Owen Jones writes for Just Wood Premier division

Champions Burton Cons A took the victory against Swadlincote Snooker Centre A, but it was the visitor’s Andy Goldingay that left with all the plaudits after knocking in a great 86 break on the way to defeating Matt Milnes. John Shilton put in a steady performance on the other table to take both frames and level the scores against John Davis. Owen Jones then played the visitor’s captain Chris Dewey. Jones was in fine form and took the first frame in three visits scoring 40, 35 and 24. There was no relenting in the second as he knocked in a 42 and a 22 to put the home side in front. Finally, Darren Coady hosted Steve Ayre with the away side player needing to take the frames to force a draw. However, it was Coady who potted well in both frames to seal a 6-2 for the home side.

Willington A took on Tutbury A in what looked to be a great match on paper. Wayne Pereira opened proceedings against Chris Mabbott and it was Mabbott who clinched two scrappy frames to put the away side ahead. The other Mabbott brothers, Dave and Steve, then put the match out of reach for Willington as they defeated Bill Stewart and Alan Davies. Gaz Barker halted the whitewash by beating the unlucky Steve Hathaway to leave the score at 6-2 to the visitors.

Belmont A picked up a good 5-3 victory at Swadlincote Snooker Centre B. Henry Thomas got the match underway against Josh Gebbie. Gebbie showed what a good player he is developing into by taking both frames to give the Belmont side the early advantage. Another young talent Harry Farrell then put one of the league’s best players to the sword as he defeated Ian Archer aided by a 32 break. Back came Belmont with Fran Mcinulty taking both frames against Ben Davies aided by a 34 break. Adam Harrison and Mark Press closed out the match by taking a frame each.

The Alrewas derby ended with the A team pinching a 5-3 victory. Will Sherratt drew with Ian Hiley and Alan Wilson drew with Colin Kinsella to see the scores level at the half way stage. Phil Marklew then also played out a draw with Carl Poulton, who knocked in a 28 break to take his frame. Marklew responded by knocking in a 32 to level it up. Dave Trueman made the decisive move by beating John Sharpe to take the victory.

Rileys A picked up a rare victory by defeating Willington B. Nigel Tomlinson and Mark Stirling did the damage by defeating Brian Burgh and Steve Gaunt respectively. Andy Spiers drew with John Hardy and Ade Harper knocked in a 31 in taking a frame from Tony Clements to give the home side a much needed victory.

In another derby on the night, Ashby Ivanhoe A defeated the B team in a close encounter. Daniel Blunn took the decisive win against Gaz Dolman with all other matches ending all square. Ian Rennocks drew with Steve Cockerham, Mick Kirk drew with Graham Measures and Ant Moore drew with Darren Wilson.

Mark Vaughan writes for David Wain Insurance Division One

Burton Cons B have been due a good result for a few weeks now and got one this week at the expense of Swad cons B with a great 8-0 win away from home, Bob McInulty for Swad Cons took on Jason anguish in an open game with both players potting well, Jason winning the first game on the brown. The second was similar, Jason saw himself build a 28 lead however bob made it difficult for Jason who only won by taking the blue. Swads Ross Hollis played the solid David Plunkett and in two more open well contested games Dave went 35 in front and then cleared to the pink to take the first, the second game was similar but much closer, Dave winning on the pink. Colin cope played Burtons inform player Simon smith and Simon played well to take two off an out of sorts Colin. Paul Hollis for Swad Cons ended the match against Tom Egginton which was probably the best game of the night, Paul had some bad luck on two occasions going in off after great pots via other balls, Tom came back with a hard fought 24 break and eventually took the first on the colours. The second game saw tom go 35 in front with only 22 on the table Paul got some great snookers but it was too much to pull back giving the Burton side a great win which puts Swad Cons in to the relegation places.

South Derbyshire Snooker Centre D team the current leaders in division one, this week hosted Swad Cons A who occupy one of the promotion places, the clash got off with arguably both teams best players facing each other Wayne Brewin for SDSC and Andy Grainger for the cons team, Wayne took immediate control of the first frame and made a decent 34 break which helped take the frame, some good snooker followed but it was the snooker centre man who took the second as well, on the other table Swad Snookers Ryan Gilmore who has also been in great form faced Mark Hadley, the game lived up to expectations with great potting and safety and ended in a draw, the usually steady Lee Sherratt then went on against Cons Simon Mansfield and it was the cons man who came from behind with the help of a 29 break to take the first and did the same in the second to level the match going in to the last frames between Andy Rice and cons Paul Slater, after two hard fought frames they could not be separated and took a frame each for the team draw keeping SDSC on top of the league.

Newhall B refuse to give up the promotion challenge and faced yet another side chasing promotion in the shape of South Derbyshire Snooker Centre C, the game got off with Newhall’s Adam McInulty taking on Mark Satchwell, Adam took the first frame making a decent 33 break and then continued in the same vane making the divisions highest break this week with a 54, which could have been more no thanks to a kick ruining his position and leaving him with no shot to take while on the other table Swads Simon Orpwood played two great games against Mark Anslow to level the scores, Newhall then sent out Martin Hicks who played Brian Bloor and Carl Glover against Garton Bloor with the Newhall lads winning all 4 frames to dent SDSC C title challenge but keeps Newhall in third and on course for promotion.

A Stapenhill derby match was played between the clubs A and B teams and turned out to be a great contest, the A teams Steve Ford played Bryan Sherratt and won two frames with breaks of 36 and 32, Bryan came back with a 25 which was not quite enough to take a frame. The A teams John Richardson played some excellent snooker to beat Greg Britton to make it 4-0 halfway, the B teams John Sherriff and Tim Knopik pulled back two frames to give them hopes of a comeback but this was not to be as The A teams Carl Jeffcote and Chris Sheldrake came back to give the A team a solid 6-2 victory which with the game in hand they have could give them a chance of promotion.

Willington C and Ivanhoe C played out a draw.

Tony Coleman Reporting on Rileys Division 2

Ivanhoe D have had an excellent week. It began with them winning the President’s Division Cup Final where they had a good victory at home to Woodville S&S A winning 3-1. Back in the league they put in another fine display as they beat the current league leaders Willington D 5-3 this was the leaders third defeat of the season. Tim Bale for Ivanhoe played some very good snooker as he drew with Dave Budworth who is near the top of the Division’s averages and by all accounts he was unlucky not to take both losing the second on the black. On the other table ‘Mr Sequence Dancer Extraordinaire’ Warren Collins waltzed off with the first frame against Trevor Heath and in the second frame it was role reversal with Trevor taking it. The second half of the draw saw Ivanhoe put pressure on the leaders with Jason Collins who has been playing some first rate snooker this season saw him take both frames against the unfortunate Bill Davidson who had no answer to Jason’s long potting. Barry Fieldsend got the teams winning frame with some quality potting and a share of the spoils with Brian Alford.

In the battle between the fourth and fifth placed teams SDSC E and Belmont C respectively it was Belmont C who ran out worthy winners winning 6-2. The match got off to a even start with Terry Bosworth for Belmont who has been in fine form this season who took both frames off Ray Bancroft fairly comfortably. This was then levelled up thanks to Nick Harcombe edging out Glen Mathews with Nick having a little bit of good running in both frames. Although Nick did knock in a 24 break to win his first frame. Belmont’s player of the night was undoubtedly Brian Cutting who played two excellent frames of snooker both with his potting and safety play which lead to a most frustrating evening for Andy Jefferies who lost both frames. Dave Press got the winning frame as he beat Ray Stretton in two extremely tight frames with Dave taking both on the black. This win keeps them handily placed in the promotion race.

Rolleston B had a fine home win as they beat Alrewas D 5-3. Steve Atkin and Dave Riley had to settle for a frame each with both players getting some fine pots. Rolleston’s skipper John Ward put his side in a good place in winning both frames against John Hill who does not lose many frames over a season but tonight John was a little too hot for him. This put Rolleston 3-1 ahead at the turn. Neil Cheadle was again his normal consistent self as he played some steady snooker to beat Tony Trueman and the win for Rolleston as Dave Bentley lost frames in a scrappy match to Tom Smith.

SDSC F seem to be on a bit of a roll as they won for the second week running this time against fellow strugglers Swad Cons C winning 5-3. Alex Read got the ball rolling for SDSC with a competent display against Barry Bentley taking both frames with both players making some valuable contributions to the match. Alex Glover continued the good work beating John Griffin in a highly entertaining match. For the Cons Pete Fearn added some respectability to the score line as he beat Ashley Beard with probably his best display of the season. Jon Petcher made Henry Carlton fight really hard to get the one frame they needed for victory as they ended the match honours even.
Tutbury B had an excellent home win as they thrashed Burton Cons D 7-1. The Tutbury boys were given a dream start thanks Paul Atterbury taking both frames off the unlucky Paul Brookes who did very little wrong it was just that Paul was on fire. John Peto probably played his best snooker this season as he put the home team in a commanding position with a cracking display of potting to easily beat Nathan Brookes. For the Cons it was left to Ian Protheroe to prevent the dreaded whitewash as he shared the frames with Colin Bell with both players playing some good snooker. Jeff Siddalls kept his good run of form on track winning two close frames with Al Munnien.

Second in the table Rolleston C had to settle for a draw against one of the draw specialists Swad Cons C. It was a very tight match all through the game with neither side being able to get a player to win two frames. Richard O’Dell drew with Dave Bodie who has been having a bit of a lean time this season. Lionel Lewis did well to get a share of the spoils against the in-form Scott Gee. Joe Docksey did not have everything going his way as he shared the frames with Marc Egan. In another tight struggle between Kev Norris and Bob Birch neither player was able to take the opportunities when they arose hence another drawn game. This result keeps them three points ahead of the third placed team SDSC E.

This division is extremely tight as only eight points separate the second position to the seventh position.