TRIO OF TEAMS LOCKED TOGETHER IN TIGHT TITLE RACE

RICHARD FERGUSON ... successful return to action for EDGEFOLD CLUB

WITH three teams on level points at the top it looks like being one of the closest fought title races for years in this season's Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division.
Belper Strutt No 1 looked in pole position to take over the mantle of outright league leaders this week but Matlock's Edgefold Club had other ideas and secured a 4-1 away win to move within two points of the leading trio themselves.

Duncan Harwood ended Paul Jarrett's unbeaten run in the first and Martyn Taylor quickly followed this up by defeating Wayne Shooter on a re-spotted black.

Mark Newby pulled one back, holding Rob Muxlow scoreless in frame three but Richard Ferguson on his seasonal debut made the game safe in the fourth.

And the icing on the cake was a black ball win in the doubles courtesy of the decisive pot from Neil Parkinson.

Bolehill No 1 were inactive this week but saw a third contender join them on 19 points as Matlock Cons took a 3-2 victory off Bolehill No 2.

IAN CRESSWELL ... convincing victory for veteran cueist

Veteran Ian Cresswell scored a convincing opening frame success for the hosts and Ian Peacock made it 2-0 before the fightback materialised.

Chris Drabble shaded the third before Jack Lynch (still undefeated) equalised and then edged the concluding doubles frame partnered by Nick Kay.

Belper Strutt No 2 defeated Matlock Club 4-1 with Chris Stubbs (36 break) getting the ton up though Paul Ogden's 38 break still wasn't quite enough for him personally as Paul Holmes' black ball victory made sure the visitors didn't go home empty handed.

League week 7 results: Belper Strutt No 1 1, Edgefold Matlock 4; Bolehill Inst No 2 2, Matlock Cons 3; Belper Strutt No 2 4, Matlock Club 1.
Breaks: P Ogden 38; C Stubbs 36; C Drabble 22.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1       6        6       0       19
Belper Strutt No 1            6        4       2       19
Matlock Cons                   6        4       2       19
Edgefold Matlock             6        4        2      17
Belper Strutt No 2            6        2       4       13
Bolehill Institute No 2       6        1       5       11
Matlock Club                    6        0       6         7
Leading breaks: M Taylor 50, C Parker 45.
Leading wins: R Slack 6; J Lynch, M Taylor & P Jarrett 5.