2013-14: Week 5

Owen Jones reports on Just Wood Premier Division

Week 5 of the Burton and District Snooker league saw Premier league title holders Burton Cons A open up a ten point lead on their nearest rivals Willington A. The Willington side climbed up to second place with a 7-1 win in their derby match with the Willington B team. Alan Davies opened proceedings taking both frames in his game with Tony Clements. Daz Lester then defeated Steve Gaunt to put the A team in the driving seat. Andy Jenkins clawed a frame back for the B team with a hard fought draw against Bill Stewart. Stewart compiled a nice 35 break to win his frame. Wayne Pererra completed the victory, beating Jon Hardy.

Burton Cons A won 7-1 at Ivanhoe B. Gaz Dolman started the match against in form Jonathan Fletcher. The first frame could have gone either way but Fletcher pinched it on the final colours. The second frame was more clear cut and opened up a 2-0 lead for the away side. Two players boasting 100% records then went head to head with Steve Cockerham playing Owen Jones. Jones potted well in the first frame, knocking in a 36 break. The second frame could have gone either way with Jones also producing a 30 break at the start of the frame to take control. However, Cockerham came back strongly to clear from the final red up to the pink to snatch the frame and the game finished honours even. Graham Measures was then defeated by Mat Milnes who potted well in both frames to claim the victory. Finally, Darren Coady played solid snooker, including a 33 break, to beat Jerry Cook.

Alrewas A played out a draw with Rileys A. James Edwards and Mick Tonks battled out a draw in a game that was described as ‘quite slow’. Ian Hiley knocked in a 41 break in his draw with Ade Harper. Colin Kinsella also played out a draw with Riley’s captain Mark Stirling. The match finished with Carl Poulton playing Tom Elliot. Elliot took the first by more than 50 points but back came Poulton in the second to win by 60 and the match ended all square.

Belmont A hosted Belmont B in what turned out to be a victory for the A team. Ian Archer opened up against Brett Craddock winning both of his frames which included a lovely 50 break. Mark Press also took both of his frames against Mick Morris to give the A team a strong lead at the half way point. Rich Goldby won his first frame against Fran McInulty, but the former Newhall player came back to pinch a draw. Graham Bailey finished off the match with a draw against the talented Michael Lomas to hand a 6-2 win to the away side.

Swad Snooker Centre A hosted Alrewas B in another tight match on the night. Steve Ayre got the home side off to a great start by winning both frames against John Sharpe. Andy Goldingay then made a draw with Will Sherratt to put the home side in the driving seat. Back came Alrewas though, with the talented Phil Marklew knocking in a 33 break to defeat the home side’s captain Chris Dewey. John Davis then drew with Alan Wilson to end the match honours even.

The Tutbury Tutters won a close match against Swad Snooker Centre B 5-3. Dave Mabbott and Steve Mabbott drew with Adam Harrison and Ben Davis respectively. Harrison winning his frame from seventeen down with only blue, pink and black remaining. Chris Mabbott did the damage for the home side claiming both frames against Henry Thomas. Steve Hathaway closed the match drawing with Pete Maguire.

Tony Coleman reports on Rileys Division 2.

After last week’s Presidents Cup all the teams are back playing league snooker.  In the top of the table clash between Willington D and SDSC E it was the boys from Swadlincote who had the more enjoyable journey home as they beat the previously high scoring and unbeaten Willington 5-3.  Trevor Heath and Tony Mitchell shared their frames in a most entertaining game with both players making some good pots.  SDSC’s talented Nick Harcombe was the difference between the two sides as he took both frames in a rather tactical match against Bill Davidson.  Brian Alford and Ray Bancroft drew in a battle of attrition.  Ray is playing extremely well this season.  Andy Jefferies getting the draw with Simon Malpass giving a well deserved win to SDSC.  Andy’s draw was helped by a 23 break.  Despite this defeat Willington still top the division.

Another side to lose its unbeaten record was Woodville S&S A who lost at home to Rolleston C 6-2.  Jim Marcer who had not dropped a frame so far this season again looked in fine form playing Joe Docksey as he needed only a colour to win the first frame but Joe came back with some superb pots and managed to pot the black after some safety play to nick it.  With Joe full of confidence and playing some fine snooker Jim conceded on the green.  Alan Orpwood and Lionel Lewis shared their frames with Lionel winning the first and Alan although not firing on all cylinders did well to take the second.  Kev Norris for Rolleston was in great potting form in both frames against Pat Ryan.  In the first frame he missed very little but Pat showed real determination to win the second on the pink.  Tony Coleman lost to Richard O’Dell in two drawn out frames.  Richard with the better potting and safety play won both on the pink.  Rolleston now appear to have a more settled side and are now fourth in the division.

Tutbury B have finally got their season up and running with their first win of the season at SDSC F’s expense with an excellent 7-1 away win.  For Tutbury Graham Smith got the ball rolling with a solid performance in taking both frames against Ken White.  Paul Atterbury drew with Alex Read in a couple of tight frames.  This put Tutbury 3-1 ahead at the turn.  Colin Bell did a fine job in taking both frames against Ashley Beard who did not have the best of running in this match.  Jeff Siddalls with his two frames against Alex Glover made it a good night for the Tutbury lads.

In the local inter club derby between Swad Cons C and D teams it was the D team who have got the bragging rights as they scrapped home 5-3.  The D team where given a good start by Gaz Ward as he won both frames against John ‘double blank’ Cleary who was playing his first match for the club.  Gaz played very well and made the highest break in the division this week of 36.  John Griffin for the C team got the scores level with a solid performance with some great safety to defeat Dave Bodie.  Scott Gee did not hang around in taking his two frames fairly comfortably off Steve Jones.  Andy Boam got the one frame the D team required as he drew with Jon Petcher in two most entertaining frames of snooker.

Alrewas D lost at home to Ivanhoe D 5-3.  This win keeps them in third place.  Ivanhoe got off to a perfect start thanks Jason Collins who hardly missed a pot all evening in taking the two frames against Brian Aldridge.  Jason was ably backed up by Tim Bale who had to play well to prise the two frames off Brian Eccleston.  Alrewas almost made the perfect comeback but lost out on the last frame.  John Hill started the fight back with some very good safety play against the wily Warner Collins as he won both frames.  Unfortunately Tom Smith could only draw with Jack Bale in two nail biting frames.

Burton Cons D who are having a good season so far kept up the good work as they beat Rolleston B 5-3.  Paul Brooks had two cracking frames with Steve Atkin with both players getting some good pots.  Nathan Brooks and Dave Bentley deservedly drew their game.  Another quality match was between Ian Protheroe and Neil Cheadle which ended honours even.  Al Munnien was the Cons star player as he won both frames in a rather close match with John Ward.