THADER FALL SHORT OF VICTORY IN MUST WIN MATCH

Needing to beat Santa Pola in this penultimate Preferente match of the season to qualify for next season's revamped league, Thader were forced to settle for a draw in this local derby fixture.

CD Thader ...........2

A scheme inviting locals to sample football in Rojales free of charge, saw a bumper crowd inside Moi Gomez stadium on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Santa Pola ...........2

At start of play, Thader sat some 5 points behind Santa Pola in 9th place, knowing that it was win or bust if the coveted 8th place was to be achieved. Both teams formed a guard of honour, as Thader's league winning youth team were presented to the crowd. When Rosquin looked set to pull the trigger on 8 mins, it seemed odds on that the hosts would take an early lead. Through on goal, with just the keeper to beat, he had to score, and surely would have, had he not been unfairly hauled down.

Unbelievably, the referee waved play on, as thoughts of 'here we go again', went through my mind. To rub salt into the wound, Santa Pola then proceeded to take the lead some 5 mins later. Sloppy defensive play, resulted in a cross from the left, finding an unmarked Andrei at the far post. He then proceeded to nonchalantly side foot home into an empty net from close range, as an uphill struggle got even harder.

Then, from the very next attack with 15 mins on the clock, a cross from the right found the same man, in the same place, with the same result.

If there was any consolation, it was that there was still loads of time to rectify the damage done, and it didn't take long before the men in blue and white stripes pulled a goal back. Berni picked up a loose ball inside the penalty area on 20 mins, spectacularly executing a neat chip over a sea of players into the back of the net. The next piece of injustice, in this fast and furious encounter, fell to Santa Pola. Once again, it was Andrei, in the thick of everything, who was involved. Through on goal, with just Thader keeper Chema to beat, he appeared to have his legs taken from him, but incredibly, yet again, nothing was given!

First Quino, then Pedro Juan, had fierce shots well saved by Santa Pola keeper Angel, who at full stretch kept his side in the driving seat. Thader captain Lloyd could only watch, when his 40th min long range free kick narrowly missed the target, then in first half stoppage time, only an offside flag denied Quino celebrating an equalising goal.

Costa Blanca Independent Pool League Cup

Costa Blanca Independent Pool League Cup win- ners The Dream Team (Principles) ran out convincing winners against Plate winners Full Monte Azul (Pines B).

The 2023 Doubles and Single Finals will take place on May 17, followed by the presentation for winners and runners-up, sponsored Guardian Security.

Different half, same story, as Thader applied relentless pressure on their opponent's goal, which at times led a charmed life. Within quick succession, Ruben had a goal bound effort well saved, before a netbuster long range shot by Fran required another brilliant save by Angel, who breathed a sigh of relief as the rebound was headed agonisingly wide of the target.

Thader's big no 9 then struck a beauty which rattled the underside of the bar, before bouncing to safety. A penalty was eventually award-

SAD FAREWELL FROM CARP-R-US FOR ‘MR FIXIT’

Monday 8th May we said goodbye to Terry `Mr Fixit¥ Screen, 79 who sadly passed away the previous week. Terry was a founder member of Carp-R-Us and other local fishing clubs and was well known to many outside of the clubs.

He was instrumental in establishing angling on the southern Costa Blanca including helping to create new venues that everyone could enjoy.

He had time for everyone and would often regale you with tales of his fishing exploits both back in England and here in Spain. He was a fount of knowledge and a dab hand at fixing all sorts of broken fishing tackle. He will be sorely missed not only by his family but by the whole of the fishing community ed on 73 mins, following a foul on Pascual, from which Lloyd converted in his normal confident manner. With time running out, a Pedro Juan header was well saved, then only what appeared to be a push on Thader sub Jony, prevented him heading into an open goal, as a goal kick and not a penalty was awarded.

It could have been worse deep in stoppage time, had Chema not pulled off a brave close range save, to deny the visitors recording what could only be described as daylight robbery.

For the final match of the season, Thader must travel to Villena on either 20 or 21 May. Check out CD Thader facebook page for details.

One of Spain's top female football stars Marta Peñalver has returned home after playing in Italy.

In Leader Exclusive interviews, former Spain International Marta talks to Andrew Atkinson, about her future and ambitions to play in England, along with her painting hobby away from football.

COMING SOON - ONLY IN THE LEADER NEWSPAPER.

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: Helsinki, 2.William, 3.745, 4.Black, green, blue, yellow and red.5.The 1950s (1958), 6.Cheese and Onion, 7.The blue whale, 8.Oldest to youngest:Kris, 67, Kourtney, 43, Kim, 42, Khloe, 38, Rob, 35, Kendall, 27, Kylie, 25, 9.Twice - in 2013 against Novak Djokovic and in 2016 against Milos Raonic, 10.France, 11.The Hunger Games, 12.No worries, 13. Reykjavík, 14.Netherlands, 15.2013, on the 8th April, 16.Indian Pale Ale.17. Leonardo da Vinci, 18.Mercury, 19. Windsor.Her full name is Elizabeth

Alexandra Mary Windsor, 20.David Jason, 21.Russia, 22.Coco Chanel, 23. Four - the mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonic valves, 24.Moordale High, 25.The Burrow, 26.Forrest Gump (1994), Catch Me IfYou Can (2002), The Terminal (2004), Bridge Of Spies (2015), 27.Fresh lime juice, vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec/cointreau/orange liqueur, 28.Mark Drakeford, 29.New York, in 1943, 30. Hazelnut, 31.Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (or queer), 32.Twitter, 33.1.6km, 34.The Dalai Lama.35.July

Results 11 May Week 8

DIVISION 1

Mind the Gap8-4Hub Hyenas

El Capitan6-6Tipsy Toad Toppers

CC´s Bees4-8CC´s Flyers

DIVISION 2

Leeson St Trotters7-5Milo´s

Freakie Taverners7-5Danny´s Bar

CK1 Lads7-5Fallen Angels

DIVISION 3

Angel Delights6-6Ck1 Ladybirds

Hub Hellraisers9-3Pint Depot Queens

Tipsy Toad Tiaras6-6Domino´s Desp’dos

League Tables

DIVISION 1 P Pts Legs

Mind The Gap81466

Hub Hyenas81055

El Capitan8847

Tipsy Toad Toppers8845

CC's Flyers8743

CC’s Bees8128

DIVISION 2

Leeson Street Trotters81359

Ck1 Lads81154

Milo´s8949

Freakie Taverners8641

Fallen Angels8544

Danny's Bar8441

DIVISION 3

Ck1 Ladybirds81566

Tipsy Toad Tiaras81154

Angel Delights7741

Domino's Desperados7641

Hub Hellraisers8540

Pint Depot Queens8233

180´S: Mark Ellis (8),Hub Hyenas x2, Edmundas Klimonis (6) El Capitan, Vycka Bobinas El Capitan, James Brown Mind The Gap

HIGHEST CHECK OUTS: Paul Moody Mind The Gap

155, T20-T19-D19, Matt Smith CC’s Flyers 90, T18D18

DIVISION 1

MIND THE GAP V HUB HYENAS

This match had it all, top draw scoring, finishing and half time yummy Cornish Pasties, fries and baked beans. Wow!!! 180's from James Brown and 2 from Mark Ellis (taking his season's total to 8) plus a league best finish of 155 from Paul Moody in his singles versus Jay Wilkinson, the Hub star sitting on a double in the opening singles.

And a total of 65 tons (or more) plus 59 scores of

80+, Gap edging the tons total 34 to 31. Hyenas got back into the game at 5-4, Gap just too strong in the remaining 3 singles, Brown guaranteeing the points.

Top outs from Carlos Escansiano T17,D12, Wilkinson, T17,S16,D8, Alan Havelock, T16,D16.

"Top Tonners" Sam Salt 9, Wilkinson 9, Brown 8, Ellis 8. An excellent table topping clash, POTMBrown - Ellis.

C.C.BEES V

C.C.FLYERS

Flyers took an early 1-2 lead, despite scores of 83,121,140 from Reg Christopher and 85,99,140 from Liam Lumb. Charles Pritchett and Matt Smith hitting the outer ring for Flyers.

The pairs went in the same direction for 2-4 at half time, B's Paul Christopher and Bruce Admiral getting the better of 3 ton Jesus Madrid and 140,121, Doug Adkins.

Pritchett made it 2-5, prior to Reg C. overcoming Adkins 140,100, with 2 fine finishes of 60 and 87. Smith gained the draw for Flyers in a belter with Lumb, Smith pulling out the stops in a 3 legger, with outs of 86, on Bull and 90, plus 4x100,140. Both players earning POTM. Suso Madrid got Flyers over the line and 2 points with a 0-2 victory over Admiral.

EL CAPITAN V TIPSY TOAD TOPPERS

Ed Klimonis banged in his 6th maxi of the season in the 1st triple and still ended up with Trotters Andy Rutter outing on D4.

The visitors added 2 more via Rutter and Paddy Winterbourne for an early 0-3 advantage. Rutter added 2 more doubles and 100,125,140, with Lee Maiden for 0-4. The remaining 1st half legs went to Caps for 2-4.

Rutter got the better of Andres Liamazares 1-2, the

Trotter hitting 3x140,100, for 2-5. Ed K pulled one back for Caps, opponent Maiden forcing a 3rd leg with a tasty 108 out. Toady, John Rodford got the visitors to 6 legs with 3x100,140, in 3 legs over a free scoring Vycka Bobinas 2x100,134,140,180.

Caps needed all 3 remaining singles for the draw and acheived the task via Arold K. Chris Logan 125,140 and Ben Kernahan 3x100,140. POTMLiamazares - Rodford.

DIVISION 2

LEESON ST. TROTTERS V MILOS

The hosts enjoyed a healthy half time lead courtesy of some impressive darts from Mark Farmer 100,135,140 and 2 doubles, Mike Fellows and Ken Skinner providing the other 2. Milos Javi de Gea and Rory Byrne regularly finding T20's.

Yvonne Rouffignac 140,100 narrowly beat Sam James 121,100 for 5-2, Cain Garcia 100,125, impressive over Ken S. 0-2. Farmer 2X140,100 guaranteed the draw over de Gea 2x95,140, leaving Barry Shingler to gain the 7th leg and points fo Trotters.

Angel Gallardo and Fabian Alcarez added 2 more Milo victories. POTM - Farmer - de Gea.

C.K 1 LADS V FALLEN ANGELS

A win and a draw from their last 2 matches will ensure a creditable 2nd spot for the Lads. This match was poised at 3 apiece prior to the singles, the Lads outscoring Angels but nevertheless all square, with 6 to play.

Angels went ahead in the 2nd half, Graham White nailing D16 for a 1-2 victory over Kevin Wood in a high scoring tussle. Les Adams 3x140 and Steve M. Dalton 3x100, reversed the trend for 5-4, James Mackay 2x100,126 and a very nice 89 out levelled the score at 5-5.

John Crabbe and Terry David secured the 11th and 12th legs for 2 points. POTM - Dalton -White.

FREAKIE TAVERNERS V DANNYS BAR

Doubles from Sharon Frain, Ernie Willis and Noel Kenny from Freakies, were equal to outs from Simon Todd,Steve Lumb and Bob Smith for 3 each at the break. Bryan Livsey 140,100.

POTM - Livsey 100,125 nudged Freakies ahead, followed by a 2-1 victory from Mitch Halliday 133 for 5-3. Simon Perryman put in a POTM performance against Willis in his 0-2 win.

Annette Dobson found D2 twice for at least a draw. Smith got Dannys to 6-5 with 2x140,D8 in the 3rd leg over Mario Garcia 2x100,140. Frain made it 2 points for Freakies in a high scoring encounter with Steve Lumb.

Division 3

TIPSY TOAD TIARAS V DOMINOS DESPERADOS

The Dom´s arrived short of a player but bringing some stalwarts along for the ride. POTM Paul Chick opened with a 140, 98 which rattled the Tiaras until captain Pat Schofield (100) responded, but Dominatrix Chris Oates (D2) got the first point for her team.

By Paul Durrant

Captain Steve Harding doubled it (92, D20) but Tiaras got the 3rd Courtesy of Pat (10-D5). LIsa Ivill (81, 127, D1) packed a punch and evened things up only to be overtaken again by Chick (D2), Tracey Simpson (80,D4) obliging for the hosts for 3-3.

Thereafter it went tit for tat, Steve (125, D3), Simone de Lacy (115, 1-D4), Chick (95, D8), Schofield (D2), Dennis Rhodes (D2) and finally Sharon Crane (D3). A close match and a great night.

ANGELS DELIGHTS V C.K.1 LADYBIRDS

Birds lost their 100% record to a 12th leg match saver from a Steph Knowles D10, points shared. She didn't however take the POTM award that went to Sharon Williams who consistently found T20 and nailed 3 winning legs.

Kirsty Green matched Williams' game shots with 3 of her own, the 3rd ensuring a draw, for Birds POTM. Top score for Birds, Gina Woods with 133 and for Angels, a Williams 121.

Hub Hellraisers V Pint Depot Queens

Queens failed to repeat last weeks' winning ways, but still managed good winning performances from Lorraine Cox, Maggie Morgan and POTM Debbie Wright.

Sue Spiers did much of the damage for Raisers, nailing 3 outs, but it was Lesley Dolling who claimed the match winning double and 2 points for Raisers.

Rachel Lee added 2 more outers, Skipper Cheryl McGlynn plenty of trebles and her teams 8th leg. After the match, Raisers said a fond farewell to Fred their weekly chalker. POTM - Spiers.