WEEK 17 - Tuesday, 08/06/10, Pick out.

And so it was the return stoush with Unfinished Biz in their backyard, who were 1 point ahead of us in 3rd spot. A win to them would give them a chance at 2nd spot. A win to us would see them drop, temporarily at least, to 4th.

They were a well credentialed team of course, so they gave us 57.7 at the top and 7.5 at the bottom. Our strategy was simple. Snooker, play smart, sink balls and take the opportunities that came. The rest should take care of itself.

The first round saw Diddy & CB pick up wins to get the Cobras going and the margin was 54 going into the 2nd.

But the 2nd was disastrous with a full round of losses, Diddy's 10-0 thrashing the worst of a bad bunch and the margin more than halved to 22.

Hooters lost 10-0 in the 3rd and Diddy choked on a simple black shot, but CB and Pup steadied the ship to retain a slender 13 point margin going into the 4th.

Diddy choked on the black for the 2nd game in a row and Dux was unlucky not to finish when on the black as well. But 2 black ball losses and wins to CB, Pup and Hooters made the 4th the best round of the night for the Cobras, giving them a crucual 24 point buffer going into the final round with 7.5 still in reserve at the bottom.

Pup put the Biz to the sword with a first game win and when Dux lost on the black, the Cobras were home and hosed with 2 games to spare.

Unfinished Biz 208 - Eastern Creek Cobras 221.

The Cobras improve to 5 from 8 wins away, to go with their 8 wins from 9 starts at the Snakepit, giving them a a 76.47% win/loss record (13 wins and 4 losses).












COBRA SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Hooters: (-16) -146.
5. Dux (-26) -24.
4. Pup: () -21.
3. Diddy: (-18) +53.
2. CB: (+4) +74.
1. Pick: (DNP) +218.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 19.
3. Diddy: (+10 minus +19) -9
3. Dux: (+10 minus +19) -9
3. CB: (+10 minus +19) -9
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus +19) -11.5
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +19) -26.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only

5. Dux: (-26 minus -9) -17.
4. Diddy: (-18 minus -9) -9.
3. Hooters: (-16 minus -26.5) +10.5.
2. CB: (+4 minus -9) +13.
1. Pup: (+4 minus -11.5) +15.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Hooters: (27/53) 33.75%.
5. Dux: (13/17) 43.33%
4. Pup: (36/39) 48.00%.
3. CB: (34/26) 56.67%.
2. Diddy: (44/31) 58.67%.
1. Pick: (49/16) 75.38%.

Cobras Draw – Las Vegas 1
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/las-vegas-1-roster-draw.html

Cobra Stats Explained
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/03/cobra-stats.html

Cobra House Rules











COBRA SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Hooters: (-20) -130.
5. Pup: (0) -21.
4. Dux (-18) +2.
3. CB: (+13) +70.
2. Diddy: (-12) +71.
1. Pick: (DNP) +218.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 13.
3. Diddy: (+10 minus +13) -3
3. Dux: (+10 minus +13) -3
3. CB: (+10 minus +13) -3
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus +13) -5.5
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +13) -20.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only

5. Dux: (-18 minus -3) -15.
4. Diddy: (-12 minus -3) -9.
3. Hooters: (-20 minus -20.5) +0.5.
2. Pup: (0 minus -5.5) +5.5.
1. CB: (+13 minus -3) +16.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Hooters: (26/49) 34.67%.
5. Pup: (33/37) 47.14%.
4. CB: (34/26) 56.67%.
3. Dux: (13/12) 52.00%
2. Diddy: (43/27) 61.43%.
1. Pick: (49/16) 75.38%.

Cobras Draw – Las Vegas 1
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/las-vegas-1-roster-draw.html

Cobra Stats Explained
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/03/cobra-stats.html

Cobra House Rules
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/cobra-house-rules.html

WEEK 15 - Tuesday, 25/05/10, Pick out.

While Pick winged his way to Las Vegas with the winning Vineyard Vultures team, the Cobras found themselves trekking to Mulgoa Road Penrith for our first visit as a team to the Grey Gums.

I took my new toy, the Yamaharley (XVS 650 Classic) for a run down the M4 with my cues over my shoulders and the team folder under my jacket.

When you factored in their -10 female, the Grey Gums had a team score of 2.5, meaning the Cobras gave them 25 at the top and another 2.5 at the bottom.

This week our aim was a little more modest. We just wanted to win, sans Pick. In fact that remained our aim for the 3 games Pick would miss. If we could win all 3, by any margin, we'd be delighted!

The first round didn't go exactly to plan, with only CB and Pup picking up wins. Hooters and Diddy both lost on the black, which limited the damage, but we were still 27 behind as we went into the 2nd round.

In the 2nd Hooters lost on the black while Dux, CB, Diddy and Pup all won their games, bringing the margin back to -18 going into the 3rd round.

In the 3rd, the Cobras put their foot down, winning all 5 games with Hooter's 10-3 the pick of the round and the Cobras were 15 in front going into the 4th.

Diddy lost on the black to start off the round but Hooters, Dux and CB all won their games to carry a 20 point margin into the 5th and deciding round.

Pup, Hooters and Dux all lost their games which reduced the margin to just 3.5, but CB won his game to add 5 to the margin and Diddy finally won his, capping off a solid night for the Cobras.

Hooters managed a positive for & against despite only winning 2 games, and Pup, Dux & Diddy all provided solid support (with 3 wins a piece) to CB who slotted into Pick's spot and seemed right at home, with 5 wins and a +22 margin on the night. Well done CB!!

Grey Gums 210 - Eastern Creek Cobras 222.5.

And so the Cobras improve their away record to over 50% (now 4 wins from 7 away, to compliment their 8 wins from 8 starts at home), taking the Cobras to 80.00% win/loss record (12 wins and 3 losses).












COBRA SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Hooters: (+2) -110.
5. Pup: (+4) -21.
4. Dux (+5) +20.
3. CB: (+22) +57.
2. Diddy: (+7) +83.
1. Pick: (DNP) +218.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 0.5.
3. Diddy: (+10 minus 0.5) +9.5
3. Dux: (+10 minus 0.5) +9.5
3. CB: (+10 minus 0.5) +9.5
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus 0.5) +7
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus 0.5) -8

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only

5. Dux: (+5 minus +9.5) -4.5.
4. Pup: (+4 minus +7) -3.
3. Diddy: (+7 minus +9.5) -2.5.
2. Hooters: (+2 minus -8) +10.
1. CB: (+22 minus +9.5) +12.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Hooters: (26/44) 37.14%.
5. Pup: (31/34) 47.69%.
4. CB: (31/24) 56.36%.
3. Dux: (12/8) 60.00%
2. Diddy: (42/23) 64.62%.
1. Pick: (49/16) 75.38%.

Cobras Draw – Las Vegas 1
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/las-vegas-1-roster-draw.html

Cobra Stats Explained
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/03/cobra-stats.html

Cobra House Rules
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/cobra-house-rules.html

WEEK 14 - Tuesday, 18/05/10, CB out.

Home again at the Snakepit, this time in the return stoush for the Hustlers who remained firmly planted to last place in our zone with no wins so far.

Diddy spoke to CB during the week to advise him he was rostered out this week, although he had initially thought to leave Hooters out, given she's played the most games of any of the roster. But Pick wanted to go for max points which meant bringing Hooters in for the game.

The Hustlers had a team score of zip, meaning the Cobras gave them 47.5 point start. If we wanted max points, we would need to score over 97 points more than the Hustlers on the night, a big ask for any team.

The first round didn't go exactly to plan, but it was a good start. Diddy was the pick of the round with a 10-3, Pup and Pick also picked up wins and both Dux and Hooters lost on the black and we were 38 behind.

In the 2nd Hooters, Dux and Pick all won their games with Pick's 10-3 the best for the round, but losses to Pup and Diddy meant the Cobras were still 32 in arrears and the focus switched to just winning, rather than the max points the Cobras had been focussed on achieving earlier.

In the 3rd, the momentum finally swung towards the Cobras, who won all 5 games with Pup's 10-3 the pick of the round and they were only 7 behind going into the 4th.

The 4th looked just like the 3rd with the Cobras again winning 5 games and Diddy 10-3 the highlight, with the Cobras taking a lead of 17 points into the final round.

The chance to win by max points seemed remote, particularly when Hooters lost on the black in her final match, but Pup saved his best to last, putting on a promised 10-0 display and when Dux and Pick both won their games comfortably, quick calculations meant that Diddy only needed to scratch out a 10-4 win for max points to be achieved.

Alas it was not to be. Diddy did not play to his potential and scraped home 10-7, leaving the Cobras just 3 points shy of the elusive max points target.

Eastern Creek Cobras 237.5 - Carousel Inn Hustlers 190.5.

And so the Cobras retained their unbeaten record at the Snakepit (now 7 from 7 at home), taking us to 78.57% win/loss record (11 and 3).












COBRA SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Hooters: (+4) -112.
5. Pup: (+21) -25.
4. Dux (+14) +15.
3. CB: (0) +35.
2. Diddy: (+18) +76.
1. Pick: (+30) +218.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 0.
5. Pick: (+20 minus 0) +20
4. Diddy: (+10 minus 0) +10
3. Dux: (+10 minus 0) +10
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus 0) +7.5
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus 0) -7.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Dux: (+14 minus +10) +4.
4. Diddy: (+18 minus +10) +8.
3. Pick: (+30 minus +20) +10.
2. Hooters: (+4 minus -7.5) +11.5.
1. Pup: (+21 minus +7.5) +13.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Hooters: (24/41) 36.92%.
5. Pup: (28/32) 46.67%.
4. CB: (26/24) 52.00%.
3. Dux: (9/6) 60.00%
2. Diddy: (39/21) 65.00%.
1. Pick: (49/16) 75.38%.

Cobras Draw – Las Vegas 1
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/las-vegas-1-roster-draw.html

Cobra Stats Explained
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/03/cobra-stats.html

Cobra House Rules
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/cobra-house-rules.html

WEEK 13 - Tuesday, 11/05/10, Pup out.

Last week the Number 1 team in the zone. This week, Number 2.

The Lucky Commandos came to play at the Snakepit and with the Cobras still hanging on to 3rd spot, it was on from the first bell.

During the week the powers that be had reviewed things and made some rather puzzling decisions.

The Lucky Breaks, who so far have not lost a game were left untouched.

The Lucky Commandos, who are in 2nd place, lost 2.5 off their collective handicap, courtesy of Moose dropping from 17.5 to 15.

The Eastern Creek Cobras, who sit precariously in 3rd spot, gained 2.5 onto their collective handicap, courtesy of Diddy going from 7.5 to 10.

I'm sure that makes a lot of sense to someone. Somewhere. Somehow.

In addition Pick and Diddy discussed the opportunity we had with Dux to get him in capable of playing for us during the playoffs. This was particularly important if Diddy ended up being overseas for one of the first weekends in July, which while remote, remained a possibility as a family wedding was scheduled for that time in Fiji.

Pup was flying to Brisbane with work in the morning, so volunteered to take the first roster shift off once he established Dux was right to play.

With all of these moves and changes, the Commandos gave the Cobras a measly 15 point start at the top, with the Cobras retaining the 7.5 down the bottom thanks to Hooters.

The first round was a ripper for the fired up Cobras side.

The Cobras won every game, with a 10-2 to Pick the highlight and the margin was out to 40.

In the 2nd Dux and Pick won their games, but bad losses to the rest meant the margin was back to 25 going into the 3rd.

The 3rd was almost a net even round with Diddy and CB winning their games and Dux losing on the black and the margin was 22.

Pick and CB won their 4th round games with Dux again narrowly losing on the black, meaning that the Cobras took a mere 14 points into the final round.

Hooters book ended her night with a win in the last and Diddy picked up another with Pick losing on the black and together with Hooters 7.5 at the bottom, it was enough to ensure the Cobras won the encounter by a comfortable 15.5 points.

Eastern Creek Cobras 212.5 - Lucky Commandos 197.

And so the Cobras retained their unbeaten record at the Snakepit (now 6 from 6 at home), taking us to 76.92% win/loss record (10 and 3).












COBRA SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Hooters: (-11) -116.
5. Pup: (-36) -46.
4. Dux (-3) +1.
3. CB: (0) +35.
2. Diddy: (0) +58.
1. Pick: (+7) +188.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = +13.
5. Pick: (+20 minus +13) +7
2. CB: (+10 minus +13) -3
2. Diddy: (+10 minus +13) -3
2. Dux: (+10 minus +13) -3
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +13) -20.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
4. Dux: (-3 minus -3) 0.
4. Pick: (+7 minus +7) 0.
2. CB: (0 minus -3) +3.
2. Diddy: (0 minus -3) +3.
1. Hooters: (-11 minus -20.5) +9.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Hooters: (21/39) 35.00%.
5. Pup: (24/31) 43.64%.
4. Dux: (5/5) 50.00%
3. CB: (26/24) 52.00%.
2. Diddy: (35/20) 63.64%.
1. Pick: (44/16) 73.33%.

Cobras Draw – Las Vegas 1
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/las-vegas-1-roster-draw.html

Cobra Stats Explained
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/03/cobra-stats.html

Cobra House Rules
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/cobra-house-rules.html

WEEK 12 - Tuesday, 04/05/10

And so we found ourselves at the Lucky facing off with the Number 1 team in the zone.

The new tables at the Lucky seemed different but ok. It was the white ball that seemed to be the problem. And any problem for anyone was a bigger problem for us than for them, given the difference in skill levels.

In any case the Number 1 side gave the Cobras a 62.5 point start at the top, with the Cobras retaining the 7.5 down the bottom thanks to Hooters.

In the first round they set the tone for the match. No point talking about bad luck or missed opportunities. Suffice to say that we all lost between 5 and 0 and the margin was cut to 31.

In the 2nd Pick won his game and CB narrowly lost his, but convincing wins in the other 3 games meant the margin was only 5 after 2 rounds.

The 3rd was more one way traffic, with CB's black ball loss the best for the Cobras and the Breaks ended the 3rd round 21 points in front.

Diddy won his 4th round game and Pick narrowly lost on the black, but this still left the Cobras trailing by 36 as they headed into the 5th and final round.

The Breaks kept the foot on the throat as they surged for that critical 50 point win and got there with straight wins in the 5th, with 53 the final margin.

And so the Cobras suffered our 3rd loss as a team, taking us to 75% win/loss record with the 2nd placed Commandos still to come at home next week.

Lucky Breaks 241 - Eastern Creek Cobras 188.












COBRA SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
5. Hooters: (-29) -105.
4. Pup: (-36) -46.
3. CB: (-21) +35.
2. Diddy: (-21) +58.
1. Pick: (-16) +181.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = +21.5.
5. Pick: (+20 minus +21.5) -1.5
4. CB: (+10 minus +21.5) -11.5
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +21.5) -14
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus +21.5) -14
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +21.5) -29

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Pup: (-36 minus -14) -22.
4. Pick: (-16 minus -1.5) -14.5
3. CB: (-21 minus -11.5) -10.5
2. Diddy: (-21 minus -14) -7
1. Hooters: (-29 minus -29) 0.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
5. Hooters: (19/36) 34.55%.
4. Pup: (24/31) 43.64%.
3. CB: (23/22) 51.11%.
2. Diddy: (32/18) 64.00%.
1. Pick: (41/14) 74.55%.

Cobras Draw – Las Vegas 1
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/las-vegas-1-roster-draw.html

Cobra Stats Explained
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/03/cobra-stats.html

Cobra House Rules
http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/2010/02/cobra-house-rules.html

WEEK 11 - Tuesday, 27/04/10

Fired up after our poor performance on the crappy tables last week, the Cobras were all in early - yes even CB - and in uniform - yes even CB - ready to wreak havoc on this week's opposition, the Grey Guns.

"Fire up Cobras" called Pick as he arrived, the Lucassi with all its various attachments bristling skyward like a farmer with a shotgun waiting for crows.

"Fire up Cobras" muttered Pup in reply as the Mezz potted balls with the speed and rhythm of a sewing machine.

"Fire up Cobras" whispered Hooters as she stroked ball after ball lovingly into the inviting holes that awaited them with her Stuart special.

"Fire up Cobras" said CB, flicking his thongs disdainfully towards the door and playing his pub cue through the balls as if he was dancing to an unseen samba rhythm.

"Fire up Cobras" intoned Diddy with a glassy stare, whipping his Meucci black dot back and forth through the clustered pack with wild abandon.

Time passed slowly as the fever built.

By the time 7.30pm arrived, the Cobras had fired themselves to white hot and were hissing with adrenalin.

But no opposition.

By 7.45pm the Cobras were spitting venom all over the tables, their cues and each other.

Still no opposition.

Diddy called Jase to establish if we had heard from them, as 8pm was officially the deadline for a forfeit.

Jase was able to raise the captain, who had mutinied and departed his own ship. He was no longer playing and didn't seem to care if the team was in or out.

Nor, to be frank, did the Cobras.

They hissed in frustration and spat their team fee into an envelope, taking a forfeit and max points for the round.

Next week they face the Lucky Commando's who hold 2nd spot. The week after they face the Lucky Breaks who lead the zone.

The rest might do them good...