just realised I've written two blog posts with this word, I'm striving to get past this blooming looming phase (:

As I've been trying to tell everyone, this IS going to happen, and dispite some comments that 'nothing will change' I've known for some time that it will, the new ball plays differently. Here is  a link to a review by a top player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tzo-PmL8IjA#!

I think massive credit to the league committee, they adopted the 365 web format, and it has really done wonders for the league this season, Lincoln really is a good league to play in, the drama, camaraderie and sheer quality of play is the best I can remember for years, and when looking back, I believe virtually everyone who has played in it, in both divisions, is really looking forward to next season.  Thank goodness, we have really got through those years when we all seemed to be playing ( in Lincoln that is, I've been enthusiastic else where) for the sake of it, or just by habit.  

This year the battle for the Lincoln mens singles title looks really hot, hotter than I can remember for probably 15 yrs, There is so many good players. For some recent years when I have entered this competition, they might as well have handed me the trophy as I walked in the door, not so this year, we really have 'game on'

I do prefer this, it makes winning more worth  while ( If you can pull it off)

There has been a significant shift for the positive in recent years in Lincoln, players seem to play for the love, 7/8 yrs ago, the entry would have been small for this tournament because the  bulk of league players would not enter because they thought they could not win, so in their heads, 'no point' why bother. We really have moved on though in the last 4 yrs, everyone seems so much more bothered, and interested.  I love it.

I did want to put this on the Lincoln 365 website, but I could not see where to put it.

I don't want to be big headed or anything, but I seriously don't know how many times I have won the Lincoln mens singles title, I know that the league hold the records, please by the next AGM could they look into it and tell me.

I suspect that it is not as many as some people think, I definitely won 5 before 2000, but there was a period when it was not held. One thing IS a fact, I have not lost in one since I lost to Mark Donoghue in 1995-6. There was also  a period around 2000/2002 when Steve Brophy, then Mick Thornley won it.

I think I started winning it again in about 2006, and have won it ever since, but I really could be wrong.