Cup run in the balance

No snooker betting this week but our team were in action in the second and final group match in our local league cup competition, we had won the first match against last years league champions by 43pts so a win would put us through to the semi finals or perhaps even a narrow defeat would be sufficient with the best second placed team from the three groups also qualifying but that would be dependent on other results.
We had beaten our opponents 4-1 in a league fixture at home so they were bringing out a couple of big guns for this one in the shape of a couple of reportedly hundred-break men, though both had been handicapped by the league committee as giving up 28pts per frame.
The first of these players came up against our rather wayward new signing who decided after missing an early sitter that this was not going to be his day and became increasingly defeatist in his attitude, eventually losing by 52pts (despite the original 28pt buffer) and biting off his tip in true Ronnie style at the end. Rather more worrying is the fact that he has spotted Michael Holt playing in one of the other clubs he frequents and seems to be now holding him up as a role model temperamentally!
We were 70 behind by the time I came to play the other hundred break man but one thing I have managed to learn over the years is that if you dont leave them on they cant pot them and actually played my best team game of the season, at one stage leading 91-2 with just the colours left but unfortunately I didnt pot any further balls and that ended up being crucial as my winning margin was cut to 62.
With the opposition holding an eight point lead, their fourth man won by three and our last man won by one (he needed pink and black to take us through) but at least it gives us an outside chance of progressing which we wouldnt really have expected after the original draw.
On the betting front, with the lack of opportunities I returned to the ice hockey markets and actually enjoyed a great run with six winners out of seven so hope that it can continue as I had started the NHL season in less than impressive style when some of last years trends didnt seem to be carrying forward this time around. The face off areas have been moved this season in certain circumstances so its probably this factor that has caused a bit of a changearound in retrospect.
I also backed Villa to win at Hull in midweek at evens and sat through a dull as dishwater match, much the same as many at Derby have been over the last couple of years it has to be said but eventually the result was right for me when Ashley Young's cross was deflected into his own net by one of the home defenders. I was cursing a bit when ref Mr Bennett pointed to the spot for a Hull penalty though with about three seconds left I made it but after consulting with a linesman the decision was rightly overturned.
I'm fearing the worst for my team Derby tomorrow at Forest Green to be honest, as I said last week have got tickets for the match and sounds like it will go ahead with the pitch being covered for the last few days. However, after consulting the prices, 4/5 for us to win in 90 mins looked too tempting to resist, some of the compilers had Villa this very price against Hull for a match between two teams in the same league so with ourselves three tiers above the opposition tomorrow, had to give it a bash more in hope than judgement though!!
Paul Jewell has resigned and been replaced by his assistant Chris Hutchings for the next two games, his track record hasnt been so great up to now, plus we have a fair few injuries and suspensions to cope with so everything is in place for a tough match down there with the opposition battling for everything on an icy pitch.
Have also increased my bankroll on the greyhounds with a few of my usual favourites, again a fair few have been odds on but they have mostly been class animals up against also rans and in the main the majority have come out on top.
The Prestige Stakes for stayers starts tonight at Hall Green with the classy Romeo Maldini the hot favourite at 6/4 in the ante post lists. I'll probably have some of that even at what appear prohibitive odds at first glance as it would be a major shock if he doesnt go very close indeed as long as he stays out of trouble. In fact might concentrate mainly on the staying division for bets as if your dog does get baulked at some stage, there is often still time for it to get going unlike some of the races over the shorter distances.
Shelbourne Aston the Irish Derby winner returns after a bit of a lay off in the John Casey Open at Shelbourne on Saturday night and it looks a high class entry with the likes of fellow Derby finalists Headleys Bridge, Tyrur Laurel as well as the promising bitch Kildallon Maid in the mix.
Plus only a week behind with the horse racing form now (regular readers will know I have been straining every sinew to catch up, well almost anyway). Should mention I drew a blank in the Arima Kinen Grade 1 Japanese race with my bets last weekend, probably the one lowlight of the week.
In the end the filly Daiwa Scarlet made all to justify favouritism but had put a line through her due to her outside pitch, seems she got a fairly easy lead though and spent most of the race on the inside rail where she most likes to be, in front. My nearest charge was the Japan Cup winner Screen Hero who gave chase in second but seemed to run out of gas and faded into fourth place while course specialist Matsurida Gogh was pushed very wide around the final turn and weakened out of contention.
Anyway better get the map out for Nailsworth!!
All the best for now
Rick