2009-10: Week 21

The penultimate week of the Burton & District Snooker League matches left most promotion and relegation battlers still unsure of their status for next year. Premier Divisions Rileys A though now know their fate, being relegated to the Presidents division one after losing to Ivanhoe B 6-2. Swad Cons A are still in with a mathematical chance of being crowned champions but the runners up spot is more likely after a fine 6- 2 win against Belmont A. Leaders Burton Cons A maintained their gap over their nearest rivals with a 6-2 victory of their own but they must play the final match before they can call themselves champions. Tutbury A bagged the two frames preventing the titles destination for one more week. Ivanhoe A, another 6-2 winner, sit third after their win against Rileys B. John Chambers, the only player to win frames for Rileys D, had breaks of 30, 35 and 50. Stapenhill A find themselves three points adrift of safety after losing 5-3 at Woodville Working Mens Club A. The Swans now need to win 3 more frames than Ivanhoe B and for Ivanhoe to lose to the Wooden Box side in the final week to retain Premier league status. South Derbyshire Snooker Centre A edge closer to the drop after going down 3-5 against Willington Sports & Social A. They sit second from bottom and have a tough match in the final week against second from top Swad Cons. South Derbyshire Snooker Centre B are champions of the Presidents Division One. Their 7-1 win at Rolleston A capped an excellent season for the Swad team. Rolleston are relegated to division 2 after this result. Stable mates South Derbyshire C are also promoted and secure the runners up spot after drawing with Rileys C. Tony Clements knocked in a 37 break taking both his frames for Rileys. Belmont B will be playing in Division 1 again next season as they drew with Belmont C. Belmont C must hope that a more relaxed Snooker Centre B side turn up next week if they are to stave off relegation. They need to gain one point more than the two teams below them in the final week to stay up. Ivanhoe C who had a 7-1 win at Snooker Centre D, Tutbury B and Rileys C plus Stapenhill B who beat Woodville Sports & Social Club 6-2,each have one shot at the final promotion place. Stapenhill B’s Karl Hancox potted a 35 break and team mate John Richardson bagged a 38 against the Woodville side. Tutbury B meanwhile dispatched Burton Cons C 6-2. The highlight was a composed 58 break by the Tutters Dave Mabbott. Dave Plunkett reduced the deficit for the Cons after already being 6-0 down by winning a close encounter with Dave Powell. David Wain Insurance Division 2’s Ivanhoe D had their hopes of the league title dashed by Swad Cons C. Cons nicked a 5-3 result in what has been an excellent second half of the season for them. Swad Cons B put up a fighting performance against Burton Cons D to earn a draw but still look destined to finish in the bottom three. South Derbyshire Snooker Centre E are 1 point above the relegation candidates after a 6-2 win against Stapenhill C. Burton Cons C overcame the threat of in form Drakelow A to win 5-3. League leaders Burton Cons C go into the final week with a 6 point cushion over second placed Rileys D. Drakelow, having finished their season, need one of the three teams below them to slip up in the final week to guarantee safety. Rileys D are the only side who can overhaul Burton Cons C for the title. A 6-2 win against Alrewas A puts them in the runners up spot. Rileys F stay top of Rileys Division 3 going into the final week of the season. The 6-2 win against Woodville Sports & Social Club B could have easily ended up a draw in this closely contested match. Newhall A remain 2 points behind the leaders after a 6-2 win at Belmont D. Allan Gray looks as though he has taken the rabbit’s hat off Callum Gray, unable to win a frame. Newhall need three more frame wins than Rileys in the final week to snatch the league title. Alrewas B and Tutbury C could not be separated in their mid table clash. Both teams will be division 3 members next season. Cyril Smith