Only two matches could be decided by the odd frame in week 10 in the Premier Division of the Burton and District Snooker League as all other matches were tied. Ivanhoe A were looking to put pressure on leaders Burton Cons A as they had a rest week, but could only manage a 5-3 victory in their derby match against Ivanhoe B. Ian Rennocks was the only player on the night to pick up both frames as he defeated Bren Mattley. Mick Kirk, Ant Moore and Daniel Blunn drew against Ivan Birkin, Jason Pickering and John Skellett respectively in what turned out to be a tight encounter.

Belmont A hosted Alrewas A. Wayne Brewin defeated Alan Wilson to give the hosts a great start. Fran McInulty then followed suit by taking both frames against Roy Sherratt, aided by a 40 break. Back came the visitors though as John Sharpe won both frames against Shaun Gebbie and then Will Sherratt also won both frames against Josh Gebbie to force a creditable draw.

Alrewas B also drew at home to Belmont B. Carl Poulton compiled breaks of 30 and 28 against Arron Vaughan but it was not enough to take both frames as they were shared. Ian Hiley then drew with Miffa Smith. Colin Kinsella continued his good form as he took both frames from Zaheer Hussain to put the hosts in control. Rich Goldby proved to be the saviour for the visitors as he won both against Adam Walton.

Swadlincote Snooker Centre A were another team who drew on the night as they hosted Tutbury A. Andy Goldingay defeated Steve Hathaway and Steve Ayre took maximum frames against Dave Mabbott to put the home side in command. The visitors responded with Chris Mabbott and Steve Mabbott beating Mark Satchwell and John Davis respectively to end the match.

Willington A were the only other team to pick up a win as they won 5-3 against Rileys A. Gaz Barker proved to be the decisive factor as he won both frames against Mark Stirling. All other games were tied as Alan Davies drew with Tom Elliott, Dean Johnston drew with Nigel Tomlinson and finally Bill Stewart drew with Andy Spiers.

A special mention goes to Adam McInulty as he compiled a 100 break in his doubles match with partner Wayne Brewin. They played Dave Budworth and Lee Cook and with the match tied at one frame each, McInulty made the clearance to clinch the tie. Well done Adam.

Burton Cons B have increased their lead at the top to six points after beating Swad Cons A 5-3 in what was a close match with the result in the air until the final frame.  Swad Cons new boy ex Rileys player Ryan Gibb did very nicely as he won both frames in a tactical battle with Tom Egginton.  On the other table this match was probably the best two frames of the night between Simon Smith and Andy Grainger with both players in great potting form with Simon knocking in breaks of 24 and 20 to win his frame and Andy made a superb 27 clearance for his.  This put Swad Cons 3-1 ahead at the turn and probably expecting something from the match.  The Burton boys are very fortunate to have such quality floating players in the form of Darren Coady who took both frames against Lee Wood to bring them all square.  Darren made a lovely 35 break to take one of his frames.  In the second frame he was always in control.  Skipper Dave Plunkett got the two necessary frames for victory against Paul Slater who put in a determined performance but could not stop the Plunk who potted well with breaks of 24 and 27 respectfully.

Burton Cons C who have slipped to third place in the table following their defeat at home to one of the current in-form teams which is SDSC E winning 5-3.  Nick Harcombe got the away side off to a fine start as he took both frames against a most difficult opponent in the shape of Jim Jennings whose safety play at times was very good but Nicks potting was top notch.  As you would expect the master break builder Mick Buckland was again in tremendous break building mode as he made breaks of 44, 43 and 29 in a couple of one sided frames against the unlucky Tony Mitchell who could only watch a master at work.  Steve Castledine started to find some form as he drew with Ray Bancroft in two close games.  Andy Jefferies was SDSC star player as he beat Ian Shrieve in two tactical frames with neither player trying to give each other a scoring opportunity with Andy just shading both frames to give his side the win.

Willington C moved into second place with a hard fought win away at Woodville S&S A winning 5-3.  The match of the night was between Woodville’s maestro Jim Marcer and Jan Pawlaczyk.  This was a cracking match with excellent potting and safety play by both players.  Jan was rather fortunate to win both frames although Jim had a good chance to win the first frame with a clearance but failed on the blue.  Jim has been rather unlucky over the last few weeks to have drawn against their teams best players.  On the other table Alan Orpwood and Lee Cook shared their frames.  Alan winning the first on the black and almost winning the second but Lee potted a fine pink and black.  Tony Coleman shared the frames with Steve Butterworth in an uninspiring match best remember for a superb long black by Steve into the green bag for the first frame. Pat Ryan and Steve Lane shared two black ball games with both players getting some good pots with very little safety play and both deserving a frame. This match was played in a great spirit and enjoyed by all.

Alrewas C had a fine win at the opposite end of the A38 beating Willington D 5-3 who are struggling to get a settled side. Alrewas were given the perfect start thanks to top guns John Richardson and Karl Hancox.  John was in superb form with his opponent Adi Millington finding him too hot to handle in the first frame as John knocked in the divisions highest break of the week which was 54 with a lovely array of pots.  The second frame was a little tighter with it going down to the blue.  Karl Hancox and Bill Davidson had two close frames with Karl matching Bill’s safety play.  Unfortunately Bill could not match Karl’s solid potting. Steve Williams got Willington’s first frame of the evening as he drew with Declan McGurk.  This was also Steve’s first frame win of the season.  Declan who was making his debut for the team did well to win the second frame.  Colin Wood ran Willington’s most consistent player Dave Budworth to a very close first frame with Colin going in off the black.  The second frame was won fairly easily by Dave.

Ivanhoe C at last seem to be getting their season together as they beat Willington B 5-3.  They were given the ideal start first with Gaz Dolman who was in fine potting form to beat Trevor Heath who also knocked in some good pots.  Steve Cockerham back in the team showed them what they had been missing as he won both frames with a fine mixture of potting and safety play to beat Andy Jenkins.  Steve knocked in a nice 31 break to win one of his frames.  John Hardy put Willington on the score sheet as he beat Graham Measures in two well contested frames with John just shading it.  Darren Wilson got the vital winning frame as he shared the spoils with Steve Gaunt in a match were both players were doing well.

Newhall A had a good home win against Rolleston A winning 5-3.  Steady Eddie Glover got back to winning ways as he played well to beat Bobby Cliff.  Carl potted very well to take the first but was rather fortunate to win the second.  Tony Rushton got Rolleston back on level terms with a solid display against Lee Sherratt who is not having the best of seasons so far.  Joe Docksey played well to take the first frame missing few opportunities to score against Mark Anslow.  The second frame Mark came alive to deservedly share the honours.  Callum Gray got the home side over the line as he beat Richard O’Dell.  The first frame Callum managed to grind it out and the second he was lucky to win it on the black.  According to Carl Glover they all looked very smart in their new sponsored T-shirts.

The two top teams in the division met this week at Rolleston club, the C team currently lying in second place hosted the league leaders Stapenhill B, a cracking match ensued starting with Ade Owen against Stapenhill’s John Sherriff, and despite some excellent play from both players the frames were shared, Andy Tomlinson on the other table took control for the visitors beating Rob Sanders in another close match, Rolleston’s Lionel Lewis knocked in a great 30 break in the first frame against Tim Knopik but the Stapenhill man was not beaten and came back to take the frame, Lionel coming back to take the second, this left the result hanging on the final match between Rolleston’s Kev Norris and Greg Britton, Kev took immediate control of the game with an awesome display of match snooker including a 27 clearance to earn his team a deserved draw.

 

Belmont D went to Alrewas D and had a good match, for the visitors Micky Morris came from behind to take the first frame off Tony Trueman while on the other table Brett Craddock for Belmont started at a fast pace and took the first frame easily, Dave Riley was not finished and took the second frame at a strole. Brian Eccleston made a good start but soon found himself behind to Belmont captain Mark Vaughan who won both frames with the help of a few breaks the best being a 31. The biggest talking point of the night though was the last match with Alrewas stalwart Brian Aldridge taking on Tom Holland, Brian earned man of the match applause from both sets of players for his outstanding display of excellent potting to earn his team a draw,  the divisions other Belmont Team the C were at home to Woodville SS B team and started well with Brian Cutting rolling back the years with a fine display to take both frames from Mark Gallagher, this was matched by Terry Bosworth who took both frames off Jack Gallagher, the second frame on the black, Bill Hunt then took 2 frames back for Woodville by defeating Doug lees in two very close frames, the result then went down to the last frame after Jim Gardner took the first, Belmont Captain Dave Press got his head down and took the last frame with ease to give the home team the five – three win.

 

Swad Cons B got back to winning ways in the derby game against stable mates the C team.  Bob McNulty drawing with Dan Petcher but this was as good as it got for the C team as the B teams Paul Hollis and Colin Cope won all their frames, Colin making a 27 clearance and this was followed by Vince Draper making breaks of 39 and 24 for a 7-1 win. 

Swad Cons D came up against Ivanhoe D and on paper and recent performances you would have tipped Swad Cons to win this match but the result could not have been different, Swads Gaz Ward took a frame off Jason Collins, but it was all Ashby after this, Tony Tredger, Tim Bale and Jack Bale won all their frames for a emphatic 7-1 away win.

Tutbury B are another side riding high in the league and had another good team performance against Rolleston B. Dave Brady drew with Rolleston’s John Ward and Colin Bell did the same with Neil Cheadle, Tutbury’s Paul Atterbury got the better of Steve Atkin in two very close frames and the match was decided by Jeff Siddalls just making it past Rolleston’s Dave Bentley for a 6-2 win.