2013-14: Week 26

Owen Jones writes for the Just Wood Premier Division.
The Burton and District Snooker season came to a close in the Just Wood Premier division and the top two met to end the season in style. Ashby Ivanhoe A were the hosts and Andy Marriott got them off to a great start with clinical potting against the always dangerous Matt Milnes. Marriott knocked in breaks of 75 and 55 to keep his opponent at arms length and put the home side in front. Ian Rennocks also took the first frame against John Shilton but the latter came back strongly in the second frame, knocking in a 36 to seal it and earn a draw. Antony Moore then went up against Jonathan Fletcher. Moore lost the first frame with Fletcher knocked in a 49 break. However, he battled back to claim a draw in a tight second frame. The final game saw Daniel Blunn play Owen Jones. The first frame was close up to the colours when Jones knocked in green to pink with some good long potting to clinch it. The second frame was a similar story with Jones knocking in blue and pink to seal the draw for the visitors and left Cons undefeated in the league for the entire season.
Rileys A closed out the season with another great win as they won 5-3 against Swadlincote Snooker Centre B. Ade Harper drew with Ben Davies with both players potting well. Mark Stirling knocked in breaks of 33 and 32 on the way to defeating Adam Harrison and Andy Spiers also played very well to take both frames against Henry Thomas. Pete Maguire gave the score some credibility by defeating Nigel Tomlinson.
Belmont A ended the season with a bang as they won 8-0 away to Swadlincote Snooker Centre A. Chris Dewey opened proceedings against Ian Archer. Archer proved to be too strong for Dewey on the night as he put the visitors in front. Josh Gebbie then played very well to beat John Davis and double the advantage. Mark Press then knocked in a 30 to beat Steve Ayre and finally Fran McInulty showed what he can do by knocking in a 39 on the way to completing the rout against Carl White.
Willington B were playing for pride against Alrewas A and they came away with a 6-2 victory. Andy Jenkins won the first two frames against the unfortunate Colin Kinsella and Steve Gaunt potted well to take both frames against Carl Poulton. John Hardy drew with Ian Hiley and Tony Clements closed out the match by sharing the frames with Adam Walton.
Belmont B drew their final match of the season against Willington A. Arron Vaughan lost the first frame to Dean Johnston who knocked in a long black with the rest to take it. Vaughan responded well to level the scores up. Mick Morris won the first frame easily against Jan Pawlazych, but his opponent turned the tables in the second frame as he won with plenty left on the table. Rich Goldby won two close, but good quality, frames against Bill Stewart. Brett Craddock finished the match against Daz Lester. Craddock fell well behind in the first frame but battled back to force a black ball game. Lester fluked it to take it but then played very well in the second frame to force the draw.
Alrewas B gained a convincing 7-1 victory at home to Ivanhoe B. Will Sherratt and Gaz Dolman shared their frames and that was as good as it got for the visitors. Alan Wilson and John Sharpe defeated Jerry Cook and Darren Wilson respectively to put the hosts in command. Phil Marklew closed out the match by defeating Graham Measures, aided by a 30 break.
Phil Marklew also claimed the Evershed Singles title as he defeated Adam McInulty 3-1 in the final. It has been a great first season in the top division for Marklew, who has played very well in both individual tournaments and for his team. Congratulations Phil.
Mark Vaughan writes for the David Wain Division One
Congratulations in what has been a close contest right up until the end must go to SDSC D who defeated Alrewas C 6-2 away to take the title by a clear margin, the team of Lee Sherratt, Wayne Brewin, David Wain, Ryan Gilmore, Mark Satchwell, Andy Rice, Rob Press and Danny Collins have played well all season and can look forward to premier league action next season.
Runners up are Ivanhoe C who have turned in some great performances and also make the leap to the premier league, the third promotion place was a 3 way tussle between third placed Newhall Social A, Swad Cons A and Stapenhill A. 
Swad Con had a tricky fixture away at SDSC C, Mark Hadley drew with Swad Snookers Simon Orpwood and then Swad cons Andy Grainger got the better of Garton Bloor to give Swad Cons a 3-1 lead, Andrew Bloor won his first frame against Cons Simon Mansfield with the help of a 30 break, Simon coming back to take the second frame leaving Cons Paul Slater to face floating player Mark Satchwell, this game also ended in a draw to give Swad Cons a 5-3 win and move them into the promotion spot at least for a short time.
The game of the night though was always going to be at Stapenhill where the A team lying in fourth place were playing third placed Newhall B with Newhall needing a draw to gain promotion, Newhall got two of the frames they required immediately as Adam McInulty with the help of a 31 and 32 break defeated Chris Sheldrake who never scored a point in the second frame. Stapenhill’s John Richardson levelled the match winning two hard fought frames against Mark Anslow. Carl Glover then got Newhall back on track winning his first frame against Carl Jeffcote with Carl coming back to take the second with some great potting, this left the match tied at 3-3 with two frames to play, Newhall needing one for promotion and Stapenhill wanting both, both teams had experienced players for this last game and the first frame went To Stapenhill’s Steve Ford to leave promotion hanging on the last frame, Newhall’s Martin Hicks took control of the frame leading by 22 points with 22 left on the table, Steve Ford then got a chance on the brown which he took and cleared to the black to force a re-spot to keep them in the promotion hunt, a safety battle ensued with both players keeping the black safe until Martin Hicks got the first chance of a pot and attempted it only to see the white ball go in to the pocket to give the frame, match and promotion to Stapenhill in what was the final frame of an enthralling season.
Willington C collected 9 points as opponents relegated Stapenhill B failed to show up for the fixture.Swad Cons B faced Burton Cons C, Swads Paul Hollis drawing against Jim Jennings and Bob McInulty defeating Steve Castledine to give the Swad side a half time lead, Things changed in the second half as Burton captain Ian Shrive defeated Colin Cope and Mick Buckland defeated Matt Newbold for a 5-3 Burton away win
Tony Coleman Reporting on Rileys Division 2
Congratulations to Willington D who have been Crowned the Divisions Champions after Woodville S&S A could only draw with Belmont C.  Willington won it by three points with a number of teams fighting for the promotion places.  In a very well contested and a most entertaining match between Belmont and Woodville which ended in a well deserved draw for both teams.  For Belmont Terry Bosworth and Tony Coleman shared their frames in two close games with safety play being the main part of the match.  The frame Terry dropped ruined his chance of winning the Divisional averages.  Glenn Mathews and Jim Marcer also shared the spoils in another two close frames with Glenn taking the first with some good pots and Jim winning the second.  Woodville’s Alan Orpwood his sides most consistent player had to settle for a share of the spoils with Dougie Lees.  Alan was in superb form in the first frame missing very little which included an excellent 34 break which left Dougie conceding very early on in the colours but Dougie deserved a lot of credit for coming back well to take the second frame.  The final match was also shared between Brian Cutting and Pat Ryan.  Brian’s safety play in the first frame was top notch but in the second frame Pat’s potting was at another level.  Great match, great bunch of lads.
SDSC E maintained their excellent form right to the end as they beat the wooden spoonists Swad Cons C 7-1 at the Cons.  This win ensures that SDSC get the remaining promotional slot.  Nick Harcombe has as he has so often done this season got them of to a good start winning both frames against Alan Jowett with a solid display of potting.  Ray Stretton settled SDSC’s nerves if they had any by comfortably beating Pete Fearn which included a fine 28 break.  The Cons John Griffin played very well to draw with Andy Jefferies and in the process knocked in his highest break of the season a nicely thought out 29 break.  By taking this frame he prevented the Cons from a whitewash.  Ray Bancroft who has been a model of consistency all season took both frames off Jon Petcher in a match where both players made some valuable contributions to a highly entertaining match.
Swad Cons D finished the season on a high note as they thrashed Burton Cons D 7-1 away.  Gaz Ward was back to his potting best as he easily won both frames against the never say die attitude of Paul Davis.  Andy Boam then took his two frames against Paul Brooks in a workman like fashion to put Swad 4-0 ahead at the turn.  Burton Cons most consistent player this season has been Al Munnien who got their only frame of the evening as he deservedly drew with Kieron Dadley.  Scott Gee rounded off an excellent night for Swad Cons by taking both frames against Nathan Brooks in two highly competitive frames.  How the Cons have finished off the end of season they probably wish it was just starting.
SDSC F finished the season off on a high as they beat the experienced Alrewas D 5-3.  I am sure that if the young lads at SDSC stick together for next season they will be a stronger team now that they have gained some experience from this season.  Alex Glover played some solid snooker to draw against Tony Trueman who plays a very tight safety game.  Alex Read then drew with Brian Eccleston who has not had the best of running all season.  Both players showed what good potters they can be.  Leo Worsley who looks like the find of the season for SDSC for his keen eye and potting ability that he showed when taking both frames off Dave Riley.  Matt Hazard earned his side the win as he drew with Brian Aldridge in two highly competitive frames but with neither player taking full advantage when the opportunities arose.
In a season that showed so much promise for both teams it was Rolleston C who finished higher than Tutbury B with both teams thinking they should have finished even higher.  Rolleston had a fine win at Tutbury B winning 5-3.  Rolleston finished fourth.  Lionel Lewis was back to his best for the Rolleston side taking both frames in a solid performance in beating John Peto.  John potted some good reds but was not always on a colour.  In a quality match between two of the divisions talented players Paul Atterbury of Tutbury and Joe Docksey.  This was a most entertaining two frames with both players going for the pots and most of the time they went in.  Paul just had the edge in both frames to level the half time score.  Rolleston’s most consistent player Kev Norris was again in good form as he beat Colin Bell in both frames which has not happened too often to Colin this season.  It was left to Richard O’Dell to take the winning frame for Rolleston as he drew with Jeff Siddalls in two quality frames.
Ivanhoe’s Mr Dance aka Warner Collins missed his teams final game of the season as he was trying out a new dance routine in preparation for the forth coming Presentation evening this Friday.  I have it on good authority it will be a show stopper – Bruce beware!