Ringmaster Garth has returned from his fact finding mission in the Eastern block. Hardly refreshed after stepping off the plane in the early hours of the morning he not only reclaimed his ringmaster crown but went on to secure his first win of the reconstituted comp. Bastard! Justin remains the points leader, but not by much. As you already know the Nick Power Cup commences next week. Ben, the current holder of the goose riding midget will bring the revered object itself next week to get your collective juices flowing. And finally, I'm sad to have to report that the HPDP slipped from its regular first place in the Trivia to a very disappointing second, however I'm sure it's only a glitch. Don't forget to check the pool ladder at www.hpdp.org.au.

Last night we saw the first 32 comp at the new HP. And I'm pleased to say that old warhorse Gozzo made his first appearance and took home the $100. Not bad for a bloke who hasn't picked up a stick for six months. A glance at www.hpdp.org.au will show Ross and our new recruit Jason equal first on the ladder. In response to Phil's email, week one of the Nick Power cup will be on Wednesday 3rd October and will be played over three consecutive Wednesdays. For those of you who don't know, the NPC involves scoring 10 points for each win, with a point for each of the winners balls sunk going to the loser of each game. At the end of week three, scores are tallied and the winners name engraved on the coveted Nick Power Cup. Prize money is as usual. First in first served.

Basically, it's a point per ball sunk. Therefore, if you win a game it's 8 points. A win is always 8 points regardless of how it was won e.g. premature eblackulation by your opponent still means 8 points for the win even if you sunk no balls. The winner of the comp on the night scores 40 points (32 player comp = 5 games won) or 32 points (16-player = 4 games won).

The loser of any game scores a point per ball sunk. A loser can only ever make 7 points max even if they sunk the black as it was obviously a foul if they lost the game.

Hope that clarifies the situation.

The cyberstats are back. After an absence due to a few world wars your favourite community web link is back on air. Just navigate to www.hpdp.org.au and click on Pool Comp Stats. We had a 16 player comp on Wednesday with no buy backs. This is great news. Let's make it 32 next week. And if you think greed is good its $100 for first and a case of Hahn Premium for second (tax free). I want to make a special call to arms to all you girls out there, a bit of chick stick wouldn't go astray (thanks Kat for your attendance).

Firstly, sorry for the waffly email but it all needs to be said.

Toccie - out of action for officially 4-6 weeks, unofficially 4-6 months based on the men's toilet renovation fiasco. The front pool bar is now intended to be the bottle shop. Under this arrangement, it appears unlikely that there will be an area allocated for pool tables anyway (unless they're planning on putting them in a portaloo caravan out the back as they tend to do during their renovations). With the inevitable construction delays plus the reconfiguration of the place, I'm suspecting the Toccie is going to be a non-starter for pool for the short or medium term.

HP - not opening till Dec. Unknown as to how many, if any, pool tables will be there. Obviously, the preferred long-term choice. Needs contact with new management to find out situation (ACTION ITEM)

Kauri - one pool table so only lends itself to a 16-player comp or will need about 5 hours for a 32-player comp so a Wed night may not be possible unless it's a real early start (or staggered start depending on ppl's availability). It has been suggested that we ask the mgmt if they'll get another table in... or indeed we do or at least subsidise a temporary additional pool table (how much does a pub pool table cost to rent?). Fairly large groundswell of support for the Kauri as a preferred venue. (ACTION ITEM)

AB - has the tables but doesn't have many of the other basic necessities for a pub in terms of customer service, etc. And besides, it was confirmed by Roeloff that they are definitely not interested in another pool comp. They currently hold a comp on Tuesday nights.

Roxbury - 3 tables on upper mezzanine level. Wed night they have a comedy night but this is in a function room on the mezzanine level. I confirmed with the pub that the pool tables are available for use on Wed nights. I didn't confirm whether we could reserve the tables for the comp, however, I'm sure if we had the numbers, they'd do a deal. Maybe we'll be able to reserve 2 of the 3 tables at least. (ACTION ITEM)

Doghouse (Casey's) - 2 tables, $2.50 schooners, 2 far and 2 much of a doghouse for many. The "been there, done that" attitude seems to prevail on this one.

North Annadale - ??? No idea. Dean might be able to add some detail about the pub and the church across the road... ooops ;) (ACTION ITEM)

PT's Deck (please ensure pronunication is correct) - yes, well this has been the most common suggestion. It involves either moving the Toccie's pool tables as well as most of the furniture across the road or simply hiring/making/stealing new tables. This will solve the Toccie's storage problems, will solve a major problem for us, but will, however, give my cleaning lady an apoplexy on Thurs mornings when she arrives... oh sorry, Thurs afternoon... or is it sometime next week.. maybe. The management of the Level 1 Club has decided against this option for reasons of public safety and IR issues concerning contract labour ;) (NON-ACTION ITEM)

Somewhere Else - the sponsor of this suggestion was informed that Somewhere Else went out of business many years ago when we stopped going there on Wed nights after the HP closed.

Anywhere Else - ???

NICK POWER CUP

Apart from finding a venue for the NPC, we may need to address other issues relating to who and how many play in the NPC this year.

Dean made a suggestion that we do a 16-player comp at the Kauri this Wed. That's a good suggestion in my book. However, the only problem is determining who plays in the NPC. We do have more than 16 players who still turn up regularly and would want to play in the NPC. So what criteria do we use to reduce the numbers? Did the person have to have been a mate of Nick or at least have known him? Or does simply being an HPDPer qualify someone?... err but does that mean all those on the mailing list for example cos there's heaps of them and many didn't know Nick or go to the HP.

Or maybe it doesn't matter cos general apathy will limit the number of people who turn up on Wed nite and everyone might get in... if we have enough for 16 even.

Suggestions have been made that the NPC could be run on, say, a Sunday arvo thus allowing enough time to run a 32-player comp. Any thoughts on that idea?

Anyway, let's get something sorted guys! Can you all please pass on this information to others who may not be on the mailing list... thanks.

At this stage, I think the general feeling is to meet at the Kauri tomorrow night.

Please find below a transcription of a letter I received last night from Simon at the Toxteth, as a result of which the 2006 Nick Power Cup is postponed indefinitely subject to confirmation of dates AND VENUE.

I would introduce it by stating that Simon was most apologetic and understanding of our position (namely that this is a completely unacceptable way to be treated). Simon himself was only informed on Monday as I understand things, and only becuase he pressed the issue with his "superiors".

I say this in an effort to have any dissatisfaction addressed to senior Toxteth management via the bar staff and management rather than to the people we see every day. The lack of notice appals me, but I (we) have seen such a thing first hand at the Harold.....

Note that this affects not only the pool comp, but pool playing at the Toxteth full stop for the period of renovations. As such over the next week I will be divesting myself of accrued toccie $ with whoever I see there. I will find somewhere else to go (at least in the short term), as I like to play pool with my beer....

Bring on the Harold Park....

So...... EVERYONE COME ON DOWN THIS WEEK!!!! It will be the last pool comp for at least a few weeks, and possibly one of the last held there.... The HP will not open in 4-6 weeks, but it must in 4-6 months.....

Regards,

Phil

=====
14th August 2006
Wednesday pool competition - postponement
Dear Phil,
This letter is with regret to inform you that as of Monday 21st August 2006 the Toxteth Hotel will be removing the pool tables for the purpose of Hotel improvements (renovations). It is unsure how long the renovations will take but we anticipate 4-6 weeks.
I hope that once the work is complete that you will continue to play your (my emphasis) Wednesday competition here at the hotel.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter and your patronage.

A number of pool comp announcements are due.

1) Where the bloody hell are you???

Those of you who HAVE been there will know that attendance has slipped badly. We have averaged 8 or more buybacks for over a month now, and last week I only ran a 16 person comp (twice as it turned out). Hopefully warmer weather and the approach of the 2006 Nick Power Cup will generate better attendance.

2) Nick Power Cup

Rank ~ Name ~ Points ~ Wins ~ 2nd

1 ~ BRIAN BUDD ~ 105 ~ 7 ~ -

2 ~ PT ~ 101.5 ~ 4 ~ 3

3 ~ PHIL ~ 80 ~ 3 ~ -

4 ~ COL ~ 74.5 ~ 2 ~ 3

5 ~ ROELOF ~ 64 ~ 1 ~ 2

6 ~ CHRIS ~ 45 ~ 1 ~ 2

7 ~ GEOFF ~ 44.5 ~ 1 ~ 2

8 ~ DANIEL T ~ 37.5 ~ - ~ 2

9 ~ DEAN ~ 37 ~ 1 ~ -

10 ~ JL ~ 33.5 ~ - ~ 1

Well done PT - surpassing the 100 point mark for the year - and almost equal to Brian. Well done JL - racing into the Top 10.

I look forward to seeing you all next week.