December was another close month with most of the promotion and relegation issues in each league going right to the last fixture. In the top three leagues all the fixtures were fulfilled but once again the bottom three leagues failed to play out all their games with seven games in December failing to be played for various different reasons. This can make things awkward for drawing up the next month’s fixtures and is disappointing for those that want to play their games. One suggestion is to organise your fixtures earlier in the month and not leave it until the last few days. It may be the case that a tougher stance needs to be taken if fixtures are not fulfilled!

In League 1 Robbie Stanger won all his games to not only win League 1 but also move to the top of the Championship points table. Highlight of the month for Robbie was the six 180s he had in his 9-6 win over Stevie Linklater, the third month in a row he has beaten Stevie. Stevie and Brian Moar finished second and third respectively with Bruce Moar and Iain Wilkie dropping down to League 2.

Michael Bain won four out of four in League 2 to return to the top League and he was joined by Michael Muir Jnr. Michael won three of his games to gain promotion to League 1 for the first time. Michael Moodie maintained his position in League 2 with two wins and Ryan Tulloch and Ross Donaldson slip down to League 3 with Ryan beating Ross 9-8 in their respective match to finish fourth.

In League 3 Leigh Shearer returned to form to win all his games, losing only eight legs on the way, to head the table. Joining Leigh in League 2 for the first time is Michael Muir Snr who won three of his games. Derek Farmer, Craig Moar and Neil Tait all finished on five points with one win apiece. Who stayed up and who dropped down was decided on leg difference so it was Derek that stayed in League 3 with Craig and Neil slipping down to League 4.

Once again fixtures in League 4 weren’t fulfilled in December however Roy Griffiths and Henry Bateman wasted no time playing all their games and taking the top two positions. Roy won all his games although he was taken the distance by Neil Drever before eventually winning 9-8. Roy also had an excellent 9-0 victory over Gary Brown, the only whitewash of the month. Neil Drever did enough with his win over Gary to stay in League 4 but Robert Gatt and Gary Brown were both winless and drop down to League 5.

Stuart Paterson won all four games although Linda Harcus, Allan Brown and Hippy all made him work hard for his wins. Allan Brown and Sean Chalmers didn’t get their game played which led to some confusion for the League organiser over the circumstances of their failed match. Therefore, on the basis that Hippy played all his games and finished on six points with two wins he gained promotion to League 4 for the first time. Sean and Allan drop down to League 6 and are joined by Linda who lost all her games albeit narrowly in three of them.

League 6 was a bit of a non event in December with only two matches being played. Andrew Watson is promoted to League 5.

Robbie was the 180 specialist again with eight to take his total for the three month so far to sixteen. Stevie Linklater and Brian Moar both had four ton-plus checkouts in December but it was Bruce Moar who had the highest with a 160 in his 9-6 win over Iain Wilkie. Stevie still sits at the top of the checkout table though with twelve.
There were 28 x 180’s scored by; Robbie Stanger 8, Iain Wilkie 4, Brian Moar 3, Michael Bain 2, Henry Bateman 2, Stevie Linklater, Roy Griffiths, Ross Donaldson, Bruce Moar, Leigh Shearer, Michael Muir Jnr, Neil Drever, Craig Moar, and Ryan Tulloch. There were also 23 ton plus checkouts from Stevie Linklater 140, 129, 120, 114, Brian Moar 144,120, 120, 114, Bruce Moar 160, 141, 114, Michael Moodie 106, 104, Henry Bateman 156, Craig Moar 138, Michael Bain 125, Neil Tait 122, Iain Wilkie 118, Ross Donaldson 116, Colin Findlay 112, Linda Harcus 111, Neil Drever 105 and Robbie Stanger 102.