2017-18: Week 15

By Mick Buckland

 The big match in the David Wain Insurance Premier Division last week was at Ashby where Ivanhoe A inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Burton Cons A. The game got off to a stunning start with Andy Marriott knocking in a tremendous 119 break which was only halted by Andy not getting on the brown so  it could have been a 141. This was in the first frame versus Jon Swift who could only sit and admire. Jon showed great composure though to steal the second and a draw after potting the pink and then an awkward black in the middle. On the other table Daniel Blunn was in fine form as he overcame John Shilton with the aid of runs of 34 and 41. In the second half, Graham Stevens halved with James Hastie whilst Ant Moore knocked a good 30 in during his draw against Mike Buckland with both players missing chances they might normally have expected to take. This puts a gap of 5 points between the two sides with Ivanhoe top by 2 points from Belmont A who have jumped up to second.
Rob Chambers continued his fine form by knocking in a 48 on the way to victory over Tom Smith of Alrewas A. John Chambers also scored a win over Karl Hancox whilst there were draws between Arron Vaughan and Lee Louch and also Ian Archer and John Richardson.
In fourth spot are Burton Cons B who ran out 5-3 winners against Tutbury A. Making a rare start was Dave Shipton who overcame Steve Hathaway 2-0 with Owen Jones also in good form as he rolled a good 39 in during his win over Chris Mabbutt. For Tutbury, Dave Mabbutt scored an impressive victory over Jon Fletcher whilst the game between Stuart Roberts and John Brentnall was halved.
Back to back wins have pulled SDSC B up to 5th, albeit 23 points adrift of 4th. Last week they beat Spot On B with the aid of wins for Adam Harrison and Rich Hinks. Further points came from Henry Tomas and Harry Farrell who drew with Steve Lane and Loz Kennerson respectively.
Club rivals SDSC A are next after they drew with Spot On A 4-4. The man with his potting boots on was Chris Dewey who had a lovely 35 but this only gained him one frame as he was held to a draw by Tom Elliott. Steve Ayre was a winner on the night for The Snooker Centre as he beat Ade Harper whilst Mark Stirling replied for the Spots with a win over John Davis. The two Andys, Speirs and Goldingay halved their match resulting in a shared game all round.

Pole position in the PJM  Fascias Division One is held by Tutbury C after they rolled over Burton Cons C on their own patch by an impressive 7-1 scoreline. Only Greg Read for the Cons was able to stem the tide as he drew with Wayne Smith. Elsewhere there were wins for Steve Burrows, Steve Butler and Tom Lucas. This result leaves The Tutters 16 points clear and looking good for promotion whilst 3 defeats in four has left The Cons in the bottom 3.
Spot on C, in second, had a fine 5-3 win over Stapenhill A. The match of the evening saw a draw between Tony Clements and Andy Gretton  who both knocked good 32s in as they had an overall half. Making the difference on the night was Trevor Heath as he beat Chris Sheldrake 2-0. The games between John Hardy and Steve Ford and then Steve Gaunt and Callum Coleman both ended all square.
Newhall A missed the chance to close the gap at the top as they drew with Ivanhoe C. This was one of those rare occasions when all four matches were also halved. Honours shared all round-Martin Hurdman with Jerry Cook, Adam McInulty with Darren Wilson, Carl Glover with Graham Measures and Martin Hicks with Gaz Dolman. This is now 3 without a win for Newhall which leaves the door open for others…..
As it is the same can be said for Ivanhoe B, who were surprisingly beaten by Tutbury D. Colin Bell and Jeff Siddalls were in fine form for The Institute with Jeff rolling in a cracking 36 during is win over Adam Pickering. Paul Atterbury scored a deserved half with Mick Kirk whilst Dave Brady and Jason Pickering also shared their two frames, leaving The Tutters to run out 6-2 victors.
Alrewas B continued their dreadful run as they were undone by Belmont B at home. Only Ian Hiley was able to buck the trend as he beat Graham Bailey. Their only other point came from Adam Walton as he drew with Mark Vaughan. Winners for The Servicemen on the night were Mick Morris and Brett Craddock.
Woodville A continued their push towards promotion with a 6-2 win over SDSC C. Fran McInulty rolled a lovely 39 in as he beat Nick Harcombe with Ray Stretton responding for the Snooker Centre with a win over Bob McInulty. In the second half Wayne Brewin  and Mark Satchwell proved their Premier Division class as they beat Ray Bancroft and Chris Craddock for the win.

In the Newton Fallowell Division Two, there was a good, albeit slightly flattering 7-1 win for The Woodville Worriers over Belmont D. The Big “O”, Alan Orpwood missed little in the first against Charlie Groves who will count himself a little unlucky to lose the second on the black. Charlie showed enough form to prove that he will be one to watch for the future…. Charlie’s dad Matt shared his two frames with Billy Bob Brooks with both players deserving something from the game. Tony Coleman won the first comfortably against Tom Holland but was made to struggle in the second by Tom who eventually lost on the blue.  Pat Ryan potted well at times against Ian Gibson who just didn’t have the run when he needed it for Pat to run out with the win.
Also winning 7-1 were Spot On E as they beat Rolleston B on their own tables. Lionel Lewis scored a good draw with the Spot’s captain Jared Cronje but after that there were comfortable wins for Mitch Hughes, Jordan Watts and Brad Williams. This leaves the young guns in a good position 7 off the top and looking good for promotion.
Woodville C went to Rolleston C and came away with a good 5-3 victory. Jim Marcer and Mark Gallagher were on form with victories for The Woodvillians whilst Wayne Allen earned the winning point with his draw with Neil Cheadle. Mark Storr was the only highlight for Rolleston as he beat Denis Moore.
SDSC D looked on course for a win in their match at Ivanhoe D after Andy Bloor played nicely to beat Leo Worsley and the Andy Rice drew with Adam Briggs, with a particularly nice clearance in the first witnessed by your reporter. The match turned after the break though as Matt Tewkesbury beat Brian Bloor and Ross Tredger overcame Garton Bloor for a victory for the Ashby boys. This is now no wins in three for The Snooker Centre but they still look good for promotion back to Division One, whilst Ivanhoe did their own hopes of promotion no harm at all.
Belmont C lost 6-2 at home to Swad Cons C. Only Matt Keay could find any form as he beat Jona Edwards before there were wins for Gaz Ward, Bob Birch and Andy Boam for the Cons, who kept up their faint hopes for promotion themselves.