THE Vale of Glamorgan county pool team have earned promotion in their first season as a club.

Captain James Hill took his players to Neath knowing a win would see them finish as champions, but unfortunately a poor performance saw them beaten for the first time this season in their final fixture.

Ultimately it was a big ask for the Vale side to play against such a strong team with so many of their best players unavailable. With John Farrugia, Mark Ingram, birthday boy Ryan Rowlands and Barry's number one pool player Chris Bardsley all missing, the task of beating the newly crowned champions fell to Ceri Morris, Dan Roderick, Ian Hill and Paul Everest to lead the way.

Debutant Wayne Hobson and Miles Dunn put in strong performances, but ultimately the rest of the side, including the usually dependable Graham Avaient were unable to replicate their form from earlier in the season.

In the league, the Libs Rejects claimed a 10-2 victory against O'Brien's, with Tom Ivins and Ben Nicholas in excellent potting form as both players won all four of their matches. John 'Wolfie' Wolfenden and Martyn Croke won two early frames for O'Brien's to level the score at 2-2, but the Rejects hit back to win the remaining eight frames despite a number of them being very tight.

Over at The Castle, the Dark Lords continued their winning streak with a 9-3 home win versus the King William IV. Once again the scoreline flattered the winning side, but Gavin Rowlands and Wayne Hobson, who were unbeaten on the night, did the damage for the visitors. Matt Tobin played his part, singing and dancing his way to a number of victories.

Geoff Froud was unlucky to lose to Wayne Hobson, potting an excellent black only for the cue ball to hit two cushions and drop in to the pocket. Neil Tipples was again the King William's best player.

Elsewhere at Finnegan's, Millwood Pot Jacks raced into a commanding 5-0 lead. Finnegan's were able to pull back to within one frame, thanks to some excellent potting by Kane Grindley, before Nick Parry made it 6-4. An unfortunate push stroke in the last frame sealed the 7-5 win for the visitors.

Billy Utd remain unbeaten thanks to a 10-2 win against a spirited Borough Arms team. Singles wins for Gary and Ian Roberts, vice-captain Mark Ingram and Les Ashton gave the home side a 4-0 advantage. Ron Larkin then cleared up in the first doubles, before Andrew Wilson and the returning John Farrugia kept the home team in front. The Roberts brothers again won the second set of singles, before Paul Breen pulled off a great win against the inform Les Ashton. Rob Larkin was denied by a clinical finish from Mark Ingram to make the score 8-2. Farrugia/Wilson and Mullins/Ingram then mopped up the remaining doubles for a 10-2 victory.

The Wanderers welcomed the Witchill Wildcats to The Glenbrook Inn, where Karl Marsh beat Steve Wadkins to claim The Wanderers' only win of the opening singles matches, with poor finishing costing them a number of valuable points. The Wildcats' Paul Everest and Ceri Morris both grabbed fine wins, as they went on to grab a 9-3 win in what was a tough night for The Wanderers.

The league are still looking for players of all capabilities to sign up and play. Contact Anthony on 07568 444180 or text Joe on 07870 498738. Thanks again to our sponsors Asprou Barbers Park Crescent, Eze Drive Driving School and R&M Mobile Valeting.