Premier League by Owen Jones
Belmont A found the going tough on week three of the David Wain Insurance Premier Division. They faced newly promoted Alrewas A and it was the visitors who left with the win. Karl Hancox continued his great start to the season by winning both frames against Rich Goldby, which included breaks of 32 and 35. Ian Archer levelled things up as he took both frames against Rob McMeecham with some crisp potting. Graham Bailey struggled from the start against John Richardson, who made a 41 break on the way to earning two frames for his team. Finally, Arron Vaughan could not stem the tide as Tom Smith earned the final two frames on offer on the night to leave the final score at 6-2.
Burton Cons A picked up a 5-3 victory at home against Ivanhoe B. Stuart Roberts was first up against Bren Mattley. Roberts potted well to take the first frame. Mattley responded well in the second with some good safety, which ultimately won him the frame. John Shilton played Ivan Birkin on the other table. Both had chances to take the frames but Shilton proved to have the edge. Mat Milnes struggled to hit his usual high standards but scored well in small patches which enabled him to pull clear of Jason Pickering in both frames. Finally, Owen Jones played floater Andy Marriott. The first frame was tight until Jones went in off when potting a pink into the centre pocket. Marriott proceeded to clear the remainder of the balls with a super 96 break to take the first. The second was nip and tuck until Jones under hit the yellow to green positional shot. This made the pot more difficult but he managed to make it but, agonizingly, the white rolled into the middle pocket. Marriott cleared the remaining balls to claim the frame and complete the scoring.
Ivanhoe A beat Spot On B 6-2. The visitors put in a good performance and will feel they deserved more on the night. Daniel Blunn won the first quite easily against Steve Lane but was taken all the way to the final black in the second. Blunn rolled it in to earn the two nil win. Ian Rennocks knocked in a 31 as he shared the frames with Tim Hodgkinson. Mick Kirk and Loz Kennerson produced a scrappy encounter and a frame each turned out to be about right on the night. Ant Moore earned the victory for the hosts with a victory against Steve Butterworth.
Rolleston A also won 6-2 on the night against Belmont B. Joe Docksey and Leo Worsley potted well on the night and duly won a frame each. Worsley made a 39 in the frame he won. Tony Rushton was in decent form as he beat Mark Vaughan. Bobby Cliff also potted well as he won against Zaheer Hussain. Finally, Richard O’Dell and Brett Craddock drew, with the visiting player making a 30 break.
Spot On C and Burton Cons B drew a well contested match. Andy Jenkins was first up against Ryan Gibbs. Both players potted some good balls but ultimately Jenkins did enough to win both frames. Simon Smith hit back immediately as he defeated Trevor Heath. Tony Clements drew with Mike Buckland and Steve Gaunt drew with Jon Swift to complete the scoring.
Spot On A and Swadlincote Snooker Centre A could not be seperated on the night. All players won a frame each as Ade Harper, Nigel Tomlinson, Mark Stirling and Andy Spiers drew with Steve Ayre, Andy Goldingay, Chris Dewey and John Davis respectively.
Tutbury A lost 5-3 at home against Swad Cons A. Steve Hathaway found Mark Hadley to be too good on the night. Steve Mabbott got the first frame on the board for the hosts as he drew with Paul Slater. Dave Mabbott levelled the match as he defeated Lee Wood. Andy Grainger sealed the win for the visitors as he made a 32 in beating Chris Mabbott.
Division 1 by Mike Buckland
Rather like last season Pete Maguire’s team has come out of the blocks first in Division One. Last week they took a good 6-2 victory against Stapenhill B in what was a good match all round. John Sherriff played some lovely snooker against Pete himself and draw was about right. Another draw was played out between Simon Shilton, who potted everything in the first frame, against Tim Knopik. Adam Harrison and Henry Tomas though turned on the power for the Swad side as they beat Colin and Greg Britton respectively. Adam has started with 3 staright victories in his return to league snooker.
Tutbury C cling onto their Number one spot in the table in spite of a narrow loss to Woodville B away this week. Terry Eyley beating Paul Atterbury edged the home side late on. Ivanhoe sit in a cloe 3rd and are currently tied on points with Alrewas C in fourth place. Alrewas D secured their first win of the season away to Belmont D with Thom Smith, Tom Wright and Colin Kinsela all landing wins on the night, Belmonts’ Andy Biggadyke won yet again to net 2 frames for the home side.
Belmont C started their match against Spot ons’ Snookertte D team, with a convincing win for Terry Bosworth. Dave Press took two hard fought games with Marie Bidges who slammed in superb blues in both frames, Dave winning both on the final colours. Yvonne Spendlove romped to her first win of the season against Dougie Lees who picked up his cue this week for the first time this season. Yvonne had given the ladies a chance at a draw as the last match began but it wasn’t to be as Brian Cutting and Kate Stirling shared frames in a match which took the fixture late into the evening.
Alrewas C and Rolleston D saw he only draw this week, 7 points now separate these two teams at this early stage. Woodville D, who are still seeking their first win of the season lost to Ivanhoe D 6-2. Surly their first victory is just around the corner with two good draws under their belt. Swad Cons C host their D team this coming week in a league fixture which is sure to be an exciting affair!
This week also sees the first round of the Nicholas Humphreys’ Presidents Handicap, with some pretty tasty draws in the line-up, including Swad Cons D playing host to Alrewas D and Swad Cons D visiting Belmont D in a local derby!