard. With both home bars in the house, Nick's owner Dave Day was facing an expensive bar tab, but the Stickmen matched their other team, the 8-Ballers, with another beer frame win - thanks to Jesse Uribe and Sundy Stogden.

Thanks again for a great first half! I'm looking forward to an equally good and fun second half, as hopefully so are you. The countdown is on - 9 games left until the playoffs or the end of the year party, or both!

Have a great Christmas and New Years - hope you were good this year and get a new pool cue from Santa! See you in 2010.

-Scott-