2018-19: Week 3

By Mick Buckland

Defending champions Ivanhoe A were given a stiff test away a Belmont A in last week’s stand out fixture of the David Wain Insurance Premier Division. The match began with John Chambers up against Steve Cockeram-after Cockeram had some decent run, eventually Chambers took the first frame on the pink. In the second Chambers cracked in a lovely 39 to seal the frame with some ease. Ant Moore knocked in some nice balls and played some decent safety to snatch his first frame against Rob Chambers who  had a kick in the balls when on 32. Chambers recovered with some excellent safety of his own and took the second comfortably. In the second half Andy Marriott played some Rolls Royce snooker  making breaks of 30 and 51 against Owen Jones. In the second though Andy missed at some crucial points and Owen was grateful to clear the colours for a half. Mark Sherratt won the first against Ian Rennocks after building a lead Rennocks just couldn’t claw back. Ian then had a lovely 53 in the final frame of the evening to leave the score at 5-3 to Belmont who look certain to put in a strong challenge at the top this term.

At Burton Cons it was Derby week and the was the A team who made it three wins from three after a narrow 5-3 victory against the B. Graham Stevens was in imperious form as he beat Simon Smith with runs of  50 and 33 along the way. Graham hardly missed a ball whilst it was Simon’s first time with a cue in his hand since last season. A heavyweight clash took place on Table One with a draw being the outcome between Jon Fletcher of the A and John Shilton of the B- a fair result as both players knocked in some good balls whilst coming to terms with the very reactive new cloth. In the second half Mike Buckland took on Troy Randle, making his league debut after a number of seasons away. In a tight first frame, Buckland squeezed 30 odd in front after making the most of an opportunity in a game of few good chances. He then took it with a good brown before Randle inadvertently potted both blue and pink to make the snookers required impossible. In the second Randle showed himself to be the class act he is by rolling in a lovely 50 to keep the B side in the match. The final encounter was a scrappy affair between Simon Shilton, floating again for the A team , and Darren Coady for the B. Coady just about out-potted Shilton to take the first before Simon had a very nice 34 at the start of the second. Darren clawed his way back and after a lengthy battle down on the colours, forced the frame to a respot. Darren was unable to take the chances given to him by Simon and in the end he rattled one along the baulk cushion for it to nestle over the opposite corner, allowing Simon the simplest of cherries to pick which he duly did.
Tutbury B finally got their season started at the third time of asking and they began with a good 5-3 win over Swad Cons A, who had won their first two fixtures. Bill Stewart and Lee Wood shared their two frames in the first half whilst Andy Grainger continued his good form for The Cons with a comfortable win over Wayne Pereira. It all went Tutbury’s way though after the break with a win for Andy Thompson over Simon Orpwood which included a lovely 36 by Andy. On the other table. Jan Pawlaczyk had too much for Paul Slater to complete the comeback for the Tutters.
Newhall won another close encounter in their match against Belmont B. The match went exactly the same way as the Tutbury v Swad Cons one. There was a half between Callum Coleman and Josh Gebbie before Mark Satchwell put Belmont in control after defeating Martin Hurdman. This game turned on its head as well after the break with victories for Newhall’s Martin Hicks and Nick Walker over Michael Lomas and Arron Vaughan respectively. Nick proving to  be the man of the match as he rolled in efforts of 32 and 31 during his win.
The fifth match of the night also went 5-3 to the home side as all the others had been. Spot On A  just about beating Tutbury A in another very close game. In the first half there were wins for the home side’s Nige Tomlinson and Dave Mabbutt for the Tutters to leave it all square at halfway. The Spots’ Tom Elliott and Steve Mabbutt then shared their two in the second half, leaving to Steve West to secure victory and the bonus winning point by beating John Brentnall.
The final fixture of the week was rearranged to the Friday and went the way of Alrewas A away at Tutbury C by a 6-2 scoreline. Steve Butler of Tutbury secured a half with Karl Hancox after Karl knocked in a nice 31, whilst The Legionnaires’ Lee Louch scored a 30 along the way to beating an out of sorts Wayne Smith. It was a similar story in the second half as Steve Burrows drew with Thom Smith and then John Richardson , for Alrewas, put in a nice display to get past Tom Lucas.

In the PJM Fascias Division One , there was a good 5-3 win for Spot On B over Ivanhoe D. John Hardy and Tony Clements were the men in for for The Spots whilst Matt Tewkesbury replied in similar fashion for the Ashby side. Trevor Heath and Tony Tredger shared theirs to maintain the unbeaten start for The Spots whilst Ivanhoe have started with three straight defeats.
Ivanhoe B were undone 5-3 at home by Alrewas C. Steve Lane continued his good start to the season for Alrewas and he was joined as a winner by Simon Tarrant. The home side’s Bren Mattley scored a good draw with Loz Kennerson whilst Nick Sewell popped in a nice 28 as he beat Steve Butterworth in return for Ashby.
It was Derby day at Rolleston where the A side came away comfortable 6-2 victors against the B. Only Lionel Lewis offered any resistance for the B as he beat Rich O’Dell. Elsewhere there were wins for Mark Press, Tom Bassett and Joe Docksey, with Tom providing the evening’s high contribution of 28. Mark has won all six frames played so far.
Swad Snooker Centre’s B team and Stapenhill B played out a perhaps predictable draw as both sides remain unbeaten at the start of the season. There was nothing to separate John Davis and John Sherriff, and another draw was had between Chris Dewey and Bryan Sharratt. Coming away with victories on the night were the home side’s Andy Goldingay and Greg Britton for the Institute to leave neither side with the extra winning point.
Alrewas B had the week’s outstanding result with a thumping 7-1 scoreline against SDSC C. Micky Morris had runs of 35 and 25 as he brushed past Brian Bloor and Carl Poulton made it 5 frames from 6 for himself personally as he eased by Garton Bloor. Andy Rice was the only name of the Snooker centre’s scoresheet as he drew with Adam Walton. The evening’s top contest went the way of Ian Hiley over Andy Bloor.
Stapenhill A came out on top after a 5-3 home win against Burton Cons C. Steve Ford and Chris Sheldrake were the men doing the damage for The Institute , both scoring wins whilst Ian Shrive played well to make it 5 from 6 for himself with a win over Jason Spibey. The draw between Andy Gretton and the Cons’ new boy Vince Draper meant the the Insitute came away with the bonus point.
Ivanhoe C were left without a fixture after the folding of Spot On C- will all captains now note that this will be a rest week, home and away.

The only side with three wins from three in the Newton Fallowell Division Two is SDSC D. Last week they rolled to a comfortable 6-2 win over Swad Cons C. Kyle Cope’s knock of 28 was trumped by the home side’s talisman Nick Harcombe as he put down a 29 and went on to win 2-0. Joining him on the winner’s podium was Chris Craddock whilst the other two ties were halved between The Snooker Centre’s Ray Stretton and Andy Jeffries with Jordan Watts and Ben Menzies respectively.
The Spot On derby between the club’s newly formed E team and The Snookerettes of the D went the way of the E after three drawn games and a solitary victory on the night for the E team’s James Bailey over Gilda Horvath. There were deserved halves for Marie Bridges, Kate Stirling and Yvonne Lawrence in their matches against Luke Allsopp, Dave Goldsmith and Marvin Walker.
Tutbury D put down a marker for promotion as they smashed 7 past Stapenhill C away from home. Neil Bourne provided the home side’s only relief as he snatched a draw with Colin Bell. Ian Day knocked in a lovely 33 on the way to beating Colin Belcher and there were also wins for Jeff Siddalls and Dave Brady.
Burton Cons D scored an impressive 6-2 win over Woodville A. Al Munnien and Tom Egginton were both on form scoring doubles whilst there were draws in the matches between Greg Hall and Pat Ryan and then Jim Jennings and Tony Coleman.
The Woodville B side fared a little better as they won 5-3 away at Rolleston C. Mark Gallagher and Gary Green had their potting boots on as they eased to victories whilst Denis Moore got The Woodvillains over the line by securing a draw with Aaron Doyle. Steve Atkin was the Rollers’ only victor as he beat Wayne Allen.
The Belmont derby between the club’s C and D teams went the way of the D in an emphatic 6-2 fashion. Brian Cutting and Graeme Drayton were able to stem the tide with draws against Andy Biggadike and Charlie Groves. But the men doing the damage were Matt Groves and Tom Holland, both of whom have enjoyed a great start to the season.