2012-13: Week 20

In the Just Wood Premier Division Ivanhoe A moved into second place as they thrashed SDSC A 7-1 at home to keep the pressure on Burton Cons and Newhall.  By all accounts this was a very high quality encounter.  Daniel Blunn and Andy Goldingay drew in two close frames but that was as good as it got for SDSC.  Ian Rennocks beat Chris Dewey to put Ivanhoe 3-1 up at the turn with a solid display.  Michael Kirk put in a captain’s performance in beating Steve Ayre although winning the first frame fairly easily he only won the second on the black.  Andy Marriott was in cracking form as he won both of his frames at a canter against John Davis which included breaks of 33 and 38.
Burton Cons A are still top of the division after they overcame what on paper was a difficult match away to Tutbury B as they won 6-2 with a bit to spare.  The Cons Darren Coady was again in good form this time against Dave Powell beating him with some good pots.  In the first frame Dave potted some good balls.  The Tutters Steve Mabbott played well in beating Mat Milnes although Mat found the table rather slow.  John Shilton did not have any problems with the table as he played very well in winning his two frames fairly comfortably against Chris Mabbott.  Owen Jones another Cons player in a rich vein of form won his first frame of the evening at a bit of a canter against Steve Hathaway.  In the second frame things were very much closer with Owen 17 points behind on the blue but nicked it on the black after a long safety shot by Steve went astray leaving a simple pot for Owen.
Newhall A had a good win against fourth placed Belmont A winning 5-3.  Mark Press had an impressive win against Graham Bailey in two very tight frames.  Graham made a good 41 break but never even won the frame!  Fran McInulty drew with Rich Goldby in a game full of quality potting by both players.  Wayne Brewin was on fire as he took two frames of Shaun Gebbie in some style making four breaks over 30 in two frames is some going.  Wayne had breaks of 49, 42, 37 and 32.  Belmont’s Ian Archer made the score line a lot more respectable in beating Mark Satchwell.
Willington A had a most welcome win in beating Ivanhoe C 6-2.  This win takes them out of the relegation zone at the present time.  Bill Stewart played a good captain’s role giving them an excellent start by taking both frames off Gaz Dolman in an entertaining game.  Jan Pawlazych continued the good work beating Steve Cockerham to put Willington 4-0 ahead at the turn.  Graham Measures played some good pots as he drew with Gaz Barker.  Dean Johnson completed a good night for Willington as he shared his frames with Jerry Cook.
Belmont B had a good match drawing with Willington B.  On table one Michael Lomas played Tony Clements in two contrasting frames with Michael winning the first rather easily and in control of the second until he made a mistake which let in Tony for a superb 50 break the highest this week.  The break was made up of some good long pots and positional play to be on his next shot.  Tony missed the chance of making more than 50 when he messed up his position on the pink and missed it.  Arron Vaughan has finally got a good result at home by beating Andy Jenkins fairly easily.  Willington clawed their way back into the match thanks to John Hardy taking both frames off the unlucky Brett Craddock in two close frames.  Miffa Smith for Belmont took quite a while to get going in his match with Steve Gaunt losing the first fairly convincingly.  Steve possibly should have won the second also but he let Miffa in to take the frame to draw the match. 
SDSC B got their second win of the season at the expense of Ivanhoe B winning 5-3.  Simon Orpwood got them off to a fine start with a competent display against Stuart Tagg winning both frames.  Things got even better as Brian Bloor battled it out with Jason Pickering to get a well deserved draw.  Andy Bloor drew with Mark Pickering in two rather dour frames.  Garton Bloor was the main man as he took a battling frame off John Skellett for a well deserved victory for SDSC. 
A good draw for Tutbury A away to Rileys A but it still leaves them in the relegation zone.  In the battle of the two captains Rileys Mark Stirling and Alan Davies of Tutbury both shared two entertaining frames of snooker with neither player deserving to lose.  Craig Keen was again instrumental in Tutbury getting a positive result by taking both frames against Andy Spiers playing some good pots.  Ady Harper and Colin Bell shared a couple of scrappy frames.  It was left to Micky Tonks to get the two frames Rileys required for the draw with a solid performance in beating Daz Lester.
In the David Wain Insurance Division 1 SDSC C played very well to go to the in-form team at the moment Stapenhill A and come away with a 6-2 win – it just shows they have the talent to get promotion this season.  Adam Harrison started things off well for SDSC as he beat Tim Knopik with a fine display of potting and safety play.  Pete Maquire played well to take a frame of Stapenhill’s in-form player Chris Sheldrake in two entertaining frames.  Steve Ford and Henry Tomas deservedly shared their frames with both players making some fine pots.  Ben Davies rounded off a fine display by his team in taking both frames against a determined but unsuccessful Andy Tomlinson.
Second placed Alrewas A closed the gap to just one point on SDSC as they had a convincing 7-1 away to relegation threatened Woodville S&S A.  Colin Kinsella who is in a rich vein of form at the moment continued as he played some fine snooker against Jim Marcer to win both frames which included a very good 40 break.  On the other table Ian ‘hit man’ Hiley showed off his potting ability against Alan Orpwood in winning both frames.  In the second frame ‘hit man’ made a superb 46 break which should have been more when he missed the brown trying to get in position for the blue which left Alan still in the frame with a chance to steal it after potting the brown and a few missed shots but the Raptors captain gratefully took the blue and pink.  David ‘Fiery Fred’ Trueman was in the groove against Pat Ryan making some fine pots although Pat gave him a good run for his money.  King Carlos of Alrewas dropped the last frame of the evening to Tony Coleman which prevented the perfect night for the Raptors.  Carlos played great snooker in the first frame.
A fine win for SDSC D in beating another relegation threatened team Stapenhill B 5-3.  Lee Sherratt put in his best performance of the season to take both frames of Bryan Sharratt who was Stapenhill’s best player on the night.  Andy Rice and Colin Britton had a couple of scrappy frames which was shared.  Danny Collins for SDSC played some fine snooker to take a frame off the experienced Greg Britton.  Dave Wain was unlucky to drop a frame to Stan Piechowicz. 
Burton Cons C’s form at the moment seems to be in free fall losing ground on the promotion pack rather rapidly as they lost to Swad Cons A 5-3 at home.  Jim Jennings lost two close frames to the consistent Mark Hadley.  Jim still hasn’t recovered from the loss of losing his cue extension!!  A fine potting display by both players Mick Buckland and Andy Grainger ended with both sharing the frames although Mick did knock in a quick fire 34 break to take his frame.  For the Cons Steve Castledine got them back on level terms with a determined performance in taking both frames from Lee Wood.  Paul Slater for Swad Cons took the necessary two frames they required for the win against an out-of-sorts Ian Shrive in a slightly drawn out match.   
Third placed Alrewas B beat middle of the table Newhall B 6-2.  This win keeps them nicely in position for the promotion spot.  Alan Wilson of Alrewas got them off to a fine start by beating John Laud with some good pots which also included a 36 break.  Will Sherratt then put Alrewas in the driving seat with a quality performance to take both frames off Callum Gray which has not happened many times this season.  John Sharpe played very well to draw with ex premier league player Martin Hicks to give Alrewas the win.  Phil Marklew had two enthralling games with Carl Glover which ended with honours even with some good pots and safety play by both players.
Burton Cons B shared the points with Rolleston in a most enjoyable match.  In the match between Simon Smith of the Cons and Kev Norris of Rolleston it was two frames of flukes for Rolleston.  Kev required the black for the frame he won by fluking it when the black hit the jaws of the pocket ran along the top cushion into the opposite pocket.  In the second frame Kev did something similar and made a 24 break from it.  You have to feel for Simon losing both frames in such a fashion.  On table 2 the match between Tom Egginton and Bob Sanders was shared with Tom winning the first.  Jason Anguish took the first frame in an open match with Kieron Waddle.  In the second frame Jason was 16 points in front when he fouled the pink.   Kieron potted the pink and black to steal the frame.  The final match was between Dave Plunkett and Bob Tubey with a rather scrappy first frame with Dave winning it on the blue.  The second frame was completely different when Bob broke off and Dave knocked in a nice 33 break.  Bob conceded with one red left on the table.
A hard fought draw for Willington C against Rileys B does nothing to ease their relegation fears.  Dave Budworth got Willington off to a good start in beating Adam Farrington although there was some good snooker by both players.  Riley’s Ryan Gibbs pulled the scores level as he won two scrappy frames with Bill Davidson.  Trevor Heath put Willington in a good position for the win in beating Gary Mayne with some cracking pots.  Unfortunately Brian Alford was not at his best losing to Paul Fox.
In the Riley’s Division 2 Belmont C who are currently lying in fifth position in the division missed the opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them by drawing with Alrewas D.  Terry Bosworth was again playing some fine snooker to beat Brian Aldridge in two competitive games.  Alrewas captain Tony Trueman reversed the role as he did well to hang on to the two frames he won despite a determined fightback by Dougie Lees.  Brian Cutting and Brian Eccleston shared their frames in a match that neither player deserved to lose.  Dave Press for Belmont took his customary frame to draw with John Hill in a close match.
Swad Cons D who are currently in the final promotion place at the moment kept up the momentum with a 6-2 win at home against bottom of the division SDSC F.  Marc Egan got them off to a fine start by taking both frames off Alex Glover in a tight match.  Dave Bodie then drew with Alex Read.  Nig Duggins was in fine form but could not take full advantage of this by drawing with Ken White.  Kieran Dadley had two good frames of snooker with Sam Hutchison with both players making some good pots but it was Kieran who took both frames.
Rolleston B lost at home to Tutbury C 5-3.  Dave Bentley and Graham Smith shared their frames with neither player being able to take full advantage when the opportunities presented themselves.  Neil Cheadle lost both frames to Gary Hall who was in the potting mood in both frames.  John Ward retrieved the situation with fine play especially his safety play in beating John Peto.  Jeff Siddalls won the match for Tutbury with some inspirational snooker in defeating Steve Atkin. 
League leaders Willington increased their lead as they beat Woodville S&S B 6-2 away. Woodville gave as good as they got in the first half of the draw being on level terms.  Ben Woodward played two good games of snooker with Steve Lane but came out of it honours even.  James Gardiner was Woodville’s top man as he took a deserved frame off Loz Kennerson with some good pots and safety play.  After the turn around it was all Willington.  Lee Cooke played well within himself as he took both frames off Luke Hudson.  Steve Harris had little trouble in beating the out of sorts Alan Shuttleworth.