Owen Jones writes for the David Wain Insurance Premier Division

Burton Cons B have definitely held their own in their first season back in the David Wain Insurance Premier Division. They hosted Belmont A this week and narrowly lost 5-3. Simon Smith was in good potting form as he won both against Josh Gebbie, which included a 32 break. Ian Archer soon levelled things up as he proved to be too strong for Dave Plunkett on the night, winning both frames, which included a 31 break. Dave Shipton and Wayne Brewin then won a frame each in a well contested game. Finally, Mike Buckland went up against Shaun Gebbie. The visiting player potted well to knock Buckland out of his stride and won both frames which sealed the victory for the Swadlincote side.

In a reverse of that fixture, Belmont B hosted champions Burton Cons A. Arron Vaughan was first up against John Shilton. A scrappy game saw Vaughan hand his opponent too many opportunities, which he was eventually punished for as Shilton clinched both frames. On the other table, Graham Bailey played Graham Stevens. The first frame was tight until Stevens knocked in a lovely red to take control and close out the frame. The second was more clear cut for the Cons player and the half way score was soon 4-0 to the visitors. The second half began with Mick Simpkins potting well and Zaheer Hussain finding the going tough. The Cons player won both frames to win the match. Finally, Martin Smith played Owen Jones in a game where both players were positive. Jones won the first frame after Smith struggled to string anything together. The second frame was topsy-turvy going into the final few colours. Jones potted a good brown down the rail but this left a tough cut back to the centre pocket on the blue. He failed to pot it and, subsequently, Smith potted a cracking long blue followed by a similar pink to grab a frame and halt the whitewash. The final score was 7-1 to the visitors.

An extremely close and thrilling match was played out at Ashby Ivanhoe as the B team hosted Alrewas A and both sides took a share of the spoils. Stu Tagg and Dave Trueman took a frame each in a match of few chances and good safety. Tagg the first after building a good lead but Trueman took the second fighting back valiantly. John Skellett and Colin Kinsella also shared the spoils in two very different frames. Kinsella, building a large lead in the first that he held on to and Skellett doing the same in the second. Brendon Mattley and Carl Poulton served up another entertaining draw. Poulton, comfortably taking the first after some good potting and Mattley the second after consistent excellent safety to force Poulton into errors. Jason Pickering and Ian Hiley shared two final black ball games. Hiley should have taken the first after being ahead but Pickering fought back and took the pink and black to win. The second a much closer affair with plenty of good safety but a trebled final black fell short for Pickering and Hiley cashed in.

Chimney’s B have re-located to Spot On and will be using the venue for the rest of the season. This made life easier for the Spot On A side as their “away” game seemed very much home from home. First up, Loz Kennerson found Mark Stirling to be too strong as his opponent knocked in a 31 break in winning both frames. Steve Lane then shared the frames with Rich Foster. Lee Cooke started the second half of the match against Nigel Tomlinson and it wa the Spot On man who won both frames, which clinched the match. Andy Spiers put a gloss on the result as he won both frames against Steve Butterworth.

Swadlincote Snooker Centre A played out a draw with Chimney’s A. Chris Dewey and Daz Lester both potted well to win a frame each. Steve Ayre and Dean Johnston followed suit as they also won a frame each. John Davis found Bill Stewart too good on the night and Mark Satchwell again showed what a good match player he is by securing the draw by winning both frames against Jan Pawlazych.

Stapenhill A were hoping to build on their good performance from the previous week but unfortunately went down 6-2 at home to Ashby Ivanhoe A. Andy Tomlinson and Ian Rennocks won a frame each as did Andy Gretton and Mick Kirk. The second half of the match was the turning point as Ant Moore dfeated Carl Jeffcoate and Daniel Blunn also won both against Chris Sheldrake to complete the scoring.

Mike Buckland writes for Division 1

Belmont D returned to winning ways after the previous week’s slip up.Mick Morris played steadily to defeat Gareth Fern. Mark Vaughan and Andy Jeffries had two unremarkable frames which both went to Mark to leave The Servicemen 4-0 up at the break.Brett Craddock played well to take the first off of Ray Bancroft but Ray dug in in the second frame. Brett was 27 in front when Ray snookered him. Although the ball was hit Brett went in off and left a free ball which Ray played onto the pink and then on to the ball on-the green. Although he cleared to the pink, both players had chances but it was Brett who took the frame in the end. Simon Deakin turned out at short notice but was unable to overturn the in form Nick Harcombe who brought some respectability to the scoreline.

Burton Cons C were also able to score a 6-2 victory-this was at the expense of Stapenhill B. Matt Hucker took both off of Colin Britton whilst Tom Egginton scored a fine 2-0 win over one of the division’s top players in Jonathon Swift. In the second half Cons’ captain Ian Shrive drew with John Sherriff and Lee Louch drew with Greg Britton. The result leaves both sides just a couple of decent wins away from the promotion spots.

One of the sides occupying one of those spots, Chimneys C were undone at home by another side who have now joined them as a result-Rolleston A. James Wilkinson scored a fine 2-0 win over John Hardy whilst the R’s captain Joe Docksey played nicely to take one off of the consistent Trevor Heath. Tony Clements proved too strong on the night for Bobby Cliff but Ant Rushton saw the match home by winning his 14th straight frame in defeating Steve Gaunt.

Newhall A made it four unbeaten and a 3rd straight win versus Rolleston B. Martin Hicks and Lionel Lewis both played well in a 1-1 draw. Lionel came from behind with a nice clearance to win the first but Martin included a good 25 in winning the second. Martin Hurdman lost the first to Rob Sanders on the black but came back well to win the second.There was another drawn game between Rolleston’s John Harvey and Mark Anslow. John played well to win the first and Mark knocked in a 21 to win the second. The match was decided by a good performance from Carl Glover over Kev Norris. carl came from 25 behind to win the first on the black and then took the second on the brown for a fine Newhall win which puts them in the top half of the table for the first time this season.

Early season leaders SDSC C returned to the top spot with a hard fought 5-3 win over Belmont C.It did not start well though with captain Pete Maguire losing to Terry Bosworth of Belmont. Henry Tomas though made amends with a win over Brian Cutting. Carl Hyde and Doug Lees fought out a dour draw before Simon Shilton saw the Swad Snooker Centre side home with a 2-0 win over Dave Press.

For once Tutbury B did not draw but unfortunately for them it meant a 5-3 home defeat to Ivanhoe C. This leaves them still winless at the half way point of the season. Colin Bell and Gaz Dolman drew in the first match but Ivanhoe’s Steve Cockerham had too much for Tutbury’s Dave Brady. The second half saw draws between Paul Atterbury and Graham Measures and then Jeff Siddalls and Jerry Cook. This win leaves Ivanhoe just tucked in behind the leaders.

The game between Alrewas C and their B team was postponed till this week.

Tony Coleman your on the spot reporter reporting on the weekly events in Division 2

Spot on C got back to winning ways with a solid performance in beating Woodville S&S A 6-2. Jared Cronje won both frames against Alan Orpwood. In the first frame Jared missed very little in the potting department with a number of well struck long pots. The second frame was a very tight affair which Alan probably deserved to win. Alan played a more tactical game which saw him go into a nice lead up to the blue until Jared fluked the blue into the yellow pocket then potted the pink and then played safe on the black after a short bout of safety play. Jared potted a superb long black to take the frame. On the other table a couple of scruffy frames were shared between Billy Newman and Jim Marcer. Jim won the first on the black with Billy taking the second a little easier. This left the Spots 3-1 ahead at the turn and nothing changed in the second half. In the first frame between Ben Menzies and Tony Coleman required a re-rack with the black ball surrounded by reds over a pocket. Tony Coleman took the first frame with a number of fine pots despite Ben knocking in a good break of 20. The second frame was completely different to the first with Ben taking charge after Tony missed a red. Ben missed very little in this frame which included a well constructed 35 break with one or two good long pots which saw Tony conceding on the yellow. Sean Bates got back to winning form as he beat Pat Ryan. Sean started off very brightly with a number of fine pots from which Pat never recovered. The second frame was more of an even game which saw both players failing to make the most of their opportunities.

Swad Cons B inflicted a heavy defeat away to Ivanhoe D winning 6-2. l think the Ashby boys are still full of the Christmas spirit. The Cons played some great snooker throughout the match. This was well illustrated by Gerard White as he took both frames against Keith Bale. Gerard’s potting at times was very good with him missing very little in both frames and giving Keith limited opportunities to shine. Jack Bale provided the first bit of good news for the home side as he drew with the improving Ross Hollis who made a solid 21 break to win his frame. This put the Cons 3-1 ahead at the interval and things only got better as Vince Draper took both frames against an out of sorts Warner Collins who is still struggling to come to terms with his surprise dance off elimination for accidentally tripping up a fellow dancer – this never happens in snooker. Jason Collins improved the score slightly as he drew with Paul Hollis in two entertaining frames with both players making some fine pots. Paul made a nice 22 break to take his frame after being a few points behind at the time. This win puts them joint second with SDSC D on 75 points eight points behind the leaders Spot On C.

Alrewas D took on the current form team Baulkline A and got a well deserved and hard fought draw. Brian Aldridge played some of his best snooker of the season to get a well deserved draw against one of the Baulkline star players Tom Lucas. Brian made a number of cracking pots which helped him to get one or two little breaks to win his frame. Tom held his nerve in the second to win it on the high colours. On the other table Wayne Smith the divisions most consistent player despite again not being on his best form was still able to beat Tony Trueman. Tony’s normally reliable safety game was not at its best on the night letting in Wayne to make the telling pots. Baulkline 3-1 ahead at the break and smelling victory to keep them well up there in the promotion battle went home down the A38 slightly disappointed with the draw. Tom Smith got them back into the match with a solid performance to draw with Jon Sully with neither player probably doing enough to take both frames. Dave Riley was the Alrewas star player as he won both frames in two very close games with Mick Taylor with safety play being the order of the day as both players being conscious of the match situation. The first frame went down to the last few colours but in the second Dave just managed to keep his nose in front. This draw sees Baulkline drop a place to fourth but there is a gap opening up between them and fifth placed Woodville S&S A of nine points.

Rolleston C lost at home to the rapidly improving Burton Cons D winning 5-3. The Christmas break seems to have revitalised the Cons spirits as Jim Jennings was in the team it would be a pint of Pedigree!!. Aaron Doyle and Jim ‘the wily old fox’ Jennings shared an honourable draw with both players enjoying the match with a number of small breaks by both players and a few quality pots. Ian Protheroe for the Cons who seems to be hitting a rich vein of form at the moment was the only player on either side to win both frames as he did in beating Neil Cheadle with a fine array of pots and safety play. Steve Atkin deservedly drew with Nathan Brooks in a very tight match with both players missing one or two scoring chances. It was left to the match between Dave Bentley and Paul Brooks to decide the outcome of the match. Paul did well enough to get the draw with Dave and earn the win for the Cons which sees them moving nicely up the table. Dave got a number of good pots in his own style to win his frame.

Swad Cons D the draw specialists of the division managed to put a dent in SDSC D’s title aspirations with another draw. I believe this is their third draw on the trot two of which have been against title contenders. Gaz Ward shared his frames with Brian Bloor in two contrasting frames the first was more of an attacking game with both players going for the pots which suited Gaz as he won the frame but the second was a little more tactical with plenty of safety play which Brian won. On the other table Dave Bodie must have wished he was on holiday as he lost both frames to John Chambers in a two tight frames with both games going down to the wire. This put SDSC 3-1 ahead at the turn round. This was a game of two halves!! Bob Birch played David Wain and the result was an honourable draw with neither player being able to stamp their authority in both frames which saw some good snooker from both players. Kieron Dadley earned the Cons a well deserved draw as he won both frames with a solid display of potting in two entertaining frames of snooker against Garton Bloor.

Woodville S&S B slipped up at home losing to the Chimneys D 5-3 which was a very close match with the result in doubt until the final frame was finished. Mark Gallagher is starting to get his early season form back but had to settle for the draw with Adi Millington. Mark played well to win his frame with a number of fine pots. In the second frame which was a little scrappy Adi managed to just shade it. Wayne Allen who has been playing to some solid snooker of late also had to settle for the draw with Andy Holloway which was just about a fair result on the night with neither player being at their best. Terry Eyley had to use all his guile and experience and also some tidy potting to get a deserved frame against Steve Williams who made a number of small breaks in both frames. The Chimneys had to thank ‘old tight lines’ Brian Alford just back from his fishing adventures in Fleetwood for earning them the win as he took both frames off Denis Moore who has not had the best of running over the last few matches. Brian rolled back the years in this match with a sparkling performance both in the potting and safety department. Denis made some valuable contributions to the best match of the evening.

Well it has happened at last the lovely Snookerettes aka Spot On B have won their first match of the season and they did it in fine style beating Swad Cons C 6-2 who are just below them in the league and they are also looking for their first win of the season. The Snookerettes got off to the best start with Clare Roulstone who won an entertaining match with John Griffin with plenty of action. Some cracking pots by both players and some poor misses but also a telling 15 break by Clare helped her to take the second frame. Marie Bridges then took on Pete ‘the shorts’ Fearn and won two very close frames which were only decided on the high colours. This put the girls in dreamland being 4-0 ahead at the interval for the first time this season but could they build on this? Jon Petcher got the Cons first frame of the night against Kate ‘Michaela Tabbs’ Stirling with a fine display of potting. In the second frame Kate set out her stall to get the frame they required for the win with a battling display with a good mixture of safety play and strong potting to beat Jon on the low colours. Miss consistent for the Snookerettes Yvonne Spendlove who this season put the icing on the cake as she drew a close match with Paul Griffin. Yvonne won her frame with a well constructed 23 break. The frame that Paul won showed what a battler he is by clawing his way back into the frame and winning it. It was drinks all round for the girls which was a nice gesture by Cyril. Hopefully this can be the springboard for more wins for the Snookerettes. It would also be good if the Cons could get their first win of the season soon as they are a great bunch of lads who enjoy their snooker night out.