Pool - Cheshire C top seeds in national competition (From Messenger Newspapers)

Pool - Cheshire C top seeds in national competition

2:59pm Monday 4th March 2013 in Sport

CHESHIRE C have been installed as top seeds for this weekend's English Blackball National Championship finals in Selsey, Sussex.

The team, packed full of Sale & Altrincham Pool League players and based at Rileys in Altrincham, topped their Central North group to qualify for the championships. An away defeat against Derbyshire being the only blot on an otherwise perfect qualification campaign.

Cheshire C captain Jason King said: "Seedings mean nothing if we don't go down their and produce the goods. We've got the players, and some may never have this good an opportunity to win a national title.

Dave Walker finished with the most wins in the country to top the individual standings. King also sneaked into the top 10 nationally with Mark Beeson 11th overall. In total seven Cheshire C players boasted win percentages above 60 following the qualification campaign.

"For Pubby (Walker) to win more games than any other player in the competition is some achievement."

"We've quality packed through the side," said King. "It will be different gravy in Selsey though. I've seen players crumble under pressure - and it will be high pressure down there. There's also the small matter of playing for a £20,000 prize fund, but we won't be thinking about that."

Bristol are seeded second behind the Optional Extras-sponsored side, with Warwickshire, Middlesex and fierce rivals Derbyshire completing the top five.

King said: "There will be no easy games. We're confident of progressing through the group stage and after that it's about holding your nerve.

"Derbyshire could be the main threat. We're one apiece against them and they're a strong team. It's just about taking it one match at a time."