2007-08: Week 7

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM The poisoned chalice of being early leaders of the Premiership took effect last week as leaders Belvedere Park ‘A’ played host to Willington Sports and Social Club ‘A’. The leaders Belvedere state they were happy in the end to come away with a draw. The first game was between Daz Lester and Willington’s Carl Bradbury and it was a firestorm match full of controversy. The first frame involved a mistake with the scoring followed by a score correction and then a miscount. Bradbury then missed a very simple pink when he thought he was way in front and the game all but over. Lester got one snooker and cleared pink and black to win by one point. To say Bradbury was upset would be an under statement and was not happy with the scoring error as he believed he was way in front. In the second, he made lighter work of it with some great safety to level the match. On the other table Craig Keen was up against Jan Pawlazyck and usually Keen is comfortable at home but in the first frame he was out played and out classed by Pawlazyck as he hit top form to dominate the frame. In the second, he was well in front until an unlucky foul allowed Keen to step in with a 35 break and steal the lead, which he never relinquished. All square at the halfway. Owen Jones then went on against Shane Reeves with all to play for. The frames were also shared but Reeves must count himself very unlucky with a succession of fouls that kept Jones in touch and gave him enough to win a frame. The last frames saw the captains play each other as Alan Davies took on Bill Stewart. The first went to the final black, which after several safety shots by both players Stewart potted. All pressure on Davies now who was playing in pain with a stomach bug but he finished it in style and saved the draw. Although unbeaten Belvedere know the top spot is wide open and only requires one team to make that surge. One of those teams is Burton Cons ‘A’ and they certainly showed their quality last week at home to Swad Snooker Centre ‘B’. They whitewashed the visitors with top break on the night going to Jon Fletcher who knocked in an 84 break when beating John Davis. There was another decent break in the match, which was from Neil Townsend who knocked in a 34, and this in itself showed how well his opponent Matt Milnes played as he took both. Is this the start of their season now? Teams must dread reading this column because no sooner that I praise them they take a dip in form, none more so than the following two teams. Firstly, a team I tipped for the top Woodville Working Mens Club ‘A’. They lost again last week and obviously do not travel well and were away at Ivanhoe ‘A’. Only Phil Wright took a frame as they went down 7-1. The other team was Woodville Sports and Social Club ‘A’ who last week were at home to Rolleston ‘A’ and were convincingly beaten 7-1. This snooker pundit needs to be quiet for a week or two and give them a chance. There was a grudge match last week in the first division at Stapenhill Institute as their ‘A’ team played host to their ‘B’ team. It showed perhaps a big divide as the ‘A’ team came out easy winners. Only Mick Comley for the ‘B’ team came away with a frame and that was off Steve Ford. The good news was that Paul Smith and Carl Jeffcoate came off table two at 10.30pm both taking all their frames. Dave Shenton is definitely worthy of the premiership as he took another two frames for the 7-1 win. Swad Snk Centre ‘D’ took a surprisingly but well deserved lead in their match last week away at the fortress of Ivanhoe ‘C’. It came from Tony Mitchell who took two off Mick Kirk and there will not be many who do that this season. However, Steve Cockeram soon counter balanced it on the other table who took both off Ray Bancroft to level it. The final two matches were shared for the final match draw. Swad Cons ‘A’ continue to impress at the top of this division and last week they were away at Swad Snk Cen ‘C’ and were showing no mercy. Paul Berry, Kev Dixon and John Chambers took all their frames with Chambers on top form and taking man of the match with breaks of 50 and 31 in his win over Pete Maguire Jnr. The only home player to take a frame was Rich Hinks who levelled with Darren Noble. Now I have praised this team most weeks and they have not dipped yet so it perhaps only applies to the premiership. In the second division, Swad Snk Centre ‘F’ have Clinton Sherratt to thank for their well deserved win at home last week to Ivanhoe D. He played out of his skin against Stuart Tagg to take both. It was also nice to see young 14-year-old Andrew Grainger take a frame off Paul Wileman. The other two matches were also levelled with the highest break of the night coming from Ivanhoe’s Brendon Mattley who stepped his game up to take a frame off Simon Mansfield with a 27 break. Swad were happy with a 5-3 win. John Carr ‘B’ was upset not to come away with a point at home to Alrewas British Legion ‘B’ last week. New player Austin Cox played well but was unfortunate enough to lose two black ball games against Tony Trueman not the sort of thing you want on your debut. The Legion’s top player Micky Morris took another two frames this time off John Peto and the match was won by the one frame from Brian Eccleston when playing Daniel Pearsall. For John Carr Steve Pearsall was their top player taking both off Josh Hunt. The top clash in this division occurred at Newhall Social Club ‘B’ who played host to front-runners John Carr ‘C’. However even with the new cellar advantage at Newhall, John Carr did the business coming away with a 7-1 win. It saw Mick Baxter knock in breaks of 22 and 21 in his two-frame win over Rob Press and Martin Beard knocked in another 21 in his draw with Dave Wain. Mark King and Gary Chambers were the other winners for John Carr. John Richardson of Stapenhill ‘C’ knocked in a 26 break as his team played host to Riley’s ‘B’ last week. However, he only took the one off Gary Mayne and really that is how the match ended, all square! In the third division Newhall Social Club ‘C’ had a good away win last week at Swad Cons ‘D’ as Jay Hayward and Joe McNulty took all their frames with McNulty knocking in a 23 break. However, on the night Kev Starkey for Cons took the highest break with a 31, which should have been more as he rattled a black in the jaws. He took two off Jonny Howlett. The other match between John Griffin and Josh Storer ended level for the Newhall 5-3 win. Gordon Jennings of John Carr ‘D’ cannot because of work commit himself every week to play but when he does he is the shining light and last week at home to Belmont ‘D’ he was John Carr’s only player to take two frames as they went down 5-3.

2007-08: Week 6

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE WK 6 REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM Well my report last week was obviously the kiss of death for Woodville Working Mens Club ‘A’ when they visited one of the teams fighting for the title Belvedere Park ‘A’. The young Woodville team arrived at Belvedere all pumped up expecting to put in a good performance, but it was the experienced Belvedere side that performed on the night, and what a performance as they whitewashed the young side. They were perhaps their own worst enemies as when they missed a shot they seemed to beat themselves up and with their heads down it made it easier for Belvedere who can turn over any team at home. It started with Graham Bailey who hates playing at Belvedere and the experience of his opponent Craig Keen and all Bailey’s bad luck did nothing to change his mood as he lost both. On the other table Mark Satchwell was having similar luck as Owen Jones made quick work of taking another two. Alan Davies then took his first with ease against Martin Smith soon followed by a second. The final match between Ryan Gilmore and Phil Wright was probably the best to watch and the first was very open and it was down to Wright missing two vital shots to give Gilmore the edge to take the first. In the second Wright fell 42 points behind with only the colours on (possible 27). Probably realising a whitewash was on the cards Wright dug in and started to show his class as he got all the snookers required and had a chance to take it but fell at the final blue. Belvedere must fancy their chances after a result like that and they are back in the race. Another team after the title are Woodville Sports and Social Club ‘A’ who last week were away at Burton Cons ‘B’ and they also came away with a whitewash victory and the team of John Hardy, Trevor Heath, Steve Gaunt and Tony Clements seem to be playing with a passion and point to prove having been refused to play at Rileys as they were the old Spot On ‘A’ side. I am looking forward to their first meeting on 13th December when they play host to the new Rileys ‘A’ team. Belmont ‘A’ is happy to get another win under their belts last week as they played host to Ivanhoe ‘A’. The match also saw a couple of decent breaks with man of the match Ian Archer knocking in a 40 break in his two frame victory over Tony Eyre. It was a vital two frames as all other players drew giving Belmont the 5-3 win. The other break was made by Ivanhoe’s Matt Grey who knocked in a 33 in the frame he took off Steve Burton. Burton Cons ‘A’ came away from Rolleston ‘A’ with a win last week. Danny Thompson and Kev Norris were the only Rolleston players to take a frame each. There were again two breaks worthy of a mention and the highest came from Jon Fletcher who knocked in a 44 break in his two-frame victory over Andy Winson. The other came from Matt Milnes who knocked in a 32 when he drew with Thompson. In the first division, Swad Cons ‘A’ continue their charge on the title and eventual promotion as they took on Stapenhill ‘A’ last week. Vince Draper took on Steve Ford and took both. John Chambers did the same to Paul Smith. The in form Dave Shenton was Stapenhill’s only victor taking two off Mick Abbott. Man of the match was Darren Noble who took both off Carl Jeffcoate and it included a 42 break. The team of Tutbury ‘B’ in their second season in this division having been relegated from the Premier are a team that should be there or thereabouts at the top at the end of the season but last week they met an awkward side Belvedere Park ‘B’. Neil Swindale ground Dave Mabbott into submission and took both frames off him and not many will lay claim to that this season. The match was levelled as Steve Mabbott did the same to John Sherriff on the other table. Chris Mabbott with the aid of a 28 break took both off Tim Knopik. Belvedere pulled off the away draw with two frames from Chris Gould with the last frame on the final black. There was a cracking break at Swad Snk Centre last week as their ‘D’ team played host to Belmont ‘C’ another young side trying to get in the premier. It came from Paul Eaton who took two from Andy Jeffries and knocked in a 57 break to the applause of spectators. Nigel Dutton and Dave Rushton also took all their frames. The only frame taken by Swad was from Ray Stretton when he drew with Conrad Thomas. Finally in this division there was another break from Mick Kirk of Ivanhoe ‘C’ when he knocked in a 36 in his two frame victory over Simon Peichowicz of Stapenhill ‘B’ . However, it was not enough to save his team as they went down 5-3. In the second division Swad Snk Cen ‘E’ were expecting a rough ride when they greeted the inform Newhall Social Club ‘B’ team last week. As it turned out, they put on a cracking performance with Brian Bloor taking both off Rob Press and Andrew Bloor taking two off Andy Rice. Rob McNulty and Garton Bloor played their part taking one frame each with Garton only loosing the one frame he lost on the final black for the 6-2 win. Grudge match last week at John Carr when their ‘C’ team played host to their ‘B’ team and it saw the ‘C’ team captain drop himself for ‘Rizzy’ and what an inspired decision it was as ‘Rizzy’ played Daniel Pearsall and it turned out to be a match of stunning shots that they shared. This equalled the other table that Mick Baxter drew with Graham Smith for 2-2 at the halfway stage. Gary Chambers and Mark King then did the business for the ‘C’ team taking all their frames for the 6-2 win. Three breaks in this division worthy of a mention two of which came from Dave Watson of Ivanhoe ‘D’ in his two frame win over Tim James of Rolleston ‘B’. He knocked in a 33 and a 31 and it paved the way to his teams 6-2 win. The other break came from Adam Farrington of Rileys ‘B’ who knocked in a 29 in his two-frame win over Clinton Sherratt of Swad Snk Centre ‘F’. It also went towards his teams 6-2 win. In the third division Belmont ‘D’ had an excellent whitewash victory over Swad Cons ‘D’ last week Gaz Ward took his first easily but was held back by John Griffin in the second until he potted the blue to take two. Rick Davies won his first on the pink and then took the second more easily. Doug Lees knocked in a 20 break in taking two off Steve Jones and Aaron Vaughan pipped him with a 22 break when taking the second frame in a frame he looked like loosing to his opponent Andy Hall. It was Hall who was having no running as the first was handed to Vaughan as Hall went in off the final blue to give Vaughan the chance to take it, which he did.

2007-08: Week 5

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM After the luxury of the Presidents cup we are now back to league business and none more so than in The Premiership. What an impact Woodville Working Mens Club are making in their long awaited return back to the top flight. This young ‘A’ team are carrying on their shoulders the reputation of this established club who were in the top flight years ago before disbanding. I dare say their ambition is to take the Premiership title at their first attempt having been promoted from the third division to the premiership in four seasons and with the side they have I can see them doing it. Last week they were at home to Belmont ‘A’ and the match started with Mark Satchwell drawn against Steve Burton and as usual Burton was getting no running as he lost the first and in the second it was his turn to break and the frustration was showing as he completely missed the pack for a foul. Satchwell took it more easily than the first, On the other table it was nice to see the return of Phil Wright and he had lost none of his skills and looked the business as he took two off Shaun Gebbie. Steady Graham Bailey was too good for John Straw and before you knew it they are 6-0 up. The strength of Belmont was shown in the display by Ian Archer who on his day is as good if not better than anyone in the league. He was up against Simon Smith who on the night was the best player for Woodville but Archer was just in great form. Woodville however are happy to settle for 6-2. There was a home derby last week at Burton Cons when the ‘A’ team played host to the ‘B’ team. Perhaps the ‘A’ team thought they were in for a heavy win but perhaps it was somewhat closer than the score line suggests. Dave Budworth held Stuart Roberts and Phil Ball held Mick Simpkins. That was the ‘B’ teams only winners but Brian Alford took Jon Fletcher to the last couple of colours in each frame and he feels disappointed not to have taken one. Matt Milnes was to strong for Bill Davidson and the ‘A’ took a 6-2 win. Tutbury Institute ‘A’ with their newly promoted side are not intimidated by premiership opposition and are holding their own as last week they played host to one of the title favourites Belvedere Park ‘A’. Russ Banner held Ryan Gilmore and Lee Causer held Owen Jones for it to be all square at the halfway point. Craig Keen was to strong for Roy Walker but man of the match for Tutbury was Mark Press who saved the day by taking both off Darren Lester, for the team draw. Woodville Sports and Social Club ‘A’ if you recall are the old Spot On ‘A’ and last week they were at home to Newhall Social Club ‘A’ and on paper it looked to be an interesting meeting. John Hardy took all the glory for Woodville as he was the only player on the night to take two frames and that was off young Lee Sherratt. The best match to watch though was Tony Clements and Newhall’s Wayne Brewin both strong potters and Brewin had breaks of 29 and 31 but only took one frame. Ivanhoe ‘A’ lured Swadlincote Snk Cen ‘A’ to their fortress last week and it saw the home side pull off a great result as George Cawkwell took two off Chris Dewey and stalwart Jack Bale took both off Geoff Pritchard for a 4-0 lead. Then Richard Bithell held Steve Ayre and on the other table Tony Eyre took a frame off Neil Townsend for the 6-2 win. In the first division the Swad Cons ‘A’ team are still on the march with a superb performance away from home at Ivanhoe ‘C’. Vince Draper and Darren Noble started proceedings off with Draper taking two off Dave Marriot. However, Noble had a harder battle and was held to a draw by Warner Collins. That was it for the home side as all the other frames went to the Cons side with John Chambers beating Steve Cockeram with a 27 clearance in the first and a 38 break in the second. Mick Abbott swept up with a victory over Jason Collins. Can anybody stop them? Our star match last week was at Belmont Club ‘B’ when they played host to Alrewas British Legion ‘A’ trying to hold their own in this division and what a great start they had when Alan Wilson soundly thrashed Rich Goldby, which has never happened before especially at home. Wilson even knocked in the highest break of the night with a 32. On the other table it was a different kettle of fish with Mark Vaughan playing Roy Sherratt, playing a totally slower game with bouts of safety. Vaughan however was never threatened and took two to level it. In the second half Graeme Oates put on a great performance thrashing Paul Twigg in the first and compiling a 30 break. The second was closer and Twigg took it on the final blue. The final match saw Pete Birkin take his first to the applause of his team mates when playing Will Sherratt. The final frame of the night went to the final black and Sherratt pulled off an unbelievable pot down the rail into the bottom bag to earn the draw for the team. The highest break in this division went to Dave Shenton of Stapenhill ‘A’ knocking in a 47 when playing Tom Eggington of Burton Cons ‘C’. The match was actually a game of two tables. Steve Ford and Shenton were on the first table and took all their frames within an hour and a half. On the other table home players Paul Smith and Carl Jeffcoate both levelled their matches in a long drawn out affair that finished 3 hours 10 minutes later when all other player had to be woken up and told to go home. Another high break was a 42 made by Mitch Hughes of Rileys ‘A’ when they played Rolleston ‘A’ last week. Hughes took both off Danny Thompson as the Rolleston side went down 6-2. Belvedere Park ‘B’ had Neil Swindale to thank for their 5-3 win over Swad Snk Cen ‘D’ last week as he was the only player on the night to take two frames and it included a 30 break. In the second division, Swad Cons ‘B’ played host to Ivanhoe ‘D’ and got off to a great start with Richard Hutchings and Bob Birch taking 2 frames each. Birch was recovering from his highest break of the season – 4 metatarsal bones in his left foot. It was Craig Wilson who took the vital winning frame from Dave Watson of Ivanhoe who does not lose many. Brendon Mattley took the last two frames of the night for Ivanhoe to make the score line look respectable. Watch out for Newhall Social Club ‘B’ who I am going to tip for promotion even at this early stage. Last week they were at home to Drakelow ‘A’ and came out 7-1 winners with Dave Wain taking man of the match with a 28 break. John Ward of Rolleston ‘B’ had a couple of breaks last week worthy of a mention when they were at home to Rileys ‘B’. He knocked in a 21 and a 29 in his first frame with Adam Farrington. In the second Farrington pulled it back for the draw. The whole match ended level. In the third division the newly formed team of Swad Snk Cen ‘G’ are looking good for their first season and last week soundly beat Swad Cons ‘D’ away from home. The main strike force appears to be Danny Goodhead and Curtis Marston who took all their frames with Goodhead knocking in the highest break of the night with a 25. There was another 25 break in this division and that was made by Ben Woodward of Woodville Sports and Social Club ‘B’ when they visited Burton Cons ‘D’. Woodward played Callum Finnegan and he had the break in the first but Finnegan came back and took the frame and the second. On the other table young Luke Hudson also lost two for Cons to be 4-0 at the halfway. Then a frame each from Pat Finnegan and Paul Davies gave them a well needed 6-2 win.

2007-08: Week 3

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM We are a few results short this week due to postal problems but there are still matches to report on and none more so than a good home win by Belmont Club ‘A’ last week when playing host to Rolleston ‘A’. Shaun Gebbie took the man of the match taking two frames off Tony Rushton and he did it with a modest in size but impressive in quality break of 31, developing safe balls at crucial times. Belmont was already 4-0 with frames from Ian Archer who had already knocked in a 31 and Kev Elkin back in the fold. It was left to Rolleston’s Danny Thompson to make sure his team did not leave empty handed and he did it by taking the last two frames off John Straw. Its been a few years since a team called Woodville Working Mens Club were in the top flight but when the club pulled out the league it was great to see a young side start up again 3 or 4 years ago, and of course they started in the lowest division and have been promoted every season till they got to the top and now they have to make their mark in the premiership and if they could ever take the title the old players at the club would be so proud. Last week they played host to the newly formed team of Swadlincote Snooker Centre ‘A’. Mark Satchwell was on top in both frames against Steve Ayre and he compiled breaks of 34 and 42. Martin Smith then drew with Chris Dewey for Woodville to be 3-1 up at the halfway. Graham Bailey was then able to hold the talents of Neil Townsend to a draw. However Simon Smith has taken to the top flight with ease taking both of John Davis for a good 6-2 win. Burton Cons ‘A’ got their first win under their belts with a home win against Willington ‘A’. All credit goes to Matt Milnes and Stuart Roberts who took all their frames convincingly. Jan Prewlazyck took one for Willington by taking the second frame off Mick Simpkins. Man of the match for Willington though was Gary Barker who played an excellent match against John Fletcher. In the first both were missing shots and Fletcher was to strong at the end. In the second Barker was commanding always having Fletcher on his back foot forcing him to take shots on to try and get back in the frame and when missing leaving Barker to finish it. Anyway a 6-2 win is a great start for one of the possible favourites. In the First Division Swad Snooker Cen ‘C’ was at home to the in form Belmont ‘B’ and it saw Adam Harrison and Lee Wright play some cracking snooker to take all frames off brothers Paul Twigg and Mark Vaughan. Swad were unable to clinch the win though as Pete Birkin potted really well to take both off Pete Maguire Snr and Andy Straw won both his on two black ball frames against Pete Maguire Jnr for the draw. Stapenhill ‘A’ at home to Alrewas British Legion ‘A’ saw Paul Smith be the man of the match he took the only two frames of the night when playing Roy Sherratt. He also knocked in a 32 break to cap it. The two frames gave his team the needed win. Belmont ‘C’ were at home to Burton Cons ‘C’ and it all ended square with Steve Hathaway taking two for Cons and Paul Boyle taking two for Belmont. The other matches were drawn. In the second division John Carr ‘C’ look a really good side on paper but were held at home to a draw by old faithfuls Swad Snk Cen ‘E’. Mick Baxter put the home side on their way with a 2 frame win over Brian Bloor but on the other table Mark King lost two to Garton Bloor. Frame 3 saw Rizzy Akhtar level with Andrew Bloor even with Bloor knocking in a 29 break in the first and a 28 in the second. It just left top flight player Gary Chambers for John Carr to play Rob McNulty and frames were even. In the third division Burton Cons ‘D’ had their first home defeat and it was at the hands of Belmont ‘D’ with the visitors hero being Gaz Ward who too both frames off Trevor Hayes. It was the only 2 frame victory of the night with all others drawing. Swadlincote Snk Cen ‘G’ record yet another win in this division when away at Newhall Social Club ‘D’. The impressive Curtis Marston got another 2 frames when playing Dave Jackson but Gordon Smith fought back on the other table taking both off Ben Meredith. The match went Swads way with two frames off Daniel Goodhead and one from Jez Ironside and this young newly formed Swad side could do well in this division.

2007-08: Week 4

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM It is going to take some predicting this season as to who will win the Premiership and there will certainly be no runaway winners. Last week saw the game between Newhall Social Club ‘A’ and one of the favourites Burton Cons ‘A’. The match was postponed due to commitments and played on Monday night just gone and Newhall showed they hear to upset and even fancy their own chances for the top when they pulled off a great home win with Ady McDonnell taking the heroes podium being the only player to take two frames by beating Stuart Roberts and gaining the 5-3 home win. The other Burton Cons side in the top flight the ‘B’ team played host last week to Rileys ‘A’ and bearing in mind that the Rileys team was in fact last years Burton Cons ‘B’ team until an out of season defection so it was interesting match to forecast. The new Cons side were under the Cosh from the start with Mitch Hughes taking two quick frames off Phil Ball. Brian Alford was able to apply the breaks on the other table drawing with Zaheer Hussain. As we all know, what comes with good play is the luck and the running and the match saw four black ball games all of which went to Riley’s and the scoreline does not really reflect how close the match was. However Tim Hodgkinson taking both off Dave Budworth knocked a 31 break and Lee Dowey taking two from Bill Davidson knocked in the highest break of the night with a 32. In the first division a notice of intent has been issued by Swad Cons ‘A’ when they turned out a full strength team at home last week to Belmont ‘C’. They produced two players from the remains of last years Premiership champions in the shape of John Chambers and Darren Noble. It was Noble who started proceedings and lay the foundations to the whitewash victory. He was however outshone by Cons Paul Berry who had breaks of 32 and 28 and finished it in his second with a 35 clearance over Paul Boyle who is Belmonts in form player. John Chambers and Cons stalwart Mick Abbott swept up for the 8-0 win. If they turn out this same side each week they could walk this division. Burton Cons ‘C’ at home last week faced Ivanhoe ‘C’ and got off to a cracking start thanks to Steve Hathaway and Joe Ellis who took all their frames. In the second half Mick Kirk came on against yours truly and he was well behind on the colours wanting a couple of snookers and he got them forcing a black ball game that I was so pleased to pot guaranteeing the win. In the second Kirk was 24-0 behind and then compiled a superb 46 break that broke down when he went out of position and playing safe. He followed it with a couple of 20 plus breaks winning by a huge margin as I finished up with one more point just 25. On the other table Jason Collins got another frame back for Ivanhoe but Tom Eggington the seasoned campaigner that he is fought back to take the second. In the second division Riley’s ‘B’ were pleased to get a decent win under the belts and it was at the expense of Swad Cons ‘B’ who could only turn out three players. Alan Jowett was the only Cons player to take a frame but man of the match went to Riley’s Paul Fox who in taking two frames of Richard Hutchings also knocked in a 32 break. Ivanhoe ‘D’ also had a cracking win at home last week to Newhall ‘B’ with only Stuart Tagg dropping a frame to Rob Press. Dave Watson, Paul Wileman and Jeff Whetton took all their frames. Burton cons ‘D’ are not doing well on the road and last week lost away at Newhall Social Club ‘C’ with Joe McNulty taking the praise as being the only player to take two frames when he beat Pat Finnegan

2007-08: Week 2

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM Second week of the season and everybody seems a bit jittery and its time for some unusual results until everyone settles down. At this early stage it is hard to pick a favourite particularly now that the reigning champions Swadlincote Snooker Centre ‘A’ split up before the start of this season. I suppose on paper Belvedere Park ‘A’ and Burton Cons ‘A’ should be favourites in the Premiership and with them playing each other last week we may have some kind of indication as to which one. However that was not the case. It was both their first matches of the season and there was the odd sign of quality from both sides. Craig keen was on first against Jonathan Fletcher and he lost the first on the pink, but in the second compiled a 42 break to level their match. Daz Lester then played out another fair draw against Stuart Roberts to be all square at half time. On next was Owen Jones against Matt Milnes and Jones took full advantage of his out of season practice sessions to take both of a very rusty Milnes. It was then upto the captains to decide the result as Alan Davies for Belvedere yet again drew Cons Mick Simpkins. It saw Davies miss an easy black for the first only to watch Simpkins put it away and then go on to win the second to level the meeting 4-4. Rolleston ‘A’ saw Tony ‘The Cue’ Rushton make his debut in the first team when his side were at home to Swadlincote Snk Cen ‘B’. What a debut it was with Rushton taking on the talents of Chris Dewey and took both frames convincingly. With all other players drawing it was such an important win for the debutant. Not wishing to put the kiss of death on them at this early stage but Willington ‘A’ look to have found some good form when normally they have a shocking start to the season and have to pull out all the stops near the end to save themselves. Last week they had an impressive home win against Riley’s ‘A’ (Old Spot On Club). It all looked a bit dour to start with as Mitch Hughes for Riley’s knocked in a 47 when playing Shane Reeves which it transpires was the highest break of the night. Reeves got his act together in the second and stopped the rot to level. Gary Barker is a player to watch and has been for a couple of season and last week he put paid to anything that Lee Dowey of Riley’s had to offer. Bill Stewart continued Willington’s progress with his best start to a season taking another two frames this time from Shaun Golding. The last frames saw Zaheer Hussain and Jan Pawlawzyk level. In the first division Belmont ‘B’ are starting well and they were impressive at home last week to Stapenhill ‘A’. Rich Goldby was to hot for Paul Smith taking both frames adding to Smith’s misery as he has not took a frame at the Belmont club for a couple of seasons. On the other table Mark Vaughan was having two slow games with Dave Shenton ending level. A brighter game also saw Andy Straw and Jeff Sidwells also take one each, but man of the match went to Paul Twigg who took two convincing frames from Carl Jeffcoate both by 40 plus points. Swad Cons ‘A’ have got off the mark with a win at home last week against Tutbury ‘B’ and it saw two high breaks. One from visitor Dave Mabbott with a 40 when taking two fames off Vince Draper and then a 51 from Cons Paul Berry in his two frame win over Brian Holmes. In the second division Drakelow ‘A’ looked to be on the receiving end of a battering when playing host to John Carr ‘C’ last week. Mick Baxter was to strong for Mark Tinker taking both and then Mark King took the first off Alistair Orpwood for a 3-0 lead. Orpwood then tightened his game to take the next. The last two matches went to Drakelow with Pat Ryan taking both off Rizzy and Alan Orpwood taking both off a luckless Martin Beard to force an excellent win for the home side. Stapenhill ‘C’ showed some good form last week at home to Swad Cons ‘B’ with John Richardson knocking in breaks of 20 and 27 and then Karl Hancox knocking in a 31 in the teams 5-3 victory over the Cons. There were a couple of other decent breaks in this division. The first was a 38 from Paul Fox of Rileys ‘B’ in their 6-2 win over John Carr ‘B’. The other was a 35 from Mick Morris of Alrewas British Legion ‘B’ when he took two frames of Ivanhoe ‘D’s Brendan Mather. However it was not enough as all Morris’s team mates lost all their frames for a 6-2 defeat. In the third division Swad Snk Cen ‘G’ recorded their second win this time at home to Burton Cons ‘D’. Curtis Marston started off and looked to be having a tough time against Callum Finnegan until knocking in a 26 break and ended up taking both with Finnegan always behind. Danny Goodinton matched it with a 2 frame win over Pat Finnegan. The winners came from Ben Meredith and Dean Wileman who took a frame each for the 6-2 win. John Carr ‘D’ recorded an 8-0 whitewash victory at home last week against Newhall SC ‘D’ without their star player Gordon Jennings. Will he get back in the side now?

2007-08: Week 1

BURTON AND DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE REPORT BY MICK HICKEBOTTOM It’s the start of another new snooker season and always an exciting time seeing how promoted and relegated sides cope, and to see how out of season transfers are working. This season had more changes of players and teams than I can ever remember. It would take a complete weeks match report to explain what’s happened, but it will all come out in the weekly reports to come. However it is always a shaky start in the first matches of the season. As usual a lot of matches were re arranged due to some player’s commitments. Belmont ‘A’ had a poor season in the last run out for their standards and this season looks to be in the same vein with an opening home loss to Newhall Social Club ‘A’. It started with Fran McNulty holding the experienced Ian Archer to a draw. Then Ady McDonnell took on Steve Burton winning both frames. The first, on a re spotted black, and the second on the pink. Wayne Brewin then faced Shaun Gebbie and took both frames. The final pairing saw Belmont’s John Straw take on Newhall’s young Lee Sherratt. This match saw the highest break of the night with Sherratt knocking in a 38 in the first, for a 6-2 away win. Swadlincote Snooker Centre were up against the newly formed side of Burton Cons ‘B’. The first half saw Cons 4-0 down with Chris Dewey taking both off Phil Ball and Townsend taking both of Brian Alford, but Alford certainly had his chance to take their first. Dave Budworth then repaired some of the damage by taking two frames off John Davis . The last match saw Steve Ayre take both off Bill Davidson. In the First Division Belmont ‘B’ are out to make an impact and recorded a good away 5-3 win at the fortress of Ivanhoe ‘C’. The home side started well with Steve Cockram taking both off Pete Birkin and it included a 31 break. However, brothers Paul Twigg and Mark Vaughan put their stamp on the match taking all their frames for Belmont. It was then down to Ivanhoe’s Warner Collins to save the match and rescue a draw. However Andy Straw took the one frame for the win. Stapenhill ‘A’ look like a team that will be fighting for promotion this season and flexed their muscles at home to Swadlincote Snk Cen ‘C’. There was no doubt that a whitewash looked to be on the cards with Steve Ford, Dave Shenton and Paul Smith taking all their frames. However Carl Jeffcoate took his first but the last frame went down to the black and Jeffcoate went in off to give the one frame to Swad. Swadlincote Snk Cen ‘D’ with four players playing for the first time in this division, put on a great performance at home to the well established team of Swadlincote Cons ‘A’. The Cons side included the talents of Darren Noble and he took both off Ray Stretton and included in it was a 38 break. On the other table, Andy Jeffries out-did him with a 41 break when he took two off Cons Mick Abbott. All square at half time and it remained that way with Tony Mitchell holding Paul Berry to a draw even with Berry knocking in a 34 break, and Phil Maddocks levelling with Kev Dixon. In Division 2 the club of John Carr saw one of several home derby matches with three teams in this division this season when their ‘B’ team played host to their ‘A’ team. The match went in favour of the ‘A’ team with Steve Castledine and Dave Plunket taking all their frames, but Castledine’s opponent Graham Smith was unlucky to lose the first. Daniel Pearsall took two off Graham Tansley but the winner for the ‘A’ team came from Dennis Ganley who drew with John Peto. In the third Division Newhall Social Club ‘D’ put last season to rest with a comfortable 6-2 home win last week against Swad Cons ‘D’. Dan Jackson and his father Dave, won all their frames and Dan took his first with a 22 break. Ken Bailey led all the way against Kev Starkey and took both frames. Jon Petcher saved Cons blushes with two off Gordon Smith who made up for it by showing no mercy with the after match food. Apparently nothing changes.