Owen Jones writes for the Just Wood Premier Division.

Week 9 saw Premier division champions Burton Cons A lose their 100% start to the season, as they drew at home to Willington A. John Shilton got things underway against Gaz Barker, a mouth watering match on paper as they are without doubt two of the best players in the area. An early safety exchange ensued, with both players keeping the game tight. Barker showed what he can do with some clinical potting, and played in the same vein in the second frame to hand Shilton his first 2-0 loss of the season to put the visitors in front. Matt Milnes then played Daz Lester in two cagey frames, where Lester had his fair share of luck to draw the game and put Willington 3-1 up at the break. Owen Jones then played Willington’s captain Bill Stewart. Stewart looked to take the game to Jones and began the first frame in an attacking style. It came to no avail though as Jones’ decisive potting shone through to take both frames, aided with a 39 break to tie the scores at 3-3. This set the stage for Jonathan Fletcher to complete the comeback and pinch the match 5-3. All was going to plan as Fletcher took the first with a 46 break. However, Dean Johnson spoiled the party, pinching the second frame on the colours to leave the scores tied at 4 each.

Ashby Ivanhoe A looked to capitalize on that slip up from Burton Cons by whitewashing Belmont B, which they achieved to claw back some of the large deficit between first and second spots in the division. Andy Marriott began the match against Mick Morris. Marriott played steady snooker throughout to take the points. Ian Rennocks, the form player for Ivanhoe, then played some great stuff to beat the unfortunate Rich Goldby. Rennocks knocked in a 49 clearance to take the first frame and won the second on the final pink to put the Leicestershire side in a very strong position at the break. Daniel Blunn also gave nothing away against an out of sorts Michael Lomas to take the score to 6-0. Ant Moore completed the whitewash beating Brett Craddock to close out the match.

There was also an emphatic 7-1 win for Tutbury A at Alrewas A. Ian Hiley and Steve Hathaway both traded the opening two frames in a high quality match. Dave Mabbott took both off Carl Poulton in another very good match, one on the final black even though Poulton had a 30, and the second more comfortably. Jimbo Edwards could have secured the first against Chris Mabbott but failed and Chris took the second in style. Steve Mabbott demolished Adam “the cue-wizard” Walton with some great potting to make it a superb night for the Tutters.

Alrewas B visited Rileys A and came away with a 5-3 victory. Adam Bridges was first up against Alan Wilson in a game which both players gave nothing away and subsequently drew 1-1. Ade Harper then played Will Sherratt in two cracking frames, which saw Harper knock in a 31 break for the home side only for Sherratt to comeback with a 29 to take the second and again the scores were tied. Mick Tonks also played out a draw with John Sharpe. The decisive match on the night was Nigel Tomlinson against Phil Marklew. Marklew, who seems to have had no problem adapting to the premier division, showed what a good match player he is by taking both frames to take the 5-3 victory.

Swadlincote Snooker Centre A hosted Ivanhoe B in another close encounter. Steve Ayre began the match against Gaz Dolman, and two close frames ended honours even. Andy Goldingay could do nothing to halt the decisive play of Steve Cockerham, who won both frames including a 30 break. Chris Dewey then got the home side back into it by defeating Graham Measures to square the scores. John Davis then drew with Darren Wilson to end the match at 4-4.

The young guns Swadlincote Snooker Centre B were at it again pinching a 5-3 victory away at Willington B. John Hardy and Ben Davies had two cracking frames to start off the match and took one each. Adam Harrison then proved to be too good for Andy Jenkins, however Jenkins had very little luck throughout. Henry Thomas then put Tony Clements to the sword to put the visitors 5-1 up. Steve Gaunt gave the score some respectability by beating Pete Maguire, aided by a lovely 30 break.

Mark Vaughan writes for David Wain Insurance Division 1

Newhall Social B team hosted Burton Cons C; Mark Anslow for the home team played Burton Stalwart Jim Jennings, both players potting well but both winning the frame they should have lost. Steve Castledine just outplayed Newhall’s Carl Glover to put the away team 3-1 up. Martin Hicks pulled a frame back for Newhall but Ian Shrine held firm to take the second frame, last on for the home team was Callum Gray who played Burtons Mike Buckland. The games were marked with more good safety play than fluent potting with Mike just taking both games for an excellent 6-2 away win.

Swad Cons A also hosted a Burton Cons team, the high flying B team, the home team put Simon Mansfield on first again Dave Shipton and the game didn’t disappoint and ended in a deserved draw while on the other table Mark Hadley was clinical in taking two off Burtons Dave Plunkett. Simon Smith for Burton reversing the win in the two close games he took off Lee Wood, but man of the match went to Paul Slater for the two frames he took off the steady Tom Egginton with great potting matched with excellent safety play.

Rolleston A met another of leagues teams riding high in the league SDSC D, Ryan Gibbs for Rolleston was first up against Ryan Gilmore and they both played well to end the games in a draw, Adam Farrington went on in the other room and comfortably beat an out of sorts Andy Rice to go 3-1 up leaving a possible shock for SDSC looked on but Wayne Brewin played excellently and topped winning both frames from Tim Farrington with the nights highest break of 39, last on for the home team was Nick Farrington who could not hold David Wain to give a final score of 5-3 to the Swad side.

SDSC C put on a good showing at home to Stapenhill B winning 6-2, Simon Orpwood and Andrew Bloor taking all there frames and were ably backed up by Brian and Garton Bloor who got one a piece. John Sherriff making a 33 break in the frame he took off Brian.

Alrewas C played fellow mid table team Willington C with Lee Cooke for Willington beating Ian Bradford while Karl Hancox for Alrewas won his first frame before a brave fight back won Steve Lane another frame for Willington, Colin Wood drew the team’s level with the two he won against Willington’s Darren Harris but in the last frames Steve Butterworth took both against Alrewas’s Nigel Edwards to give the away team a 5-3 win.

Tony Coleman writes for Rileys Division 2

A very good win at home for Rolleston C who thrashed Swad Cons C 7-1 by all accounts it should have been a whitewash. In the first frame between Keiran Waddell and Pete Fearn the former miscued on the black giving the frame to Pete. That was the only bit of good fortune they had all evening. Rolleston’s Lionel Lewis was in fine potting form in the first frame knocking in a fine 33 break against Barry Bentley. In the second frame Lionel appeared to lose his way but fortunately he found it in time to win the frame. Joe Docksey was back to form as he displayed a fine array of pots against the unlucky Steve Jones. Rolleston captain Kev Norris sealed a good night for his team by winning both frames against Jon Petcher with some good long pots. This win keeps them well in contention for promotion.

A cracking match was played out between the divisions draw specialists Swad Cons D and Woodville S&S A. In what was most certainly a game of two halves the first half belonged to the Cons who went 3-1 up at the turn. Gaz Ward and Jim Marcer had two very close frames in which both players showed their qualities in both potting and safety play. The first frame went to Gaz on the pink after Jim failed to pot it and the second was even closer with Gaz winning it on the black. Bob Birch and Alan Orpwood shared their frames. In the first Alan was out of the blocks very quickly and had soon built up a good lead but Bob started to claw his way back into the frame until he missed a straight brown leaving Alan the chance to pot it which he gratefully accepted to win the frame. In the second frame Bob potted the better of the two to take the frame. After the turn round things improved for Woodville first with Pat Ryan taking his first frame fairly comfortably against Marc Egan. On the other table Tony Coleman took his first frame fairly easily off Dave Bodie with some good safety play and potting. Marc Egan came back well to take the second frame off Pat. The final frame of the night was extremely close with Tony missing the black ball over the pocket luckly it ran safe there was then a drawn out safety play until Tony potted the black for the draw. The home teams food was very good too.

Rolleston B had a fine win away to SDSC F winning 5-3. Alex Read got the home team off to a good start as he beat John Ward in two very entertaining frames in which both went down to the black. The home side won their third black ball game of the evening when Henry Carlton potted a lovely black. Dave Bentley played well in the second frame to leave Henry in trouble and a share of the spoils. Neil Cheadle Rolleston’s talisman had two well fought frames with Ken White with Neil making a 22 break to win the first but the second was any bodies with Neil potting the black. On the other table Steve Atkins all round game on the night was too strong for Ashley Beard winning both fairly easily.

A surprise defeat for the league leaders Willington D losing 6-2 at home to an in-form Alrewas D. The A38 boys were given the perfect start first with Brian Eccleston who was in stunning form in both frames where he very rarely missed a pot against the unlucky Simon Malpass who spent a lot of time watching the master craftsman at work. Not to be out done Tony Trueman then played some of his best snooker of the season as he took both frames off the very difficult Brian Alford who never gives in. Trevor Heath improved the score line a little as he shared two extremely competitive frames with Tom Smith with both players getting some good pots. Willington’s skipper Dave Budworth tried his best to win the two frames but was foiled by a worthy opponent in the shape of Dave Riley as they each took a frame. Alrewas most certainly enjoyed their trip down the A38 home.

Burton Cons D felt the full force of the Belmont boys as they lost rather heavily at home losing 7-1.
Tutbury B who are fifth in the table share the match spoils with Ivanhoe D who are third. Unfortunately there was no match information available at the current time regarding the last two matches.