2017-18: Week 16

By Mick Buckland

Ivanhoe A extended their lead to 5 points at the top of the David Wain Insurance Premier Division after defeating Tutbury A 6-2 away. James Hastie got off to a good start in his first frame versus Steve Mabbutt but Steve rallied to win t on the pink. In the second James had a nice 31, Steve came back again but James held on to win for a draw overall. Ant Moore played Steve Hathaway and won the first with some good potting. The second looked to be going the same way but 15 followed by 22 got Steve back in until he missed the yellow allowing Ant to clear to the black for a victory-the safety on the pink being a bit special as it dropped in the corner.. Dan Blunn played John Brentnall-John was in total charge and left Dan needing 3 snookers-he managed to get two of them before John potted blue and pink. John was also in control of the second until he missed the brown to let Dan in for a good clearance. Andy Marriott played Dave Mabbutt with Andy getting off to a good start with a nice 39. Dave fought back with a nice brown clearance to force a respotted black. Both players played some good safety before Andy  knocked it in-he then had a lovely 58 missing the last red for a more comfortable second.
In second are Belmont A but they were held to a 4-4 draw by Swad Cons A. Andy Grainger beat Ian Archer for a good start for the Cons with Mark Hadley playing nicely to take a frame off John Chambers. In the second half Arron Vaughan restored parity for Belmont with a solid 2-0 win over Paul Slater whilst Vince Draper prevented the Servicemen getting the win by holding Dean Marriott, making a rare start.
Burton Cons A beat SDSC B 5-3 but not without a scare as several frames could have gone either way. John Shilton won his first against Harry Farrell but Harry fought well after John looked like going away in the second as well to get back and win on the black for a draw. Henry Tomas, for The Snooker Centre, played some nice stuff in the first to be twenty odd up down on the colours against Mike Buckland before Buckland knocked a yellow in out of nowhere and cleared up to steal the frame on the black. Buckland took control of the second, before both players produced some excellent safety to keep the frame going. Tomas potted a really good pink and black to force a respot, After a few safeties, Tomas caught his hand on the rail to totally miss the black altogether and hand Buckland an improbable victory. The match of the evening was between Graham Stevens and Ben Davies with both players not missing much at all Graham had a 34 and a 48 but Ben had his own 32 to hang in there for a draw. The Match between Jon Swift and Adam Harrison was a little scrappy but Jon played well to finish the second of for the draw after Adam had deservedly gone in front.
In fourth are Burton Cons B who had a routine 6-2 win over Rolleston A, who were missing Ant Rushton and Mark Press to work commitments. Jon Fletcher rolled in a nice 43 on his way to a comfortable win over Evan O’Dell But Luke Speed knocked in important balls at the right time to snatch a frame off Simon Smith. A are outing for Stuart Roberts saw off Rich O’Dell whilst Bobby Cliff played some solid snooker to take a frame from Owen Jones.
Alrewas A took on Spot On A and despite a return to form for the Alrewas captain Karl Hancox. the Legionnaires could only manage a 4-4 draw. Mark Stirling played nicely for the Spots to beat Tom Smith, John Richardson drew his match versus Nigel Tomlinson as did Lee Louch with Tom Elliott .
In a mid table battle at Swad Snooker Centre, it was Tutbury B who came out on top against the home side’s A team. Making the difference on the night was Wayne Pereira as he rolled a nice 34 in to achieve the only individual victory as he beat Chris Dewey. Daz Lester had a nice 33 in his draw with Andy Goldingay. John Davis and Bill Stewart shared their two frames as did Steve Ayre and Jan Pawlazcyk.

Tutbury C are beginning to look unstoppable at the top of the PJM Fascias Division One. Last week they thrashed a rival for promotion in Newhall A 7-1. Carl Glover for Newhall took a frame off Steve Butler but that was as good as it got for  Newhall. Martin Hicks had a nice 32 but was unable to get past the consistent Wayne Smith. Tutters’ Tom Lucas rolled in a good 31 in his win over Adam McInulty whilst Steve Burrow beat Martin Hurdman leaving Tutbury  21 points clear at the top.
In the chasing pack Ivanhoe B came out 6-2 winners over Spot On C. Mick Kirk had a good 37 in his win over Steve Gaunt whilst Jason Pickering got past Trevor Heath who has been in fine form himself. In the second half was shared as Adam Pickering beat Dave Malwhinney with Tony Clements restoring some pride for the Spots with his win over Bren Mattley.
The writing is beginning to look like it’s on the wall for SDSC C as they lost 5-3 at home to Tutbury D. Nick Harcombe provided his customary win over Dave Brady and Chris Craddock scored a good point for the home side as he took one off Colin Bell. Wins for Jeff Siddalls and Paul Atterbury though meant the Tutters went away with the extra winning point and this leaves the Snooker Centre 19 points from safety whilst ensuring they themselves are above the relegation zone by having one more draw than Alrewas B.
The Legionnaires lost for the 4th straight week-Ian Hiley providing the bright spot with a win over Ivanhoe C’s Jerry Cook. Adam Walton did well to take a frame form Darren Wilson as Darren had a nice 38 of his own was in good form. Wins for Gaz Dolman over James Edwards and Graham Measures over Carl Poulton saw the Ashby boys home.
Stapenhill A beat Burton Cons C 6-2 in regular fashion. Steve Ford and Dave Shenton were the men on target for The Institute  scoring victories whilst The Cons’ end was held up by Ian Shrive and Greg Read as they halved their matches with Andy Gretton and Callum Coleman respectively.

Swad Cons C beat Ivanhoe D in the Newton Fallowell Division Two with wins for Bob Birch and Gaz Ward. Brian Lowrie replied for the Ashby men whilst there was a draw between Andy Boam and Ross Tredger.
There was a hard fought draw between Woodville C and Rolleston B. Wayne Allen and Jim Marcer put the Woodvillians 4-0 up at the break …Rob Tubey and Kev Norris returned the compliment for the Rollers in the second half.
The  Belmont derby was won handsomely by the club’s C team 8-0 with wins for Matt Keay, Brian Cutting, Terry Bosworth and Graeme Drayton.
SDSC D kept up their promotion push with a good 5-3 win over rivals Stapenhill B. Andy Bloor was man of the match as he knocked a nice 42 in during his victory over Tim Knopik. Also on target for the Snooker Centre was Brain Bloor. Andy Tomlinson tried to get the Institute back in it with his win over Garton Bloor but the point from David Wain was worth two as he drew with Greg Britton.
Burton Cons D drew their match with Rolleston C 4-4 and all four matches were drawn 1-1…Jim Jennings with Aaron Doyle, Dave Powell with Graham Fisher, Paul Brooks with Steve Atkin and Al Munnien with Mark Storr.
There was a cracking match between the Worriers of Woodville B and The Snookerettes of Spot On D. Billy Bob Brooks was the Worriers’ star man as he beat Gilda Horvath with a controlled display of potting and safety- Gilda not having the most favourable of run. Marie Bridges lost her first on the black against Alan “Dennis” Orpwood but the got the bit between her teeth in the second to win with a number of excellent long pots.  Yvonne Spenlove also had he long potting boots non, especially the pink to take the first off Anthony Coleman. Tony started the second like a train but gradually Vonnie got back in it to take it down to the colours but AC was able to hang on. Pat Ryan and Kate Stirling enjoyed their battle with a draw being about right. Pat won the first through sheer doggedness and Kate the second with some excellent pots…surely it cannot be long before these girls win a match they play deserves…..