2011-12: Week 28

In the Just Wood Premier Division, congratulations to Burton Cons on retaining the Premier league title as they beat Tutbury A 5-3. Mat Milnes, for the Cons, should have won both frames against Daz Lester, but Daz produced a wonder shot on the pink to steal it. Poor Colin Bell for Tutbury, making his debut for the team, had to face Jonathan Fletcher who was in awesome form, and who did not give Colin any chances. Owen Jones, again should have won both frames against Craig Keen, but miscued a shot letting Craig in, to take a frame. By all accounts, Alan Davies of Tutbury, had his fair share of good running against Stuart Roberts, but it ended up honours even. Rumour has it that if Carlsberg had a snooker team, it would probably be the best team in this league!

A good win in the relegation battle for SDSC B 5-3 against Ivanhoe B. The reliable Simon Orpwood again played well in taking both frames fairly comfortably off Stuart Tagg. Brian Bloor and Jason Pickering had two fairly entertaining frames with honours shared. Jason did make a 35 break to win his frame. Andrew Bloor for SDSC took both frames off Brendon Mattley, with some good snooker pots and safety. John Skellet for Ivanhoe, again won both frames, as he appears to be doing this a lot lately, this time beating Garton Bloor.

Rather a shock result when high flying Ivanhoe A turned over Belmont A who are fourth, 7-1. The shock being that Ivanhoe’s captain Kirk beat Mr Consistency, Sturmy Archer. I believe this is the first time this season that Sturmy has lost both frames, although Mick graciously said that Sturmy was “out of sorts.” Belmont’s Graham Bailey won his first game against Ian Rennocks, which prevented the whitewash, but Ian came back well to win the second frame. Andy Marriott was again in cracking form, this time against Shaun Gebbie, winning both frames in style, with breaks of 49, 39 and 36. Antony Moore again came up with the goods, by beating Brett Craddock.

In a hard fought match, Stapenhill A could only draw with Willington B. Tim Knopik and Andy Jenkins drew in two scrappy frames. Chris Gould, who had very little luck lost both frames to John Hardy. Andy Tomlinson and Tony Clements shared two very good frames of snooker, with the highlight being Tony’s 38 break. Steve Ford for Stapenhill, rolled back the years against Steve Gaunt, with a great display of snooker potting, winning both frames.

Newhall got over their disapointment of last week, losing to the new league champions Burton Cons, by thumping Belmont B 8-0 away. Unfortunately for Belmont, the Vaughan family, Mark and Arron, had no answer to Mark Satchwell and Fran McInulty’s potting skills on the night respectively. Martin Hicks was slightly fortunate to take both frames of Rich Goldby. Wayne Brewin was again in good form, by beating Miffa Smith.

A very good result for Rileys A against Tutbury B, when they won 6-2. The Tutters are still not certain which division they will be playing in next season. For Rileys, Michael Lomas was playing some good snooker in beating Dave Mabbott. The Tutters came back to be level at the turn, thanks to Steve Mabbott beating Michael Dewsbury. Martin Riddell was in superb firm, taking both frames off Chris Mabbott, which included a very good 64 break. Captain, Zaheer, finished off a good evening for Rileys, by comfortably taking both frames off Dave Powell.

In the David Wain Insurance Division One, Burton Cons D, the joint highest draw specialist with eleven, managed a rare victory against relegation threatened Woodville A, beating them 6-2. Paul Davies and Paul Slater shared two scrappy frames. Steve Castledine and Lee Wood both played some really good snooker, with neither of them deserving to lose. It was all downhill after this for Woodville, as Ian Shrive was in excellent form to take both frames off Andy Grainger, who very rarely drops both frames. Mick Buckland has, for most of the season, been the Cons most consistent player, and he again proved it by taking both frames off Simon Mansfield.

Just like most of the season, Drakelow lost at home, this time to SDSC C 3-5, who are coming up on the rails for the third promotional spot. SDSC got off to a good start with Adam Harrison taking both frames in a close encounter with Mark Baxter. Alan Orpwood and Pete Maguire shared two good frames of snooker. The silky skills of veteran, Pat Ryan were a joy to watch as he took both close frames against Ben Davies, who missed one or two match winning opportunities. Henry Tomas then took two good frames of snooker off Tony Coleman.

Nothing seems to be going right at the moment for Rileys C, as they lost to their club rivals Rileys B 8-0. Again, they failed to turn up with a full team – well done for persevering.

Belmont C came very close to becoming Burton Cons C’s first unbeaten match of the season, but they just edged it 5-3, thanks to a 31 break by Mark Sherrett in winning both frames. Well done to Ian Protheroe of the Cons, for winning both frames against Paul Eaton, who rarely drops both frames.

Another win for SDSC D against Stapenhill B 5-3, leaves Stapenhill still around the relegation area. Star player for SDSC was Adey McDonnell, taking both frames in some style against John Richardson. Lee Sherrett and Bryan Sharratt shared both frames, where both players both showed their potting skills. Ryan Gilmore and Colin Britton shared two steady frames, with plenty of good safety play. It was left to SDSC’s skipper, David Wain to win a frame yet again, for victory against Greg Britton, who won the second frame.

In the Rileys Division Two, what a good week For Alrewas D. Last Monday, they won the final of the President’s Cup against Newhall A and Rileys D in some style. This week they are crowned champions of this division. Although a newly entered team, they have a very talented squad. This week they beat Tutbury C 6-2. Colin Kinsella, one of the stars of the previous night, was again in good form, beating Mark Storr with a bit to spare. Dave ‘Fiery Fred’ Trueman won both frames against a determined Graham Fisher. Carl ‘The Potinator’ Poulton and Graham Smith drew which was a fair result. Stand-in Jimmy Edwards, gave John Peto a bit of a caneing in the first frame which included a 31 break. John came back well to win the second frame.

Alrewas C continued their good run with a good away win at SDSC E 3-5. Yet again, man of the match for Alrewas was Karl Hancox, by taking both frames off Ray Stretton. Ray controlled the first frame with some solid potting – he was 22 points ahead on the colours when Karl clicked into gear by potting a superb pink, and a pressure black to give Alrewas at least a draw. Karl comfortably won the second, but Ray never recovered from losing his first frame. All of the other three matches were drawn.

Alrewas B also had a good win against Woodville C, beating them 5-3. For Alrewas, Tom Smith was in good form, making a 29 break, and beating Luke Hudson. Both Alan Shuttleworth and Brian Eccleston played out two entertaining frames, which were shared with Brian making a career best break of 21. For Woodville, Terry Eyley was in cracking form, making a 25 break, a taking both frames off Brian Aldridge. John Hill got the two frames required by Alrewas for victory by some outstanding potting against a young James Gardner.

In the battle for runners up position, it looks like it is going to be Alrewas A, after they beat third placed Woodville B 5-3, in a rather tight match. The first two sets of matches ended all square. Will Sherratt had two close frames with Dave Budworth, then Alrewas’ potting sensation Phil Marklew drew with Trevor ‘Hit Man’ Heath, and Phil making a 30 break to win his frame. John Sharpe also drew with the wily campaigner, Brian Alford, in two rather scrappy frames. The deciding match was between Alan Wilson and Bill Davidson, Alan with some inspired potting and good safety play, took both frames off Bill to give Alrewas victory.

Willington C continued their good season by beating Swad Cons D 5-3. The Cons got off to a good start, thanks to Nig Duggins taking both frames off Darren Bradley in some style. The Power boys fought back well with Steve Lane playing some very good snooker to beat Marc Egan. Steve Butterworth continued the charge with the beating of Gaz Ward, with some quality snooker. Darren Harris got the one frame required for victory, by drawing with Scott Gee.

Another win for Swad Cons C 5-3 against Belmont D – this sounded like a good match. Craig Wilson and Josh Gebbie shared both frames. Josh knocked in a 31 break. Vince Draper won both frames against Dougie Lees and was the difference between the two teams. Two old campaigners, Bob Birch and Terry Bosworth, who over the years have played each other on numerous occasions. Nothing has changed, they drew, and they both made a break of 29 to win their frame. Matt Newbold and Dave Press also drew their match too.

Newhall B beat basement club, Swad Cons B 5-3, but not without being given a fright. For the Cons, Dan Petcher played exceptionally well to take both frames off Joe McInulty. In the second frame, Joe conceded with 3 reds still on the table. Newhall’s captain Carl Glover, again played well, this time against the unlucky Pete Fearn. Callum Gray was also a little bit lucky to win both frames against John Griffiths. Jonny Howlett got the frame required for victory, when he drew with John Petcher.