By Mick Buckland
Ivanhoe A further strengthened their grip on this year’s David Wain Insurance Premier Division by thumping Rolleston A 8-0 on their own patch. Tom Bassett of Rolleston played two good frames against Ant Moore but it was Ant who took the first on the blue. The two matched each other on the second until the last red when Ant cleared what he needed.James Hastie played Rich O’Dell having a good 53 in the first , which could have been more. He also played nicely to comfortably win the second to leave Ivanhoe 4-0 at half time. Ian Rennocks took the first against Luke Speed on the colours and then the second down on the black. Ant Rushton went 32 in front against Andy Marriott in the first only for Andy to fluke the pink and take the frame on the black. The second was hard fought until the end when Andy had just too much to complete the whitewash.
In second place, Burton Cons B were just able to squeeze past SDSC B 5-3. Matt Milnes was in fine form as he included runs of 43 and 36 in his win over Henry Tomas. Owen Jones was also potting well as he beat Adam Harrison. In reply Harry Farrell was man of the match as he had contributions of 78 and 46 as he disposed of Jon Fletcher who really did nothing wrong. Simon Smith had a 31 in his draw with Ben Davies.
In third, Burton Cons A were only able to field three against SDSC A. From 2-0 before the start , the score soon became 4-0 as Chris Dewey beat Jon Swift in the first and Steve Ayre beat Graham Stevens. Graham though had a lovely 57 in the second, which might have been more, before leaving Steve a chance to clear at the end. Steve was unable to take it though for Graham to hang on for the win and therefore a draw. Jon Swift got the snookers he required to win the second against Chris on the black. Mike Buckland somehow then came away with both frames against Andy Goldingay, the first on the black and the second after a respot in a match that saw both players pot well.
In fourth are Belmont A but they went down to a spirited Spot On A side who came away 5-3 victors. Tom Elliott was the star man as he scored a double against Josh Gebbie. The other three matches were drawn with runs of 36 for Ade Harper and 39 for Mark Stirling of the Spots and 36 from Rob Chambers of Belmont.
Alrewas A lost 5-3 at home to relegation threatened Spot On B. Loz Kennerson beat Tom Smith, despite Tom having a 38 and Tim Hodgkinson beat Colin Wood. Karl Hancox replied for The Legionnaires with two runs of 33 in his victory over Steve Lane. Colin Kinsella and Lee Cooke drew their encounter.
Swad Cons A look like they may be slipping towards the trap door after losing 5-3 at home to Tutbury A. Dave Mabbutt and John Brentnall were the men to do the damage as they both scored doubles, John having a nice 40 along the way. The usually reliable Andy Grainger was held to a 1-1 draw by Chris Mabbutt, who had a lovely 48 along the way. Simon Orpwood had a comfortable win over Dan Mabbutt in reply.
In the PJM Fascias Division One, champions elect Tutbury C drew for the third week on the bounce, this time against bottom side SDSC C. In a lacklustre match there were two wins on either side-Nick Harcombe and Ray Bancroft for the Snooker Centre and Wayne Smith and Steve Burrows for The Tutters.
Since losing 7-1 to the leaders at the end of January, Newhall A have won 5 league games in a row to them favourites to join Tutbury in the Premier next season. Last week they did just enough to get past Spot On C 5-3 away. Nick Walker was the main man as he scored a double over Trevor Heath with the other three matches all drawn. Adam McInulty, Martin Hicks and Martin Hurdman with Tony Clements, Steve Gaunt and Rich Turner respectively.
Woodville A were only able to manage a draw against Ivanhoe C with all four matches being tied-Fran McInulty providing hte highlight with a 31 in his draw with Gaz Dolman.
As things get nervy with promotion and relegation places at stake there was another 4-4 at Belmont where the club’s B team drew with Stapenhill A where all four matches were also tied. In the match there were 7 contributions over 25 but nothing to separate the sides in the end. Belmont have still lost just the once this season whilst Stapenhill could have done with winning to keep alive their own faint hopes of promotion.
Tutbury D drew with Alrewas B 4-4-a result which may mean both sides being relegated. Carl Poulton for Alrewas provided the highlight as he included a 31 in his win over Dave Brady on the night whilst Colin Bell was on target for The Tutters with two games drawn.
Ivanhoe B’s promotion push was undone at home by a resurgent Burton Cons B side 5-3. Greg Read was the man to make the difference as he won against Greg Gallup whilst the other three matches were halved-Nick Sewell and Bill Davidson, Adam Pickering and Simon Shilton then Bren Mattley and Ian Shrive. Four wins on the bounce for The Cons has pulled them clear of the relegation zone whilst Ivanhoe have slipped out of the promotion spots after 5 without a win and their rivals having a game in hand.
Two of the top three faced each other in the Newton Fallowell Division Two with Spot On E coming out 5-3 winners away at SDSC D. Jared Cronje drew with David Wain, Adam Edwards halved with Brian Bloor and Andy Bloor shared with Brad Williams before Ben Menzies saw the leaders home with a dour win over Garton Bloor. The result virtually seals promotion for Spot On whilst SDSC will need a few more frames before they can say the same.
Stapenhill B look a good bet to join these two in Division One next season as they beat Woodville B 5-3. Bryan Sharratt was man of the match., making the difference with a win with draws in the other three.
The Snookerettes of Spot On D scored another draw as they shared their match with Swad Cons C 4 across. Star lady was Kate Stirling as she beat Andy Boam with Colin Cope replying for The Cons. The other two matches were halved-Clare Peaty with Bob Birch and Gilds Horvath with Gaz Ward.
Belmont C may have ended the outside promotion hopes of Ivanhoe D after winning 6-2 away there. Terry Bosworth, Brain Cutting and Dave Press all had their potting boots for Belmont on whilst Adam Briggs responded with a double for Ivanhoe.
Woodville C had a thumping 7-1 win over Belmont D with wins for Jim Marcer, Denis Moore and Mark Gallagher, Tom Holland, for Belmont , continued his recent good form by taking a frame off Wayne Allen.
Rolleston B were the star side of the week in the division by going away to Burton Cons D and coming away with a maximum. The two Robs, Tubey and Sanders both had twenty plus contributions in their wins whilst Lionel Lewis and Kev Norris were also on target for The Rollers.
In a re-arranged match Spot On E won 7-1 at Rolleston C with wins for Ben Menzies, Jared Cronje and Brad Williams who had a 33 along the way.