2013-14: Week 21

Owen Jones writes for the Just Wood Premier Division.
Belmont A kept up the pressure on Ivanhoe A in the Burton and District Snooker premier division as they claimed an impressive 7-1 victory over Ivanhoe B. Shaun Gebbie was up first against Darren Wilson. Gebbie had the edge in both frames to take the points and put the home side in front. Talisman Ian Archer then potted decisively to double the lead by defeating Steve Cockerham. Graham Bailey shared the frames with opponent Graham Measures and Fran McInulty completed the victory by beating Jerry Cook.
Ivanhoe A are now only a point in front of Belmont A in second place as they slipped to a 5-3 home defeat against South Derbyshire Snooker Centre B. Daniel Blunn pinched a frame from young starlet Harry Farrell and Ian Rennocks came out second best to Adam Harrison, as he knocked in a 37 break to put the visitors 3-1 up at the break. Ivan Birkin then drew with Henry Thomas, with Thomas knocking in a 33 break in taking his frame. Ant Moore seemed to be on good form as he knocked in breaks of 34 and 28 in taking the first frame against Ben Davies. However, Davies potted well in the second to win the all important frame that sealed the victory.
Burton Cons A had a game of two halves against Alrewas B. Matt Milnes was in no mood for messing around as he dispatched Will Sherratt with breaks of 30, 36, 38 and a lovely 69 clearance. Owen Jones then defeated Alan Wilson with a string of 20+ breaks and a 38 to put the champions 4-0 up in double quick time. The other table had only completed one frame by this stage, which was won by John Sharpe against Stuart Roberts. Roberts came back strongly in the second frame to take a draw. Darren Coady then went up against Phil Marklew and it was Marklew who took the frames with some excellent potting and positional play to leave the final score at 5-3 to the home side.
Rileys A picked up a vital 5-3 victory against Belmont B to aid their attempt to pull away from the relegation zone. Ade Harper was first up against Arron Vaughan with both players taking a frame each. Michael Lomas made a welcome return to the Belmont side and took both frames against an unfortunate Tom Elliott. The second half of the match was all Rileys as Andy Spiers defeated Rich Goldby, aided by a 32 break and Mark Stirling beat Brett Craddock to complete the much needed victory.
Alrewas A hosted Willington A and it was the visitors who took the victory by a 6-2 score line. Colin Kinsella and Carl Poulton drew with Daz Lester and Alan Davies respectively to leave the scores level at the break. Willington then took control as Wayne Pereira dispatched Ian Hiley and Gaz Barker defeated Adam Walton to claim the victory and keep alive their hopes of finishing in the runners up spot.
South Derbyshire Snooker Centre A pinched an impressive 5-3 victory against Tutbury A. John Davis took the frames against Dave Powell, but Tutbury responded immediately as Chris Mabbott out potted Chris Dewey to level the match. Andy Goldingay continued his fine season by beating Steve Hathaway and finally Steve Ayre drew with Dave Mabbott. Mabbott knocked in a 36 break to take his frame but it was to no avail as the win went to the home side.
Mark Vaughan writes for David Wain Insurance Division One
Division’s dark horses defeat league leaders. Stapenhill A showed what a great side they are on their night by defeating league leaders SDSC D 6-2 and throwing the division wide open, Chris Sheldrake beat Swad’s Ryan Gilmore and was matched by John Richardson beating Dave Wain with the help of a 40 break.  Carl Jeffcote carried on the theme defeating Andy Rice in an even contest even though Andy knocked in a 31 break, Swad’s Lee Sherratt got some pride back for the Swad team outplaying Steve Ford to give his team something to cheer about. 
Swad Cons A had another good home result beating Stapenhill B who are now five points from safety. The home teams Mark Hadley and Lee Wood won all their frames as did Stapenhill’s Andy Tomlinson, Andy Grainger getting the winning frame.
Alrewas C did their survival hopes a world of good by defeating Swad Cons B moving themselves seven points clear of relegation, Jim Chambers made a welcome return to the Alrewas team and defeated Matt Newbold, Rob Mcmeechan drew two drawn out frames with Swads Vince Draper, Colin Wood went down to Swad’s ever improving Paul Hollis who has played well this season and again played solidly, the last match between Karl Hancox and Colin Cope showcased some great potting from both players, Karl taking the first comfortably. The second was a different affair  with Colin potting well to get himself into a 21 point lead with only 22 points on the table although Colin did nothing wrong  Karl got down and cleared the table to take the frame and win the match 5 – 3.
 
Ivanhoe C have got themselves back into contention with another good win this time against Burton Cons C making them joint division leaders, the match started with Bren Mattley defeating Jim Jennings in two close frames while on the other table Ashby’s Stu Tagg was beaten by the talented Mick Buckland,  Ashby’s Jason Pickering drew with Burton Captain Ian Shrive to leave the match hanging on the last games between John Skellett and Burton’s Steve Castledine both games were close but it was the Ashby man who won both to win the match 5 -3.
Newhall B is another side capable of putting together a run in the chase for promotion and did themselves no harm by defeating Willington C 7-1 at home, Carl Glover started for Newhall against Loz Kennerson and after some excellent safety exchanges won the first on the pink then opened up a lead in the second taking it with a 25 break, Newhall’s Martin Hicks also won two from Daz Harris. Willington’s Steve Lane slowed Newhall’s charge down winning the first frame from Callum Gray who then came back to take the second with breaks of 30 and 28 this was backed up by Adam McInulty’s solid play coupled with excellent potting in beating Steve Butterworth.
Tony Coleman Reporting on Rileys Division 2
Willington D are still well placed at the top despite a well deserved draw for Belmont.  This result still keeps Belmont well in touch with the promotion pack.  Brian Alford and Dougie Lees shared their frames in a rather long drawn out match with both players failing to make the most of the opportunities when they arose.  Belmont’s Brian Cutting did very well to share the frames with Dave Budworth who has not dropped many frames this season.  In the frame that Brian won he missed very little and his safety play was top notch.  Dave stepped up a gear as he easily won his frame.  Match of the evening was between Trevor ‘hot shot’ Heath and Terry Bosworth with both players sitting high up in the averages.  A quality match was expected and they were not disappointed with both players showing off their talents with some superb potting and safety play with Trevor just having the edge on the night as he won both frames.  Glen Matthews certainly did his best for the team as he took two close frames off Bill Davidson to earn Belmont a well deserved draw.
Woodville S&S A had another good win at SDSC F winning 6-2 with the win just keeping them ahead of the chasing group.  Woodville were given the perfect start thanks firstly to Jim Marcer who won a tight first frame against Leo Worsley who made some nice pots and got some good snookers but Jim’s experience pulled him through.  The second frame the ‘Master Cueman’ won it a little more comfortably.  Alan Orpwood who is in tremendous form at the moment won both of his frames fairly comfortably against the unfortunate Ashley Beard.  Alan did not appear to miss anything on the night.  This cracking start continued in the next two frames.  Firstly Pat Ryan who was potting everything that was put in front of him as he was potting some great balls against Matt Hazzard.  Tony Coleman won his first frame against Alex Glover.  The last two frames went to the SDSC boys with Alex winning on the black with a nice pot to the black right hand pocket.  Matt came back well to win the final frame of the night by potting green to pink.  SDSC F have got a great bunch guys who appear to enjoy their snooker and with a little bit more experience will become fine snooker players in the future.
 
SDSC E had a very good away win at fellow promotion rivals Tutbury B where they won 5-3 keepng the pressure on second placed Woodville.  Nick Harcombe and Paul Atterbury had two very close frames with both players deservedly sharing the spoils.  Nick managed to knock in a tidy 26 break to win his frame.  Ray Stretton was SDSC’s star man as he managed to take both frames off the ex Premier League player Colin Bell who has a had a fine season so far.  Both frames were keenly contested with Ray just having the edge in the potting department.  John Peto had to settle for a draw in another close match with Ray Bancroft which ended with honours even.  Andy Jefferies got the one frame SDSC needed for victory as he drew with Jeff Siddalls in a very open two frames with both players playing some excellent safety as well as getting some fine pots.
Rolleston C got back to winning ways with an empathetic win against their B team as they won 7-1.  Joe Docksey got them off to a great start as he took both frames off Steve Atkin with a solid performance with both players knocking in some fine pots.  Things just got better for the Rollestonites as a resurgent Lionel Lewis won both frames fairly comfortably against David Bentley.  John Ward the B team captain was really pleased to take a frame off Richard O’Dell which prevented the whitewash.  John took the first frame with a good mix of safety play and potting but in the second frame Richard played very well to easily win it.  Kev Norris put the icing on the cake as he beat Neil Cheadle in probably the best two frames of the evening with both players in good form.  This excellent win keeps them well placed in the promotion battle.
The talented but inconsistent Burton Cons D had a very good home draw against one of the promotion seeking teams Ivanhoe D.  The Cons always seem to raise their game against the higher placed sides.  Al Munnien who was back in the team this week did well to take a frame off the highly talented Jason Collins who is pretty high in the divisions averages.  This side seems a lot stronger when Al is in the team.  Both players made some valuable contributions to a most entertaining match.  Another entertaining match was played out on the other table between Ian Protheroe and Tim Bale with a share of the spoils being a fair result.  Paul Brooks put the home side in front as he took both frames against Eric Avins in two very tight games.   There is no stopping ‘old twinkle toes’ Warner Collins as he once again came to Ivanhoe’s rescue as he won both frames with style in a quality match with the talented Nathan Brooks earning his side a hard fought draw. It has been another good week for Warner as he has just qualified for the area finals of the over 70’s dancing competition.
Alrewas D swapped places with Swad Cons D in the middle of the table battle winning 5-3 at the Cons.  The Cons ‘Mr Consistent’ and break builder Gaz Ward was again in fine form as he put his side in the lead with two cracking frames of snooker as he comfortably took both frames off Brian Aldridge with a lovely potting display which included the highest break of the week for the division which was 39.  Brian Eccleston then put the A38 boys level as he won both frames in two keenly contested frames with Dave Bodie.  Tony Trueman again showed off his potting and safety talents with a classy display to beat a frustrated Andy Boam.  Dave Riley and Bob Birch played some good snooker between them and the game finished honours even.  The one frame that Dave won was sufficient for the Alrewas win.