Pool: Owley Wood out to topple champs

3:00pm Tuesday 1st April 2008

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THE destination of the Northwich and District Pool League title will be decided tomorrow night, Wednesday.

Rudheath, champions for the past six seasons, travel to challengers Owley Wood A knowing they need a win to defend their crown as the town's number one team.

Their recent Team Knockout defeat against the Weaverham club means they are also out for revenge.

"The winner takes all," said Rudheath's Fred Backhouse.

"We've always had a battle with Owley Wood towards the end of the season and this year has been no different - we seem to run each other close every time."

There are signs that the balance of power is shifting following Owley Wood A's 4-1 win in the Team Knockout last week - a competition won by Rudheath in six of the past seven editions.

The champions were 4-3 victors in the league encounter back in November.

"Rudheath are like the Manchester United of the Northwich pool league," said Owley Wood's Steve Moores.

"They've been there and done it before and know what it takes to win the big matches."

But Moores told the Guardian he believes this year could be different, particularly with the confidence boost of beating their rivals in the cup.

"This year we have the belief we can turn it around," he added.

"To be fair we've probably been a couple of players short in the past few seasons and not having the strength in depth has cost us a shot at the title."

It's a view shared by Backhouse.

"Owley Wood have got a lot better," he said.

"They are closer to us than they ever have been."

There is only one match to play after tonight, with Owley Wood A due at last year's Division Two champions Bowling Green A and Rudheath hosting fourth place Gladstone Club.