[POOL] Last night's (and weeks') results

[John Valdes]

Ugh.

It was another tough night for the Moe Syzlak Experience.  I forget
the name of the team we played (Dennis's team, the Dutch guy w/ the
pony tail), but collectively we didn't play them very well.

Our sole win was quick, right at the start of the night, when Roger
played Mike in a 1:7.  Roger played him well in the game, with the
game coming down to shots on the 8 for both players, when Mike on his
shot scratches, giving the game and the match to Roger (way to go
Roger!).  Unfortunately, that would be our sole match win for the
night.

Bill went next against Dennis in a 3:7.  I only caught the tail end of
the match, but I could tell that Bill was struggling, not making shots
he'd normally make.  I think he was distracted by the news of Favre's
retirement.  In any event, Bill couldn't catch a break during the
match and lost by a touchdown, 0 to 7.

Brian T was next, facing Hal, a new player to the league.  Hal's an
older guy, maybe a retiree, who tested in last night with a 90
handicap...  Brian faced him in a 3:6.  Brian played him well for most
of the match, but towards the end, it seemed that Brian too starting
falling a bit off his game, and despite taking it to a rubber game,
Brian went down, losing the match 2 to 6.

While Brian T's match was going, Brian R started his, playing yet
another tough player, Jim, in a 1:7 match up.  Brian's playing
continues to improve, but Jim was very tough, and alas Brian wasn't
able to muster up a win, and lost his match 0 to 7.  I didn't get to
see all of the match, as mine started during Brian R's, after Brian
T's match finished.

I faced Rich in a 2:3.  I played like crap.  I think it was my worst
night ever.  After giving up two games quickly to Rich, I somehow
managed to regain some composure and won the 3rd game.  The rubber
game started out promisingly, after rarely sinking a ball on my break
and putting together a small 3 ball run afterwards.  Unfortunately,
all that accomplished was to make room on the table for Rich, who then
ran in all his balls and the 8, without me ever getting another turn
to shoot.  So I went down too, 1 to 3.

Ugh.

So in the end, we went 1 and 4 for the night.  For his singular
acheivement, we awarded Roger the foot spot from our table, which had
somehow come unglued during the night (not unlike the team :) )

In case you were wondering, the last 2 weeks' matches didn't fair much
better.  I don't remember all the details (I've been trying to
suppress them), but last week we played Grampa Vic's team (or
something like that) and also lost 1:4 (I think), and the week before
that Andy's team (Andy w/ the baseball cap) and lost 2:3 (I think).

Last week, we were really 1 and 5 on the night since we played a make
up game against X-Cue-ses.  If I remember right, Brian T was the sole
winner, beating his opponent in his match despite having a sore foot.
I remember Ti being uncharacteristically off his game, rattling balls
in pockets which he usually smoothly sinks.  It didn't help that our
table played like a putting green, with uphills and downhills which
put noticeable curve on the slow rollers (and a raised foot spot which
just outright redirected balls that passed over it).  I remember
losing 1:2 to Art in a 2:2 which I should have won.  The others
defeated that night were Roger, Craig and Brian R, who played the make
up game.

The week before we actually played pretty well, but nevertheless ended
up on the losing end of the night.  Winners, if I remember correctly,
were Brian T and Rob (or maybe it was Roger?).  Brian R played very
well against Andy, having shots on the 8 in at least 2 of his games,
but wasn't able to seal the deal.  I started out well against Amanda
in a 2:3, winning the lag and the first game, but it went to the
rubber game, where I left the 8 hanging in a far corner pocket after a
long (but makable) cut, which Amanda then easily sunk to take the
match.

Oh well, there's still plenty more pool to be played, and in the end,
it's really the beer that matters... :)

John