2006-07: Week 1

Last seasons Premier Champions Belmont A got off to a rocky start when they visited Belvedere Park A. Ryan Gilmore played some superb long pots to take his frames for Belvedere. Alan Davies and Owen Jones then added all their frames to the tally. Only Belmont’s new signing Kev Shaw put in a steady performance and defeated Craig Keen.

Runners up Burton Cons A showed that they will be a major force this season. At the half way stage Mick Simpkins and Stuart Roberts had given them a 4 – 0 lead against Swad Snk Ctr A, who themselves are looking for a winning season. Mark Sherratt made sure of winning his match against Jonathan Fletcher then Mat Milnes secured victory for the Cons as he shared his match against Darren Noble.

Ivanhoe A has also had a good start by showing that they are going to be hard to beat at home. Only Willington A’s Gary Barker saved any embarrassment.

Division 1 will be hard fought this year with five teams looking in form already. Newly promoted Woodville WMC A is going to be hard to stop. Skipper Mark Satchwell and Simon Smith displayed all the attributes of their game. Graham Bailey was unstoppable in the first frame as he rattled in a break of 31, but he had to dig deep to win the second against Simon Orpwood. Martin Smith then came up against a determined Drakelow captain in Tony Coleman and had to settle for a draw.

Belmont B also put in an excellent performance at home to Ivanhoe C. Only Pete Birkin dropped a frame as Jason Collins doubled the final black the full length of the table.

Tutbury A fancy their chances of returning to the Premier Division. They visited John Carr A who struggled with early season nerves but I’m sure they’ll bounce back next week and show some of last seasons form.

Swad Snk Ctr C showed their D team no mercy and put in a solid performance. Although Steve Ayre had a break of 33 but couldn’t stop Brian Bloor from taking both frames.

Division 2 had the only two whitewashes of the week as Swad Snk Ctr E defeated Burton Cons D and Swad Snk Ctr G punished Newhall B. Steve Wilson proving he is back in form for Swad as he claimed his frames with ease.

Ivanhoe D thought that they might have an easy match at home to Swad Cons B as Swad could only turn out 3 players. It took a 40 break from Dave Watson to level at 2 – 2 with Swad. That meant the Cons were now playing for the draw but luckily for Ivanhoe Paul Wileman took the win as he share frames with John Barnett.

Alrewas B hosted the match against their A team and triumphed as Micky Morris took the first frame on the pink. He couldn’t manage to add any further points as John Sharpe outplayed him in the second frame.

Division 3 has a tough team to beat in John Carr D. Martin Beard, Mick Baxter and Gary Chambers all took their frames. Only Mark Anslow for Newhall D could save their blushes as he shared the match with Mark King.

All players should use their Christian name on the match cards, not initials. This will enable us to track your averages more easily and accurately when the website is released in a couple of weeks. Also, please put the correct division and order of play on your match card.