In the Just Wood Premier Division, the league champions, Burton Cons signed off in great style, beating Willington A 8-0, which is a tremendous result because Willington are a team in fifth place in the division. Stuart Roberts was in very good form, taking both frames off Gaz Barker who, incidentally, knocked in a 30 break and lost! Stuart did well as Gaz has only lost twice this season. Mat Milnes, the Cons master break builder of the season, was at it again, knocking in four breaks of 52, 43, 36 and 35. In winning both frames, Mat’s opponent, Bill Stewart had plenty of time to enjoy Mat’s superb potting. Not to be out done, Jonathan Fletcher knocked in a 46 break in beating Wayne Pieria. Owen Jones played some excellent snooker in beating Jan Pawlazych.
A draw for Ivanhoe B at home to runners-up Newhall A helped to keep them in the Premier division for another season. Ivanhoe got off to a great start, thanks to Jason Pickering taking two well deserved frames off Mark Satchwell. James Dean, the new boy for Ivanhoe, lost the first frame to Fran McInulty where, with a bit of luck, he could have won it. James won the next frame to put Ivanhoe 3-1 up at the turn. He also made a 25 break in the frame he won. Newhall’s Wayne Brewin won two battling frames against Brendon Mattley. Wayne made two breaks of 41 and 39. The ‘in form’ John Skellett secured an impressive draw for the team, by taking both frames off Adam McInulty, which was an outstanding performance. John also made a very good 42 break.
Belmont A finished on a high after beating middle of the table SDSC A 7-1. Not for the first time this season did Sturmy Archer and Graham Bailey get them off to a perfect start. Graham, playing some good steady snooker, beat John Davis. Sturmy Archer, Belmont’s player of the year, has been in outstanding form all season, and has only been beaten once this season which takes some doing. Sturmy won both frames against Andy Goldingay, another player who does not lose many, knocked in a creditable 34 break. Shaun Gebbie had two tough frames against Steve Ayre, with honours being shared – the right result. It was good to see Mark Press back in the team after not being available for some weeks due to an eye problem, he was back in the groove taking both frames off Chris Dewey.
SDSC B are relegated after losing to Belmont B 6-2. SDSC’s Mr Reliable, Simon Orpwood drew with Miffa Smith, which included a 31 break by Simon. Belmont’s Rich Goldby put them 3-1 up at the turn, by beating Brian Bloor and also knocking in a 31 break. A draw between two experienced players, Andy Bloor and Mark Vaughan. Arron Vaughan played very well to beat Garton Bloor, Arron has made the step up from the lower divisions to Premier division, with very few problems.
Relegated Stapenhill A lost 6-2 at home to the resurgent Tutbury A. Stapenhill’s Andy Tomlinson, made short work of beating Dave ‘Silver Fox’ Powell. After that it was a great night for the Tutters. Steve Hathaway easily took the first frame off Tim Knopik, it was very close in the second frame, with Steve winning it on the black. To make it 2-2 at the turn. Chris Mabbott and Steve Ford battled it out in both frames, only for Chris to win both frames, and knocked in a 27 break in each frame. Dave Mabbott saw off Carlos Jeffcoate in some style.
A good draw for Rileys A away to Willington B. Rileys A’s form over the last few weeks has been quite good, enabling them to pull away from the relegation zone. Martin Riddell of Rileys was in good form, taking both frames against Dave McWhinney. John Hardy and Michael Lomas drew two scrappy frames. Steve Gaunt and Zaheer also drew, but their match was a lot more entertaining with some good potting. Tony Clements earned Willington the draw by beating the luckless Michael Dewsbury.
In the David Wain Insurance Division, congratulations to Rileys D for winning their third consecutive promotion, with their thrashing of Rolleston A 7-1 away. Mike Flanagan was in terrific form, taking both frames fairly easily against Bob Tubey. Mark Stirling’s win against Bob Sanders gave Rileys a 4-0 lead at the turn. This continued as Mickey Tonks took both frames off Tony Rushton. Rolleston’s Kev Norris took their only frame against Rich Foster, when sharing the spoils. This defeat ended Rolleston’s hopes of promotion into the Premier Division.
The runners up slot goes to Ivanhoe C, who have only lost three games all season, and they finished with a defeat against Rileys B, who won 6-2 despite a late surge, they failed to get the third promotion slot. For Rileys, Adam Bridges played exceptionally well to take a frame off Gaz Dolman. Gaz made a 22 break in the frame he won. Ade Harper made a 33 break in one of his frames, as he defeated Jerry Cook. Andy Speirs got the two frames for Rileys victory, beating Darren Wilson. The irrepressible Mark King enjoyed two great frames of snooker against Steve Cockerham. Steve made a 42 break in winning his frame, then Mark knocked in a quick fire 22 break to take his frame.
A home defeat for Ivanhoe D against Burton Cons B 7-1 condemns them to a relegation spot along with Drakelow and Burton Cons C. The Cons have left their promotion push a little too late, but Simon Smith was in a bit of a hurry in beating George Cawkwell fairly comfortably. Jason Anguish played some very good snooker against Alan Richardson to win both frames. Acting captain, Tom Egginton did not let the team down by beating Jason Collins in some style. Ivanhoe’s Barry Fieldsend won the frame to prevent the whitewash, but could not stop Dave Shipton knocking in a 27 break, and winning a frame.
An excellent draw away from home for Woodville A as they staved off the threat of relegation against Stapenhill B. John Richardson and Andy Grainger had two close frames with honours shared. Colin Britton and Simon Mansfield shared two scrappy frames. Woodville’s Lee Wood was in very good form, taking both frames off Greg Britton. Stapenhill’s Stan Piechowczi was again their saviour this week, beating Paul Slater to earn them all a well deserved draw.
Belmont C showed Drakelow no mercy, beating them 6-2. Belmont’s Lee Turner was always the most likely of the two to win both frames, beating Mark Baxter. Alan Orpwood and Dickie Davis had two quick frames of snooker, with neither player deserving to win both. Tony Coleman and Paul Eaton also drew, with Tony needing to pot pink and black to win. In the second frame, Paul was always in control of the frame. Kevin Ramsell played some amazing pots in the first frame in beating Pat Ryan. Kevin gave away around thirty points in fouls in the second frame, but was still good enough to win the frame.
SDSC D ended their season on a high, by beating Burton Cons D 6-2. Adey McDonnell won two tight frames against Steve Castledine. Carl White and Mick Buckland had a really close match with honours even. Skipper, David Wain and Paul Davies had two long a scrappy frames, but David was happy as he won both of them. Lee Sherratt and Ian Shrive drew two entertaining frames with some very good potting by both players.
In the Rileys Division Two, the current form team in this division is yet another team from Alrewas. The C team have just put paid to Newhall B’s hopes of getting the promotion slot, by beating them 7-1 at Newhall. Alrewas have just won their tenth consecutive match – if they had shown this form all season, they would have been chasing their A and D teams. Karl Hancox kept Callum Gray under control, winning both frames. Karl is more than a useful player in this division. Nigel Edwards and Colin Wood won both of their matches fairly comfortably against Ricki Higgs and Jonny Howlett respectively. The match of the night was between Carl Glover and Rob McMeecham. Carl won the first frame to prevent the whitewash in some style, with two breaks of 20 and 25. Rob retaliated with a break of 22, and winning it on the black.
Willington C were again in fine form, beating Woodville C 6-2. For Willington, Steve Lane was again in good form, taking two good frames off Richard Thornewell. Alan Parry, the snooker player, not the commentator, won two scrappy and drawn out frames against Eric Thornewell. For the second week running, Woodville’s Alan Shuttleworth has had very little good running, this time against Steve Butterworth. Well done to Woodville’s golfing expert, Terry Eyley, who potted very well to beat Darren Harris.
Tutbury C lost at home to Rolleston B 3-5. For Rolleston, Aaron Doyle took both frames off Mark Storr, apparently Aaron’s favourite colour on the night was yellow, where he made a break of 12, which included four yellows. This was rather unusual, as he turned down far easier pots on the pink and black to pot the more difficult yellows. Lee Cooke beat Graham Fisher to put them 4-0 up at the turn. Tutbury’s Graham Smith made the score a lot better by beating John Ward. Neil Cheadle for Rolleston, drew with John Peto to give Rolleston victory.
SDSC E finished on a high note, beating wooden spoon holder’s, Swad Cons B 6-2 away. Andy Jefferies has found his form too late in the season, beating Pete Fearn. Ray Stretton played well in beating Jon Petcher. Jon’s son Dan was in good form, taking both frames off the seasoned campaigner, Tony Mitchell. Phil Maddocks took both frames off John Griffin in two close and entertaining frames.
Woodville B, despite losing 6-2 away to Belmont D, managed to keep hold of the third promotional place, after Swad Cons C could only draw away to runners-up Alrewas A. Belmont got off to a great start, thanks to Terry Bosworth, who was giving very little away, taking both frames off Martin Ganley with ease. Josh Gebbie then showed what a talented player he can be by making breaks of 31 and 29 to beat Trevor Heath. Woodville’s captain, David Budworth got their only frames against Dougie Lees. Brian Cutting got Belmont over the line by beating fellow veteran crown green bowler, Brian Alford.
Hard luck to Swad Cons, who failed by two points in getting promotion. The Cons started off well with Vince Draper taking both frames off Will Sherratt. John Sharpe then returned the favour on Craig Wilson. Roy Sherratt lost two close frames to Mat Newbold. Alan Wilson beat Bob Birch for the draw. In the first frame Alan won it on the black ball.
Just to remind everybody that the Annual Prize Presentation Evening is at Belmont Club on Friday, 18th May at 7.30pm. Price of tickets are £4 and can be purchased on the evening. This includes a buffet, disco and live entertainment. If you would like to reserve your tickets please ring 07795248674 after 6.00pm.