2011-12: Week 23

In the Just Wood Premier Division, Newhall A kept up the pressure on Burton Cons with an excellent 6-2 win away to relegation threatened Stapenhill A. Fran McInulty, Newhall’s captain, had a good night against Steve Ford, by winning the first frame on the black after requiring two snookers on the pink, which is no mean achievement. In the second frame, he went to town by firstly knocking in a 54 break, which included some excellent pots, and finished off with a 31 break. Another Newhall player in good form was Mark Satchwell, who took both frames off Tim Knopik. Stapenhill’s Andy Tomlinson had two good frames of snooker, with Martin Hicks which ended with honours shared. Carlos Jeffcoate helped to put a bit of respectability on the score line, by drawing with Adam McInulty.

A good win for Willington B against SDSC B 5-3. Andy Bloor gave SDSC the ideal start by beating Andy Jenkins in two close frames, then Simon Orpwood took a frame off Tony Clements, with the help of a good 46 break. It was downhill then for SDSC, with John Hardy playing some good safety play to beat Garton Bloor, then the steady cuemanship of Steve Gaunt got him through two tight frames against Brian Bloor.

In the local derby between the two Tutbury teams, it was the A team that came out with the bragging rights, but only just. Apparently, it was nip and tuck all the way between two evenly matched teams. It was honours even between Dave Mabbott and Daz Lester. In the match between Steve Mabbott and Alan Davies, Steve was in good potting form to take the first frame, but Alan came back well to win the second frame. The odd man out was Craig Keen, who won both frames against Dave Powell in two closely contested frames. Tutbury A were looking at Paul Atterbury to get the winning frame against Chris Mabbott. Chris won the first frame and was winning the second, when the black ball got stuck in the jaws of the pocket, and got surrounded by about ten reds. Both players agreed to a re-rack, and that proved to be the turning point of the match, as Paul went on to win the frame and match, with some confident potting.

An excellent away win for Ivanhoe B against Rileys A 5-3. The win helps their relegation battle, and puts Rileys near the bottom of the table. Rileys got off to a great start with Michael Lomas potting extremely well to take both frames off premiership new boy, Mark Muir. Martin Riddell comfortably won his first frame against Brendan Mattley. In the second frame, Brendan dug deep to win the second frame on the brown. Jason Pickering, for Ivanhoe, won two very close frames against Zaheer, who can count himself very unlucky not to have taken a frame. Ivanhoe’s John Skellett, rolled back the years with some excellent potting, to get the two frames off Michael Dewsbury for a victory for Ivanhoe.

Burton Cons just about deserved their victory over Belmont A 3-5 away. The match between two of the leagues most talented players, Ian Archer for Belmont, and Jonathan Fletcher for the Cons, did not live up to expectations on the night. Ian made the most of his chances, while Jonathan did not, allowing Ian to win both frames. Steve Burton, for Belmont, took early leads in both frames, but could not hold onto them against Mick Simpkins, who came back at him with small breaks, and put Steve under pressure. Mick went on to win both frames, and he also managed a 33 break. Shaun Gebbie and Stuart Roberts shared the spoils. Shaun was in particularly good form in the first frame with good, solid match play snooker, but Stuart came back in the second frame with a well timed break to draw his match, which was thoroughly deserved. Snooker is about taking chances when they arise, but unfortunately, Graham Bailey missed his chances against the talented Owen Jones. Owen did just enough to win both frames, which included a 36 break.

A good win for SDSC A against Belmont B 6-2. SDSC got off to a perfect start with Steve Ayre yet again in good form, taking both frames off Mick Morris. Andy Goldingay, SDSC’s most consistent player of the season, again won both frames, this time against the unlucky Rich Goldby. Arron Vaughan of Belmont, saved their blushes with some good snooker play in both frames, and beating Chris Dewey. John Davis took the frames they needed for victory, by beating Miffa Smith.

Ivanhoe A continued their good run of form, this time against fifth in the table, Willington A, who they beat 6-2. Andy Marriott was again in good form, by beating David Hayman fairly easily, and knocking in breaks of 37, 32 followed by another 32. Ian Rennocks overcame Bill Stewart, by winning the first frame on the black, but won the second a little easier. For Willington, Wayne Pierera beat Mick Kirk in two close frames. Antony Moore completed a good night for Ivanhoe by beating an out of sorts Jan Pawlazych.

In the David Wain Insurance Division 1, Rileys D played their stable mates, Rileys C. Rileys D are on top of the division, and Rileys C are third, so you would have expected a close game, but nobody told the D team, as they thrashed the C team 8-0. By all accounts, they were in awesome form. Mike Flanagan, as is his norm, took frames of a shell shocked Adam Farrington. Rich Foster played very well to take both frames off the usually consistent Paul Fox. Mark Stirling then took two frames off John Hall. Micky Tonks then took two frames off Rileys new player, Barry Wilcox. Rileys D must be favourite to go up as champions.

SDSC C drew their match with Burton Cons D. For the Cons, this was their tenth drawn match of the season. Adam Harrison and Ian Shrive had a share of the spoils. SDSC’s Lee Wright, although playing well, his opponent, Mick Buckland, was too strong for him on the night. Harry Farrell, SDSC’s young star, was again in good form, by taking both frames in some style against Steve Castledine, which is no mean feat, and also included a 25 break. Ben Davies lost his first frame to wily Jim Jennings, but came back well by clearing the colours to the pink for a draw.

An excellent away victory for SDSC D against Ivanhoe D 6-2. In the first frame, SDSC’s Carl White was in superb form by knocking in a 50 break, which included some excellent long pots. In the second frame, George Cawkwell came back well to take the second frame with some good pots. SDSC’s Rob Press’ rich vein of form continues with him beating Warner Collins. In two contrasting frames of snooker, Adey McDonnell ground out the first frame against Barry Fieldsend, but in the second frame, Barry found something to his liking in the beer, and was potting balls from all angles, even one off the lamp shade! Captain, David Wain, won both of his frames fairly comfortably against Jack Bale for victory.

A hard earned draw for Ivanhoe C away to Belmont C, with Dickie Davis for Belmont played at the top of his form to draw with Gaz Dolman. Paul Eaton had two cracking frames with Steve Cockerham, which ended all square. When Mark Sherratt plays for Belmont, he always seems to win, and in this match with Graham Measures there was no exception. Darren Wilson got the vital two frames for Ivanhoe, to draw by taking both frames off Lee Turner, with some excellent potting.

What a credit Burton Cons C are. They are bottom of the league, but they turn up every week, wanting to play snooker, even though they have not won a game this season. The same thing happened this week, as they lost at home to Rileys B 8-0. For Rileys, Mark King had a 32 break against Ian Protheroe.

In the Rileys Division 2, Alrewas A surprisingly drew away to Swad Cons D. Alan Wilson got Alrewas off to a good start by beating Scott Gee. For the Cons, Gaz Ward was their star player, by beating Roy Sherratt in two highly entertaining frames. Phil Marklew, of Alrewas, dropped only his third frame of the season, by drawing with Marc Egan, who played very well. It was left to Mike Smith and Alrewas’ Will Sherratt to see who could get the two frames for victory, both failed, as they both drew.

A slightly surprising result was Alrewas C beating Swad Cons C 5-3. This defeat has slightly hampered Swad Cons promotion bid. Karl Hancox beat Bob Birch in which the first frame was very close, and being decided on the black, but the second frame was dominated by Karl. Nigel Edwards had a fairly comfortable win against Errol Faulkner. Swad Cons got on the score sheet, thanks to Craig Wilson winning two scrappy frames against Rob McMeecham. Captain, Colin Wood, was Alrewas’ star player, after requiring snookers in the first frame against Matt Newbold, he got the necessary snookers, and by potting the black, the game was tied. Colin potted the re-spotted black, much to the delight of his team mates. Matt won the second frame, but by then, Alrewas had won the match.

Alrewas D, the divisions current leaders, had a convincing win away to Woodville C 7-1. Alrewas’ Colin Kinsella was in no mood to let Jim Gardner take a frame off him, a bit like Jim did to Phil Marklew, by knocking in a superb 45 break, and comfortably took the second. Terry Eyley, with the help of the odd double, took the first frame off Carl ‘The Potinator’ Poulton. Carl took the second frame with the help of a 24 break. David ‘Fiery Fred’ Trueman was in outstanding form by winning both frames easily against Alan Shuttleworth. Luke Hudson had no answer to Ian Hiley’s devastating potting in both frames.

Swad Cons B’s performance against Woodville B belies their league position, after losing 3-5 on the final black of the match. John Griffin, for the Cons, was up against it playing Trevor ‘Hit Man’ Heath, who was in excellent potting form, not giving John many opportunities. Jon Petcher levelled the scores, by beating the inconsistent Bill Davidson. Dan Petcher and David Budworth were involved in two rather scrappy frames, and ending up with a share of the spoils. Reggie Shorthouse was very unlucky to lose both frames against the pocket dynamo, Brian Alford. Brian comfortably took the first frame, but the second frame could have gone either way, as it went down to the black after a few minutes of safety play. Brian had the chance to cut the black into the middle pocket, and after rolling round the rim of the pocket, it dropped in for a lucky victory for Woodville.

Willington C had a good win over Rolleston B 5-3. Loz Kenerson had the perfect evening beating John Wood, and also knocking in a 52 break, which is one of the highest in this division. Steve Butterworth and Lee Cooke had two shared frames, and the same can be said of Darren Harris, Tim James, Steve Lane and Neil Cheadle. Willington, seem to have acquitted themselves pretty well in their first season, after a bit of a dodgy start.

It was a very good home win for SDSC by beating Tutbury C 8-0. Andy Jefferies beat Mark Storr in some style. Ray Bancroft ground out two frames against Graham Smith. Ray Stretton was in good form to beat Graham Fisher, and Tony Mitchell won an entertaining match against John Peto.