The second weekend of British League Premier division matches, played in Blackpool over the weekend of 19/20 November 2005 saw the seven times Champions London Progress I totally dominate the action. After this showing only a distinctly brave or plain silly person would bet against them taking the title for a record-breaking eighth successive time. In the Saturday morning fixture, second-placed Darlington fielded a young side and it was the youngest player of all who notched up their sole success as Gavin Evans saw off Darren Blake 3-1. However, Darren won't have been too concerned as his team-mates Terry Young, Jason Sugrue and Marco Essomba took the remaining seven games. Bradley Evans was also on good form and his "emergence" continued as he pushed Terry Young all the way before succumbing 11-9 in the fifth end.
In round six third-placed Ormesby (who by their high standards had a disappointing weekend) came closest to taking a point off London Progress. Even without their top player - Paul Drinkhall, the Ormesby players really had the bit between their teeth in the first three games as they surged into a shock 3-0 lead. All three successes were "out of the top draw" as well as Craig Bryant beat Jason Sugrue 3-1, Bryn Drinkhall scored a superb 3-1 victory over Terry Young and Danny Reed added a 3-1 win over Darren Blake. You might have thought that Progress were in trouble but they weren't having any of it. Marco Essomba opened their account with a 3-0 win over Steve Bailey and Terry Young brought them right back into the match with a 3-0 success against Craig Bryant. From then onwards it was Progress who were calling the shots and Jason Sugrue came through in four ends against Danny Reed whilst an impressive Marco Essomba saw off Bryn Drinkhall 3-1. The advantage was now firmly in the Progress court (or perhaps more accurately with the Darren Blake service) and Darren secured their victory with a 3-0 victory over Steve Bailey.
Essomba was again on good form in round seven as Progress beat Harvey Barnets I 6-2. Marco beat both Niall Cameron at 11-9 in the fifth end, and Lorestas Trumpauskas (3-1) whilst team-mates Terry Young and Jason Sugrue also bagged a couple of wins. Terry had to work hard to get the better of Lorestas 3-2 whilst he enjoyed a contrasting straight-forward 3-0 success over Adam Bleakley. Jason who like Marco has been ever-present in Progress's seven title winning sides also downed Bleakley 3-1 and he followed this up with an excellent 3-0 victory over the powerful Mark Smith. Progress were on a roll and, in such form, there was little surprise that they were able to complete their weekend with a workmanlike 8-0 victory over bottom-side Horsham I.
London Progress apart, it was a young and talented Darlington team who impressed the most. Darlington put their defeat to Progress firmly behind them in round six by getting the better of BATTS Team Peniel 5-3. Gavin Evans was on razor-sharp form as he beat both Neil Charles (3-0) and Clive Carthy (3-2) whilst brother Bradley also saw off Clive 3-0. Team-mate Michael Marsden contributed with a 3-1 victory over Charles and David Meads added a 3-1 success against Michael James to complete a very impressive Darlington display. The ever reliable John Holland was their only stumbling block as he beat both Marsden and Meads 3-1. The same Darlington team were equally impressive in round seven as they beat Ellenborough 6-2. It took a player of Gareth Herbert's stature to pick up the London Club's two wins. Darlington added Andrew Leighton to their ranks in round eight as they hammered ELGRE Nottingham 8-0. Michael Marsden didn't put a foot wrong as he blasted his way to 3-0 wins over both George Pittas and Lee Neil whilst the improving Leighton also impressed as he beat Lee Neil (3-0) and Mark Green (3-2).
