BigJake wrote:
The real McCoys 4 - Lending the name 3.

It was another cracking night of pool at the Elmer Lodge tonight. For centuries the sacred title Cuemaster had been bestowed on the very best pool playing teams in the world. The mere mention of the title 'Cuemaster' has for millenia sent teams running to far flung reaches of the country in an attempt to avoid their inevitable defeat.

Yet somehow by a strange miracle of circumstance our current league possessed not one but two teams each bestowed with the miraculous title. What was to be done? How was this absurd situation to be remedied? Fate sorted the specifics - and tonight a battle was fought to the death.

The two Cuemasters, Bromley and Elmer, met for the once in a lifetime battle. The right to decide who was really worthy of that miraculous name. On paper both teams seemed to have the requisite credentials, but which team had truly earned the name past down from millenia of Cuemasters, and which were bandishing the shield, hiding that dark secret, that they were frauds that they weren't the real McCoy?

Spectators had to shield their eyes from the luminous light that filled the room as the two teams stood to open the battle with the signing of the team sheets. Miles around the Beckenham area people were seen pointing westward at the strange glow that eminated from that glorious building - known localy as The Elmer Lodge.

It was no easy task to sort these two teams. The captain of the Bromley Cuemasters took to the stage first securing the first game for his team and sending the Elmer warrior - Gary Bacon back to his seat wondering what he had done wrong. Despite Andy Bentleys impressive start Casey fast earning a reputation as the meanest cue in the south, approached the table. The omens were good for the Elmer warriors as Casey grinned with a seeming forsight of the victory he was about to craft, deadly stick in hand he bent to the table. With a battle that would have made Napoleon proud he secured the second game for the Elmers. Elmer Cuemsasters 1 - Bromley Cuemasters 1.

Testimony to the valour of the great Elmer side, a certain Mr David Rimmer took on an army of barbaric football thugs as he shouted (and yes this is true...) "Can you all be quite! Don't you know there is a pool match going on in here?" - In true warrior fashion, so as not to deny this courageous man any of his glory the Elmers stepped to one side clearly distancing themself from this valiant man and his army of football cheerers (numbering no less than forty in number, it should be realised!) To the relief of both sides standing at the table, Dave decided to let the rabble off, the stares subsided, and the match continued.

It ebbed and flowed until finally battle weary and bloodied the true champions stood proud. They had secured victory from the imposters and won a result that will forever reverberate in the annuls of Cuesports.

Elmer Cuemasters 4 - Bromley Cuemasters (title on loan) 3.

An amazing victory for the division four side that are recently abolishing any that dare step in their way. With the untouchable powers of the Cuemaster shield now forever rightfully theirs, who can stand in their way?

The Bromely Cuemasters however it must be said, possess qualities worthy of their champion team for which they are so well regarded.

The battle they brought to that table will forever be remembered in Beckenham lore. A team as gracious in defeat as any ever encountered.

The Elmer Cuemasters have now settled surely, any questions as to the proper lineage of the title. The battle now over they have fought so hard to win, the Elmer Cuemasters once again adorn themselves in the shield that is Cuemaster. A team united. A team victorious.

(special thanks go to the Bromley Cuemaster Captain - for not shunning me at the bus-stop, as the dark bitter wind blew all around me, but instead - for pulling over and driving me home - you don't get much more gracious than that!)

The team of warriors : Gary Bacon, Casey Everit, Ricky Cook, David Rimmer, Marco Angelo, Gary Moylan, Andy Barnsdale - and of course, -Ted Freeman, a never ending source of inspiration and drive to his team - are taking a few hours to enjoy their victory - before they get back to the table and prepare, once again, to break another teams dreams.