2006-07: Week 13

The half way stage has been reached in the local snooker league and Swad SC A has grabbed the lead in the Just Wood Premier Division by beating their B team. There were several frames that went down to the final colours but the A team showed superior safety and potting skills to take these. Rob Chambers (35 break), Darren Noble and Brett Bailey all played with confidence and were rewarded with two frames each. John Chambers also played well but missed the blue allowing Bill Davidson to clear for the first frame. Chambers concentrated harder in the second and took it more easily. At the time of this report the result of the Willington A v Burton Cons A match is unknown so we are going to have to wait until the New Year to find out if Belvedere Park A have retained the second position. Rolleston A and Newhall A were evenly matched from the start so the score comes as no surprise. Kev Norris & Adam McNulty managed two for each side and the other games ended level. Belmont A put in another sound performance at home to Ivanhoe A. Ian Archer, Kev Elkin and Steve Burton didn’t falter for the win but Andy Straw was unable to emulate his team mates and dropped two to Tony Eyre. Swad Cons A played well to secure a draw at Burton Cons B. Paul Berry gave Swad the edge in the first games but Mitch Hughes has found a new confidence and took both for an equal share of the points. In Presidents Division 1, Woodville WMC A had a rest week so the chance was there for Swad SC C to snatch the lead. Unfortunately they forgot to turn out for the Tuesday match against Burton Cons C. Stapenhill B and Belmont B also ended in a draw. Mark Vaughan and Shaun Gebbie put Belmont 3-1 up only to watch Steve Ford and Mark Parry produce the same form for Stapenhill and a share of the points. This week Ivanhoe C got the better of Belvedere Park B although most frames went down to the wire. Ivanhoe’s stars were Warren Collins, Tony Davey and Steve Cockeram with Jason Collins sharing his game with Chris Gould. Tutbury B visited Swad SC D and went home happy in the knowledge that they have narrowed the gap on the leaders. Greg Read and Mark Press made sure of the first four frames leaving Russ Banner and Lee Causer to ensure the team win by taking one each from Garton Bloor and Rob McNulty respectively. Tutbury A looked like being on the receiving end of a Stapenhill A bashing. They would have gone four down if it hadn’t been for Dave Shenton going in off the final black and Dave Mabbott getting his act together in his second frame against Carl Jeffcoate. Golden oldies, Brian Holmes and Dave Powell then turned the game around by getting three out of four and so put the teams on equal points. At Drakelow A, Simon Orpwood potted balls from every angle and gave John Carr A’s Dennis Ganley little opportunity to shine. Orpwood hit a 24 break plus many more in the high teens and in the first frame Ganley conceded with two reds left on the table. Paul Smith however lost out to Steve Castledine who looked in good form, but Pat Ryan got lucky as Dave Plunkett potted the final black and then went in off into the yellow pocket. There second frame was a complete bore, taking 25mins to pot the last four colours. Tony Coleman and Ian Shrive ended level, finishing the second frame in the same time. In Furniture King Division 2 Swad SC F took a rest and their rivals played each other for second spot. Both these sides are capable of playing in a higher division and so only a win would do. Paul Eaton and Paul Boyle got Measham WMC A off to the best possible start but had to watch on as Ivanhoe D fought back through Jeff Whetton and Paul Wileman. Fortunately for Measham Nigel Dutton came good and managed a frame for the extra point. Swad SC E has looked comfortable in this division but let it slip this week. Newhall C put in a performance to be proud of as David Wain, Gordon Smith, Rob Press and Andy Rice took seven frames between them. The high break in this division has now increased to 61. This was set by Alrewas B’s skipper Mick Morris when they played at Newhall B, although the match ended all square. Yet another draw occurred at Swad Cons B in their match against Swad SC G. Swad SC had four frames in their pocket going into the last game but the Con’s Chris Vernon proved what a campaigner he is and defeated Steve Wilson. Bottom of the table clash between John Carr B and Swad Cons C also ended level. Graham Smith put the home side two up and Jordan Iliffe responded with two for the Cons. Next up Steve Pearsall and John Peto had to settle for one each with Graham Leech and Ian Jardine respectively. In David Wain Insurance Division 3 the leading teams were into the Christmas spirit and all drew. The surprising draw of the week was by John Carr D away to Swad Cons D. The first games ended level but John Carr then stepped up a gear with Martin Beard getting both of Dan Fenwick. Swad’s Kev Starkey was not going to be denied and took two for their first team draw this season and also end John Carr’s run of consecutive wins. Belmont C secured a draw with Stapenhill D. Gary Ward won his frames and set Belmont off in the right direction. Stapenhill then hit back through Karl Hancox and Colin Wood and with their last player at the top of the averages looked favourite to win. Belmont’s Jim Parkes was not going to make it easy and played out of his skin for a well deserved win and a 4-4 scoreline. Rolleston D and C started with 5pts separating them. This has been reduced to just 2pts thanks to Ian Welby as all other players drew. Willington B visited John Carr C and had to wait until the final game for the victory. Kevin Bradley managed both his frames and this moves the team a little further up the table. Newhall D lost the match against Rolleston B. Rolleston’s Joe Docksey, Tim Farrington and John Ward all put in winning performances. This week it was Newhall’s Dave Jackson that saved the whitewash in his shared match with Tim James. Competition Draw Arthur Edwards (ToolCrew) Qtr Final (best of 3 frames) to be played by 31st Jan 2007 M. Satchwell / S. Smith (11) v T. Knopik / J. Sheriff (12), J. Chambers / R. Chambers (9) v J. Fletcher / M. Milnes (1), C. Keen / A. Davies (12) v D. Lester / R. Gilmore (12), F. McNulty / M. Hicks (4) v N. Townsend / J. Davis (9)