2012-13: Week 25

As the snooker season is rapidly coming to an end two more snooker finals were played this week.  In the Jason Hyde final Phil Marklew who is the current holder of this trophy who plays in the David Wain Insurance Division made a remarkable comeback against Mark Press who plays for Newhall in the Premier Division and was 40 points down and losing 2-0 in frames but managed to pull it back to win 3-2.

The other final was the Arthur Edwards Doubles between Ian Archer/Shaun Gebbie and Mat Milnes/Mick Simpkins.  This was a very tight match with all four players making telling contributions.  Mat and Mick won 3-2 in all the frames apart from the last one where there was at least a 30 break made.  In the third frame a masterful clearance by the in-form Ian Archer of 75 which was a joy to watch.

In the Just Wood Premier Division Burton Cons A retained their title with a game to spare as they beat Newhall A 5-3 who are the runners up.  The Cons did not start off too well with both Mat Milnes and Jonathan Fletcher losing their first frames to Mark Satchwell and Adam McInulty respectively.  Mark made a good 31 break to win the first frame.  Mat won the second frame with something to spare which included a fine 42 break.  He also potted an excellent yellow to clear all the colours.  Jonathan also won his frame in style.  Stuart Roberts and Fran McInulty drew their match with Fran potting well in the first frame to win it.  Stuart came back well in the second to take it with reds still left on the table.  Owen Jones completed a bad week for Mark Press as he dominated both frames to earn the Cons Premier title.  Big ‘O’ knocked in two quality breaks of 28 and 47.  This win confirms that they are the best team in the league.  This is their sixth consecutive title win and I think it must be a record for consecutive wins that may never be beaten.  It was a highly competitive match but played out in the right spirit and both teams are a credit to the league.

Belmont B ended Ivanhoe A’s slim chance of taking the runners up slot as they won 6-2.  This win for Belmont shows that on their day they can be a match for anyone as they dominated the match from the start.  Belmont went in at the half way stage 3-1 ahead thanks to a revitalised Michael Lomas who played very well to take both frames off Michael Kirk.  Mark Vaughan who is back in the side and playing well drew with the talented Daniel Blunn. Mark made some good pots in making a 32 break to win his frame.  Ian Rennocks for Ivanhoe made a great 41 clearance to take the first frame against Arron Vaughan.  Arron came back well to take the second with some fine potting.  Miffa Smith was in devastating potting mood as he beat a shell shocked Antony Moore to secure their position in the Premier division for another season.

Relegated SDSC A drew with Rileys A in a match they felt they should have won.  Simon Orpwood not for the first time was in awesome form as he easily won both frames at a canter when he made breaks of 59 and 38 to win his frames against Mark Stirling.  Micky Tonks the Riley’s captain played well to beat Brian Bloor despite Brian making a solid 27 break.  Micky knocked in a 35 to take one of his frames.  Andrew Bloor and Ady Harper deservedly drew their games with neither player being able to make the most of the chances when they arose.  Garton Bloor tried his best to win both frames against a gritty performance by Andy Spiers but in the end had to settle for a draw.

Ivanhoe C lost at home to SDSC A 5-3 but it was a very close run thing as they only won it on the last frame.  Gaz Dolman for the Ivanhoe started things off well as he won both frames in a tight match with Steve Ayre.  John Davis then pulled SDSC back into the match with a steady display to comfortably beat George Cawkwell.  Graham Measures and Andy Goldingay shared their frames in a rather scrappy match.  Chris Dewey was SDSC’s top man with a fine display against Steve Cockerham winning both frames to earn his side a hard fought victory.

Willington A lost at home to Belmont A 5-3 which still leaves them as relegation candidates.  Jan Pawlazych and Shaun Gebbie drew in a couple of close but scrappy frames.  Bill Stewart and Graham Bailey shared two entertaining frames with neither player able to make the most of the chances when they occurred.  In another drawn match this time between Wayne Piera and the talented Josh Gebbie who made a fine 32 break to win his frame.  Belmont’s ‘Mr Dependable’ Ian Archer yet again got the two frames they required for the win with another solid display in beating Dean Johnson with Sturmy knocking in a quick 29 break.  Dean also contributed to the match with some fine pots.

In the David Wain Insurance Division 1 Willington C did themselves a big favour as they beat fellow relegation threatened Rolleston A 6-2.  This win for Willington makes it extremely difficult to predict who is going to be relegated apart from Woodville S&S A.  Dave Budworth who is Willington’s most consistent player drew two close frames with Rob Sanders with the score line being just about right.  Bill Davidson and Kev Norris shared two very safety conscious frames.  Trevor Heath who is just finding a little bit of form of late played two steady frames of snooker to beat Keiron Waddle.  Just to round off a good evening for the Power boys Mick Ganley took two fairly comfortable frames off Paul Clarke.

Woodville S&S A are the first team to be relegated from this division as they lost 5-3 away to SDSC D.  Danny Collins was their star player as he was the only player to win both frames all night in beating Tony Coleman.  Danny played steady snooker in both frames although he was fortunate to win the first as Tony missed a simple black over the middle bag.  Lee Sherratt and Jim Marcer shared two competitive frames.  Lee seemed to be in control of the first frame after a 30 plus break but after a series of unlucky in-offs let Jim back into the game and with some good pots on the colours Jim nicked it.  The second frame went to Lee as he was the more dominate potter.  Andy Rice and Alan Orpwood who over the last few seasons always appear to be drawn against each other.  Alan in the first frame made the most of the opportunties by potting some lovely balls but in the second Andy became more positive to take the frame.  The quickest two frames of the night was between David Wain and Pat Ryan.  Pat won the first frame on the black after David clawed his way back into the frame.  The second frame was won by David who had that little bit of good running.

Rileys B are right in the relegation mire as they lost at home to current league leaders SDSC C 5-3.  SDSC who are promoted and are favourites to be crowned Champions got off to the perfect start thanks first to Adam Harrison who had two good frames against Gary Mayne with both players making some fine pots and Adam just edging out Gary in both frames which included a 30 break by Adam.  Henry Tomas managed to beat Adam Farrington in two close but messy frames.  Paul Fox got Rileys on the score board with two entertaining frames against Ben Davies with a solid display.  Ryan Gibbs could only draw with Harry Farrell with neither being able to press home their advantage.  The one frame Harry got was sufficient for the win.

Burton Cons C had a fine win against fourth placed Stapenhill A as they won 6-2.  The wily old fox Jim Jennings played a fine mixture of pots and safety play to take both frames against Tim Knopik.  The Cons master potter Mick Buckland was held to a creditable draw by Chris Sheldrake who has had a good first season back.  Steve Castledine with the help of a little good running plus some fine potting took both frames off John Sheriff.  Ian Shrive drew with Carlos Jeffcoate in a match which Carlos did not have the best of luck.

Stapenhill B’s defeat by Alrewas A 5-3 leaves them wondering which division they will be playing their snooker in next season.  John Richardson and Carlos Poulton drew in two competitive frames of snooker.  Carlos took the last red and up to the blue to take his frame whilst John had a mixture of little breaks to win his.  Ian Hiley was in fine form in both frames and playing some good pots and safety play as he won both frames fairly comfortably which included a 38 break against Colin Britton.  Stan Piechowicz showed off some of his snooker ability as he took both frames off an out-of-sorts Dave Trueman.  I believe the only thing Dave sank all night was a Carling!  Colin Kinsella for the Raptors took star billing for them this week with a cracking display of potting against Greg Britton winning both frames in style which included breaks of 34 and 53.  Both Alrewas A and SDSC C should do well in the Premier division next season with the quality of players they have in their teams.

In the Rileys Division 2 Alrewas C blew their chance of being Champions as they got thrashed at home by Swad Cons D who are most likely to miss out on promotion even though they won 7-1.  Gaz Ward got the ball rolling for the Cons as he took both frames off Rob McMeecham which included a good 27 break.  Alrewas’ captain Colin Wood could not get the better of the ‘Bodie Man’ as Dave was playing some of his best snooker for quite a while with some good potting and safety play to take both frames.  Karl Hancox for once was not able to rescue his team as he drew with Marc Egan.  Although Karl did make the second highest break in the division of 64 which was full of quality potting.  Kieran Dadley made it a good night for the Cons with a solid display to beat Gary Bowers.

A good away win by Willington D means that they are crowned Champions of the division irrespective of what Alrewas have done.  They beat Rolleston B in fine style winning 7-1.  Darren Harris played some very attacking snooker as he comfortably won both frames against Aaron Doyle.  Willington’s new boy Tom Richardson performed well to draw with Neil Cheadle with both players failing to take frame winning chances.  Steve Butterworth got the match winning frames with a stylish display of potting in beating Steve Atkin.  Just to put the icing on the cake for Willington Lee Cooke showed off his potting talents as he beat the out-of-sorts Dave Bentley.

Swad Cons C struggled to overcome a very determined and unlucky Burton Cons D as they won 5-3.  This win means that they are promoted and are favourites for the runners up slot after Alrewas’ surprise defeat.  Mat Newbold and Nathan Brooks shared their frames with good potting by both players. Colin Cope and Ian Protheroe shared the spoils after a fine display by both players.  Bob Birch had to use all of his experience to earn a draw against Al Munnien.  Captain Craig Wilson saved the Cons bacon as he won both frames in a tight and tense struggle with Paul Brooks.

Belmont C put in a fine away performance as they beat one of the current form teams Tutbury C 6-2.  Terry Bosworth for Belmont again led the way in beating a very much in-form Graham Smith with a solid display which included a well worked 30 break.  Master craftsman Dougie Lees carved out the openings which led to a number of small breaks for him to put his side 4-0 ahead at the turn beating Mark Storr.  Brian Cutting did well in taking a frame off John Peto.  Jeff Siddall for Tutbury started off well against Dave Press making some nice pots in a 29 break which helped him take the first frame.  Dave took the tight second frame securing a fine result for Belmont.

The rapidly improving SDSC E managed an 8-0 whitewash of Woodville S&S B.  Nick Harcombe continued his good form in taking both frames in a very efficient manner to beat Richard Taylor.  Ray Bancroft did well to take both frames against Jim Gardner who has not lost many matches this season. Andy Jefferies with a solid performance won both frames fairly comfortably in winning against Terry Eyley.  Tony Mitchell displayed a fine array of potting in beating Alan Shuttleworth for an excellent result for his team.