Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
The Bulawayo Provincial Pool Association (BPPA) league returned for the second-half of the season this past weekend after the closure of the transfer window and completion of two major tournaments.
The league returned after the completion of a busy transfer market which saw a lot of players move to different clubs.
The closure of the transfer window was followed by the NEPAZ and MAYEZ tournaments which happened last week.
Kings shot to the top of the table after their win over Nkulumane Pool Club. Kings beat Nkulumane 9-5 to go one point clear on the log.
A top of the table clash between Queens Pool Academy and Entumbane was the match of the weekend.
Queens emerged victorious against their fellow title contenders, beating them 8-6. Entumbane remains on top of Queens due to their superior score difference.
Second from the bottom Ace Basement produced an upset after they beat fifth placed Southwold Originals 9-5 at home.
Golden Lion’s season continued to worsen with every passing game after they lost their 14th game of the season out of 17 played. The bottom-placed team lost 10-4 against Skittle Inn.
Lobengula Sharks beat Dragons 11-3, ZIMRA and Southwold Chikavangwena shared the spoils after a 7-7 draw. ZPC beat Exchange 9-5 and Black Eagles also beat Raylton 8-5.
Kings are on top of the league standings with 43 points after 18 matches, followed by Entumbane on 41 with a game in hand over them, Queens and Lobengula in third and fourth place, respectively, have 41 points as well. The three teams on 41 are separated by shot differences.
Southwold Originals in position five have 34 points, Nkulumane on number six have 31 points and ZIMRA on seven have 25 points after game week 18. Skittle Inn is in position eight with 23 points followed by Exchange on 22 and Black Eagles on 19.
ZPC is sitting in position 11 with 18 points.
The bottom five of the league standings has Dragons on position 12 with 17 points followed by Southwold Chikavangwena also on 17 and then Raylton on 13.
The bottom two have Ace Basement and Golden Lion who only have nine and seven points, respectively.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport, BPPA Secretary General Nomore Muzvidiwa said they are looking forward to a competitive end of the season which will be proof of the competition that is there in their league and urged a professional environment during the games.
“If the first-half is anything to go by, I foresee a four-horse race for the top provincial accolade, these four teams are separated by two points, so you can see the level of competition in our league,” Muzvidiwa said.
Muzvidiwa added: “All in all it’s going to be a packed second half with some exciting display of the cue sport, and as an association we urge all games to be played in a friendly environment and we discourage all forms of un-sportsman behaviour.”
The Secretary-General also called on the youngsters to desist from using drugs.
“May I add my voice to the No to Drugs call for our youngsters,” he said.
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