In the Just Wood Premier Division, relegation threatened Tutbury B did themselves a power of good by beating Willington A 6-2. Dave ‘the silver fox’ Powell, in his match against Willington skipper Bill Stewart, hardly potted a ball in the first frame, but in the second frame it was the complete opposite. Dave Mabbott came back well after losing the first frame to Jan Pawalych, with some steady potting and safety play. Steve Mabbott was in superb form against Wayne Piera, taking both frames, which does not happen very often, and it was left to Chris Mabbott to win both frames against Dave Hayman for a Tutters victory.

SDSC A thrashed fellow club mates SDSC B 7-1, with Simon Orpwood taking the only frame for the B team against John Davis. Andy Goldingay, who has been playing very well all season, won again against Brian Bloor. Steve Ayre then won two scrappy frames against Andy Bloor. Chris Dewey had little trouble in dispatching Garton Bloor.

Another good win for Ivanhoe A against Belmont B, winning 7-1. For Ivanhoe, Andy Marriott continued his good form against Mick Morris, making a well constructed 61 break in the first frame, and in the second, Mick had the chances to take the second frame, but failed to capitalise on his opportunities, which let Andy back in to take the second frame as well. Ian Rennocks was in good form against Mark Vaughan, by winning both frames, but not without a fright or two. Ian knocked in a 36 break. Michael Kirk was in good potting form against Miffa Smith, clearing up in both frames to win. Antony Moore won the first frame against Rich Goldby, but Rich came back well to take the second and prevent the whitewash.

Newhall A kept up the pressure against Rileys A 6-2. Michael Lomas, for Rileys, gave Martin Hicks a bit of a fright in his first frame, by knocking in a 61 break which included some excellent long pots. Martin took the second frame with some ease. The McInulty brothers, Fran and Adam, were in excellent form, by taking all four frames against Zaheer and Michael Dewsbury respectively. Martin Riddell and Wayne Brewin fought out two scrappy frames for a share of the spoils.

A good win for Willington B 5-3 against Tutbury A. John Hardy and Alan Davies shared two frames with neither player potting consistently. For Tutbury, Daz Lester could not build his win from the previous week, and drew with Lionel Lewis. For Willington, Tony Clements won the two frames against Paul Atterbury, for a Willington victory. Steve Gaunt had two close frames with Craig Keen. Craig won a frame, but he is not his normal, consistent self this season.

Congratulations to Burton Cons for retaining the Orme Sheild against Belmont 6-4. The Cons just had the edge in one or two areas. The highlight of the evening was a magnificent 99 clearance by John Shilton, which included some exceptional positional shots, and his potting was excellent.

In the David Wain Insurance Division 1, a good win for one of the ‘form’ teams, Belmont C, as they beat Burton Cons D 6-2. Dickie Davis played some excellent pots to take a frame off the colourful Jim Jennings. Lee Turner and Steve Castledine also had a share of the spoils. It was left to Paul Eaton and Mark Sherratt to win their frames respectively against Paul Davies and Ian Shrive to earn them victory.

Drakelow drew with Rileys B. Rileys are the draw specialists in the division, but after leading 1-4, they must have felt that they were going to win. Drakelow’s star player was Pat Ryan, who took both frames off Mark King. Pat’s first frame was a rather scrappy affair, but in the second he was in sparkling potting form by making a break of 24, and leaving Mark requiring snookers on the yellow. Mark Baxter lost his first frame on the colours, but won the second on the black after Adam went on off the pink. The two frames between Alan Orpwood and Ade Harper were very close, with Alan going in off the pink in both frames to give Ade the win. In the first frame, Alan gave away at least 30 points in fouls, and if he had not have done that, then he would have won the frame quite comfortably. Another close match between Tony Coleman and Andy Speirs, with Andy taking the first on the pink after about five minutes of safety play, and then Tony took the pink and black for the draw.

In the battle of the top two, it was Rileys D who came out the victors, by beating Ivanhoe C 5-3. Rileys got off to a good start with Mike Flanagan beating Jerry Cook fairly easily, with breaks of 33 in the first frame, and 43 in the second. Steve Brimley then did well to draw with Gaz Dolman, and Darren Wilson then pulled Ivanhoe level with two excellent frames of snooker against Mark Stirling, who does not drop two frames very often. Micky Tonks earned Rileys the win, by taking both frames off Steve Cockram.

Burton Cons B beat Woodville A 5-3, thanks to Dave Plunkett taking both frames off Paul Slater. Simon Smith, on his return to the snooker scene, seems to be enjoying it, as he drew with Woodville’s top player, Andrew Grainger. Andrew also made a 31 break in the frame he won. David Shipton and Lee Wood also drew, and the same happened to Tom Egginton and Chris Brown.

Stapenhill B won 7-1 away to Burton Cons C. Well done to Paul Brooks for taking a frame off Greg Britton.

There was a rather surprising scoreline with the home defeat of SDSC C to SDSC D 7-1. A closer game would have been expected. Henry Tomas took the only frame for the C team against Adey McDonnell. Lee Sherratt was on top form to take both frames off Lee Wright. Ben Davies surprisingly lost both frames in a scrappy affair with Rob Press. In the battle between two of the teams most experienced players, Ryan Gilmore beat Adam Harrison.

Ivanhoe D had a very good win against one of the fancied teams for promotion, Rileys C 5-3. At the moment, Rileys form is very inconsistent. Barry Fieldsend, playing good snooker, took both frames off Adam Farrington with a bit to spare. Jack Bale and Ryan Gibbs also had two good frames of snooker with honours even. Jack’s son Tim played his part by drawing with Gary Mayne. Wily old Warner Collins got the frame that Ivanhoe needed for victory off Paul Fox, even when Paul made a 37 break, it did not stop Warner.

In the Rileys Division 2, Newhall B had another good win at the expense of Tutbury C, in what was a close run match, with Newhall winning 5-3. Newhall got off to a good start with Joe McInulty winning two scrappy frames off Mark Storr. Carl Glover lost his first frame on the black to Graham Fisher, but more than made up for it in the second, by winning comfortably, and also knocking in a 22 break. Tutbury’s Graham Smith and John Peto played well to bring the match scores level at 3-3 against John Laud and Callum Gray respectively, but the two Newhall lads got their heads down and won the two frames required for victory. On the night, Tutbury were unlucky to lose.

A good draw for Alrewas C at home to promotion hopefuls, Woodville B. Rob McMeecham and Bill Davidson drew in two very close frames. Nigel Edwards had the best of the match against Trevor ‘hit man’ Heath, but still could only draw. Karl Hancox, when he is on form, is an extremely good potter, and tonight, against Brian Alford, it was one of those nights, with him beating Brian Alford, and making a 27 break also. Woodville’s captain, Dave Budworth, rescued them a draw in a scrappy match with Colin Wood, by winning both frames.

Swad Cons C had an excellent win 8-0 away to Woodville C. This win keeps them in the promotion mix. Colin Cope was in good form, by making a 28 break and beating Ben Woodward. Rich Brown won two scrappy frames against Alan Shuttleworth. Matt Newbold won two frames against the skillful and experienced potter, Eric Thornewill. Woodville’s Terry Eyley had no answer to Bob Birch’s potting and safety play, and lost both frames.

In yet another inter club derby match between two Alrewas teams, this one was between the B and A teams, and it was the A team that came out victors 6-2. The win keeps Alrewas A challenging their D team for top spot. Tony Trueman and Roy Sherratt had two competitive frames which ended a frame a piece. John Hill played well to take a frame off Alan Wilson, but after that, it was down hill all the way for the B team. Phil Marklew got back to form by winning both frames against Tom Smith, which included an excellent 54 break. Will Sherratt then took both frames off Brian Aldridge.

Honours even between Swad Cons D and Belmont D. Josh Gebbie for Belmont, took both frames off Nig Duggins, then Gaz Ward did the same for the Cons against Brian Cutting. Dave Bodie played well to take a frame off Terry Bosworth. Mark Egan drew with Doug Lees.

Swad Cons B lost at home to Rolleston B 1-7. Well done to Reggie Shorthouse for taking the only frame for the Cons against Tim James, to prevent a whitewash. Rolleston’s Lee Cooke took both frames off Barry Bentley. Pete Fearn then lost two scrappy frames to Neil Cheadle. The old meastro John Ward, came and worked some of his snooker magic in beating John Griffin.

By all accounts, Alrewas D were very lucky to beat Willington C away 2-6, as they won two black ball games to scrape the win. Colin Kinsella, for the Raptors, beat Loz Kenerson in two very tight frames, which could have gone either way. Steve Lane played very well to take his frame off Carl Poulton. Steve Butterworth and Dave ‘Fiery Fred’ Trueman, had two excellent frames of snooker, and it was fair that the honours ended even. On the night, the Raptors had Ian Hiley to thank for getting them over the line by beating Darren Harris.