Season 4!!!!!!

Hello and Welcome to the first Edition of Sports Scene for Season 4! I has been a while coming but now we are here, 14 teams, some new faces like True Pool Legends, Magic Pool and Ultimate outlaws although the latter were originally the Pool Dragonz team.

This season has a few new rules, on top of the fact that we had to make a new World Pool Championship ladder at www.myleague.com/wpc2. The main rule change is when you play the 6v6 matches the loser MUST report the match STRAIGHT after, no excuses. Failiure to do this will result in a 1 match ban, then second offence 3 matches and the 3rd offence boxed for the season. So dont do it!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Steven, Heather and Chris to the Admin team. I would also like to welcome all the teams for this coming season. It will kick off at 7pm this coming friday in the WPC EXPO. Straight Shots dominated this competition last season and this season it will be run differently. Each week a member of the hosting league, forexample the kick off tourney is in All Mixed Up, the home of Straight Shots will be hosted by Steven(steven.rules). Each week it will move around the league rooms, with usually the TD from that league hosting the tourney.

The schedule is a interesting schedule which was wonderfulyl thought up by Ogges. It is a 13 week seasona nd each team plays each team once. Across both the Premiership and the Championship. This means the matches within each teams Division will be vital. It should turn out to be a tight close competition. The top 4 from each group will progress.

Last season saw Pool Fiction win the Division and the WPC World Cup bo3 series finals. Lucky Shots finished runners up and Bev left Lucky Shots. Along with Bev Tam_s0 left for Pool Fiction in a big Lucky Shots blow. Pool Fiction have only got stronger, and you can tell Ogges has every chance of retaining the WPC title this season. Lets now look at each team in detail this season and I will start with the Premiership Division.

PREMIERSHIP

High Timez

Welcome back High Timez, WHAT a seasont hey had last season. Unbeaten the whole of the last season and they looked good heading into the playoffs. However before the playoffs they lost the most influential player in Mickey(IMHIGHER) and there Playoff chances were screwed, add to that they played a Dead Strokes team that was in cracking form on the night and bang they had lost 4-1 and was out, however they did go the regular season unbeaten but this seasont hey will struggle with no Robby or no Mickey, Chris will have to produce something specialt o make this work this season.

Last Season: Playoffs 1st Round

Ins/outs: None in, Robby out to TPL, Micky out nowhere as i far as i know.

Key men: Stonecold

Predicted: 5th

Latino Pool Legends

Season 2 winners find themselves away from Pool Fiction for the first time this season. Tino I think will take the cpatain over and will bring the same core of players that had a dissapointing season 3 at trying to defend there title but they will be right back on form this season i am sure and will probably fancy there chances at winning this title for the second time. If Player_dude and Poolz turn up then LPL can challenge. Tino will be looking for a solid finish in the playoffs this season.

Last Season: Playoffs 1st Round

Ins/Outs: None

Key Men: Player_dude and Poolz

Prediction: 3rd

Lucky Shots

Lucky Shots got to the World Cup Finals last season. This season though Lucky Shots will struggle but should still have enough to get intot he playoffs. Even with Perry and Tam leaving Luckyshots still have some very good players in Jeremy, Raymie and Chris. If Luckyshots are going to challenge True Pool Legends for the PRemiership Title then they will have to have there wits about them and make sure that I pick the right players at the right times. This will be a important first 4 or 5 games for Lucky Shots this season.

Last season: Runners Up

Ins/Outs: Tam_s0 moved to Pool Fiction, Perry left

Key Men: Chris(tonz) and Raymie(the.bawbag)

Prediction: 4th

True Champs

Now True Champs had a storming season last season and very nearly knocked LPL out of the playoff spots after taking on a absolutly shocking record, they showed never say die attitude and Rich who is a very very good captain showed he new how to capt and capt very well. They will struggle this season and will need to pick up some massive wins to have any chance of forcing themselves on the playoffs. Players like Itchy Balz and you cant beat the system are quality players. This True Champs team can not be taken lightly. They could be the under dog of the season.

Last Season: 5th in Regular Season

Ins/Outs: None yet

Key Men: Itchy Balz and u_cant_beat_the_system

Prediction: 6th

True Pool Legends

True Pool Legends have entered! With Adambuddy as the captain, he tells me that TPL will have a very strong team, with players like Adam, Dk and Trav they will look to dominate this season, and after staying out of last seasons champions Pool Fiction's way they look like they will win the Premiership Division. True Pool Legends are going through a rocky time in MLP, but in PLC they are doing great. True Pool Legends will have a very strong season this season.

Last Season: N/A (Debut Season)

Ins/Outs: AdamBuddy (from X8B), Crozzzy(from PCZ)

Key Men: Dk and Trav

Prediction: 1st

Ultimate Outlaws

Ultimate Outlaws are in this season to win one match. If this team gets a little bit of luck and the pool balls go the right way for them, then I can see them defeating a Cue Masters or maybe even a True Champs. One thing for sure this will be probably the most sportsmanlike team in WPC this season. They have players like sniper and Bud who will really need to step up to the plate this season. On the whole though UO will need to prepare for what will be a very poor season 4 in WPC.

Last Season: N/A (Debut Season)

Ins/Outs: No One

Key Men: Sniper and Bud

Prediction: 7th

Xtreme 8 Ball

This is for me a ticky one to predict. X8B had such a good season last season but joined and took PCZ's spot which was 2nd and to be fair to X8B they took 2nd by right in my opinion as throughout the season they pushed last season champions all the way in the race for the regular season title. Although X8B do not have any players signed up to the new ladder, I have no doubt in my mind they will be come Friday. This promises to be a good season for X8B and i am sure that they will be challenging the TPL powerhouse at the top of the leader board.

Last Season: 2nd in Regular Season (playoff first round)

Ins/Outs: AdamBuddy to TPL

Key Men: l2eal_0wnage

Prediction: 2nd

So that brings the Premiership to an end lets recap the positions I have predicted.

1st: TPL
2nd: X8B
3rd: LPL
4th: LS
5th: HT
6th: TC
7th: UO

So without further ado lets move onto the Championship Division where there are going to be some juicy comfortations witht he likes of Dead Strokes vs Straight Shots.

8 Ball Crushers

Ok this is a league that is going to surprise! With Captain Andrew he has picked up some fine players in the off season as 8BC look to show they can make a surprise run at the playoffs this season. Picking up Bryan (patsfan) from BNR who are not in this season is a great pick up and add him to the players 8BC already has in amusedlilpiper and Andrew himself then 8BC will do what they are doing in IPA and make a shock run at the playoffs. This is a team that wont nessecerily beat the likes of PFN, LPL and TPL but they could very well sneak a draw against one of these stronger teams and i see them just nicking a playoff place.

Last Season: joined late (finished last)

Ins/Outs: Bryan (patsfan) from BNR and mvp.cubs from LS

Key Men: Andrew, Bryan and amusedlilpiper

Prediction: 4th

Cue Masters

Welcome back to WPC Cue Masters! This season for CM will be a tough season with plenty of positives and negatives. Can Cue Masters go all the way through the season with 6 players showing every week? Only time will tell, however if they do then they have a shot at challenging CM, MP and SS for the final playoff place that I have predicted 8BC to finish in. They will need Craig (sic_pool), Lukas (enabled) and frosty mug to show each week for Cue Masters to have any chance. They are captained by lisa and you know that she will turn up with 6 every week. They didnt last in IPA because of the early start time but i feel that Cue Masters will not only last the season but will be around the scrap for the finals playoff spot in which the 4 league i place 4th - 7th will be challenging for.

Last Season: 3rd when pulling out mid season

Ins/Outs: None

Key Men: Enabled, sic_pool and frosty_mug

Prediction: 7th

Dead Strokes

Last Seasons Conference finalists, Dead Strokes have really beefed up for season 4 if UIC is anything to go by. Led by Roy (as far as im aware) DS have a genuine chance of challenging Pool Fiction and Sexy Poolers for that top spot. Again although having no players signed up I am sure there will be some by the time the season starts. If DS show with the likes of Ashton, Koty and Roy himself then they have a great chance to upset the applecart and barge there way into the top 3. This will be a very rewarding seasonf or the Dead Strokes team.

Last Season: 4th in Regular Season (Confence Finals runners up)

Ins/Out: Not sure yet lets see who signs up

Key Men: If they join, Koty and Ashton

Prediction: 3rd

Magic Pool

So back come Magic Pool and they have decided to stop showing up for MLP, however in IPA and UIC they are starting to pick up form and they have got to the playoffs in PLC, so its a bit of a mixed bag for the MP team. In WPC however they will face a struggle as season 1 champions they will have to improve immensly to challenge the improved power of the Straight Shots and 8 Ball Crushers teams. If they do they need the likes of Joe, Ian, Mike and Danny(evertonian) to all show up and all be counted. Who will captain? I dunno I know Jane isnt around at tthe moment because of a family berreivement so It will probably rest on Ian. Mike or Danny to take it on uptil Jane is back. This will be a struggle for MP this season though.

Last Season: Pulled Out

Ins/Out: None

Key Men: Ian and Mick

Prediction: 6th

Pool Fiction

The WPC WOrld Cup winners of season 3 are back to defend there title. This will always be a interesting season for Pool Fiction as anyone who won the WPC World Cup have always struggled to defend it. MP in season 2 finish rock Bottom, LPL only just made the playoffs so it will be interesting to see how ogges handles the pressure of trying to become the first captain to lead a team to a defence of this title. What have they done to help this? They got Tam_s0 from Lucky Shots to bolster there attack, a very good signing for Pool Fiction. They will have players like Cubby, Jamie and Andy to help them this season. They have a good captain in Ogges and will no doubt be at the top of the pile come the end of the season.

Last Season: WPC World Cup Winners

Ins/Outs: Tam_s0

Key Men: Tam_s0, Jamie and Andy

Prediction: 1st

Sexy Poolerz

Sexy Poolerz are back for a 3rd season. Well ok they pulled out of Season 1 but they made the playoff finals of season 3, losing to PFN on that occassion. They will have a similar run this season too after getting the lesser division, there only fight will come from last seasons champions PFN. Pete will no doubt bring a very strong team again this season in Pascal, Ste and Conners has signed up and looks to be a great signing for Sexy Poolerz. This season i am sure Sexy Poolerz will wanna nick number 1 off PFN, I dont see it happening but you never know. One thing for sure though They will give it there best shot.

Last Season: 3rd in Regular Season (Conference Finals Runners Up)

Ins/Outs: Conners in

Key Men: Pascal and Conners

Prediction: 2nd

Straight Shots

Well, well, well Straight Shots finished 4th last season and this season I expect a season just the same as last season. They will always be on the cusp of the playoffs but after reports that players like Mike and Charlie are signing up for them this could be there year. They are the reigning EXPO champions and will take a lot of beating for that title again this season. If Nigel brings players like Steven, Charlie, Mike and Dustint hen SS have a great chance this season. It hink they will just fall short of the playoffs this season, however I usually get proved wrong with Straight Shots. Either way its shaping up to be a fantastic season for them and all the teams.

Last Season: Playoffs First Round

Ins/Out: Craig Out and Charlie in

Key Men: Steven and Charlie(if he plays)

Prediction: 5th

So to recap for the Championship Division we have

1st: PFN
2nd: SP
3rd: DS
4th: 8BC
5th: SS
6th: MP
7th: CM

So theres the seasonal predictions lets move onto next weeks matches which again this seasonw ill be done the same as last season but with the division the team is from there too as we ahve numerous cross conference matches this season.

Match 1

Lucky Shots (Premiership) @ Sexy Poolerz (Championship)

Date and Time: Monday 5th May @ 6pm

Room: Bicycle Race

Ref: Ogges

So we start with a cross confernce match up between last seasons finalist Lucky Shots against the team that Pool Fiction knocked out in the playoffs to go on to win it in Sexy Poolerz and this will be a pretty interesting match up. Pete will look to bring a strong team with Ste, Conners and Pascal in to put a marker down to the likes of TPL and PFN. If Lucky Shots wants to win this then they will need to bring the likes of Simon, Raymie and Chris. But Sexy Poolerz are better and I think that this will shine through thoughout the match.

Score: SP take this 4-2

Match 2

High Timez (Premiership) @ Straight Shots (Championship)

Date and Time: Monday 5th May @ 7pm

Room: All Mixed Up

Ref: Heather

Match two sees last season Regular season's runners up who went undefeated High TImez take on a strong Straight Shots team who have some quality players. This will be very interesting. If SS show up playing like they do in MLP then High Timez dont have a chance. If Straight Shots show up and play garbage (which they can sometimes do) then they will be ran over by High Timez. HT need to get sorted Chris will not be captaining as he doesnt have enough time and I fully expect Stonecold to take oer the reins. Straight Shots should have enough to see this match through just merely on the quality players they have.

Score: SS take this comfortably 5-1

Match 3

Latino Pool Legends (Premiership) @ Pool Fiction (Championship)

Date and Time: Tuesday 6th May @ 6pm

Room: Bad Times

Ref: Lisa

The champions from season 3, Pool Fiction take ont he champions from season 2, Latino Pool Legends who beat PFN in the finals. What a match we have here for both team to kick there season's off. It is a bogey match for PFN who will no doubt have cubby and Roger down to play this one! It will be a good match where Tino will bring a team of Player Dude and Poolz and himself to play against the team that Ogges picks. If Pool Fiction take a bit of time to get going here then LPL will do the damage they had a bad season last season and I expect LPL to be right back up there this season. For Pool Fiction this season is huge as Ogges really wants 2 in a row.

Score: 4-2 PFN

Match 4

True Champs (Premiership) @ True Pool Legends (Premiership)

Date and Time: Tuesday 6th May @ 7pm

Room: Blurry

Ref: Rick

Welcome back TC and welcome to WPC TPL. Interesting match up this week though. True Champs performed so well last season to nearly take the last playoff place even though they took over a shit record. If they perform like that this season with Rich back now then TPL will need to be wary, however I dont expect Adam to take TC lightly and I fully expect DK, Trav and Pommy (if he plays WPC) to show and take a win for TPL. But if theres any complaceancy then TC will nick a draw with TPL.

Score: 4-2 TPL

Match 5

Magic Pool (Championship) @ Ultimate Outlaws (Premiership)

Date and Time: Wednesday 6th May @ 6pm

Room: Outlaws Revenge

Ref: Bev

Well this will be a very interesting match up. Magic Pool have the better players but what they dont have as much of, that Ultimate Outlaws have is excitement. They are so happy to be here this season and you know what this is my dark horse match of the week. A wierd match of the week I know but there can be a big upset here. What UO dont have in skill they make up for in enthusiasm. If rbl_outlaw can bring his best 6 to the table they could cause MP a upset and beat one of the former WPC champions. However MP have Mick and I know Ian and Dan are joining up so they will come prepared on Wednesday here. Bev wont take any shit i know for a fact but this will be a easy game to ref, unless MP are getting there ass kicked!

Score: 4-2 UO (shock of the week)

Match 6

Dead Strokes (Championship) @ Cue Masters (Championship)

Date and Time: Thursday 7th May @ 6pm

Room: Back Spin

Ref: Jason

This has the makings of either a blow out to Dead Strokes or a very tight match. Depends on if DS will ever get any players signed up and if they do who they get signed up. They currently have none signed up but again I am sure they will get the players they need signing up, signed up. Cue Masters have a few players signed up including Lukas (enabled), and craig (sic_pool). This could be a good game for CM to start with, a under prepared DS team that are only gonna get stronger. For this reason I see another shock result, not so much that CM are gonna outplay DS but I think DS are slightly under-prepared for the start of Season 4.

Score: 3-3

Match 7

Xtreme 8 Ball (Premiership @ 8 Ball Crushers (Championship)

Date and Time: Thursday 7th May @ 7pm

Room: Forward Somersault

Ref: Steven

The last match of the week and again it is a tough one to call. X8B are better but this is yahoo Pool and anything can happen. 8BC capt Mikey told me just the other day he had a few good players from leagues not in WPC. Bryan is a great start he is a classy sort of player that should propel 8BC up to the top 4 which now I feel that SS will be there main challengers. If X8B comes out with the players of last season except Dan because I feel he held the team back then they will have a great season and should beat 8BC but yet again I have this feeling that this week will be the week of the under dog.

Score 4-2 8BC :O

Thats my very long WPC week one post and look at each team done ty for reading have fun in week one. Welcome to the great guesser and Welcome back to Ogges for the predictions and updates of Sports Scene this season.