STRUTT No 1 KEEP POLE POSITION AFTER BIG CLASH

THIS WEEK's clash between the top two teams in B Division saw Belper Strutt Club No 1 maintain their pole position thanks to a 3-2 away win at nearest rivals Gladiators Social Club of Matlock.
Wayne Shooter edged out Troy Brett on the black in the opener, despite the latter's contribution of 36, before Paul Jarrett (28 break) and Mark Newby quickly put the game to bed with fine performances thereafter.

Mark Gwynne-Jones battled back for the hosts with a 27 clearance to snatch the fourth frame on the black and then he and Dwayne Martin also registered a black ball success in the concluding doubles, despite Paul Jarrett (25 break) continuing to cue well.

The giant-killing act of the week went to Belper Strutt No 2, who toppled A Division leaders Marehay Miners Welfare also by a 3-2 scoreline.

As ever Ben Monk remained unmoved, winning both his singles and doubles frames with breaks of 35 and 26 but in between those successes, Chris Stubbs, Adam Winson and Keith Hubbold all reeled off quickfire frames for a memorable victory for the hosts.

Matlock Golf Club's IAN McKAY equalled the A Division top break with 44.

Bolehill Institute No 2 were another to triumph by the minimum margin in their home fixture with Matlock Golf Club but not before Ian McKay had equalled the A Division's highest break with a superb effort of 44 in the opening salvo.

Keith Robertson (27 break) won both his singles and doubles frames for the hosts though which helped to tip the scales overall.

It also went down to the wire at Matlock Club, but Edgefold Club took the honours 3-2 as Robert Muxlow and Duncan Harwood triumphed on the final black in the concluding doubles, after Keith Manlove and Paul Holmes had pulled the hosts level from 2-0 down.

Jaxx Q Club of Belper fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to Bolehill Institute No 1, with Ricki Slack and Ian Birks top scoring in their doubles frame after Tim Maslin had registered the point for the home team.

League week 9: Gladiators SC Matlock 2, Belper Strutt No 1 3; Belper Strutt No 2 3, Marehay MW / PJ'z 2; Bolehill Inst No 2 3, Matlock Golf Club 2; Matlock Club 2, Edgefold Matlock 3; Jaxx Q Club Belper 1, Bolehill Inst No 1 4.

Breaks: I McKay 44; T Brett 36; B Monk 35,26; P Jarrett 28,25; M Gwynne-Jones 27; K Robertson 27; A Gratton 26; S Robinson 23; K Holmes 22,21.

A Division                        P      W      L      Pts
Marehay MW / PJ'z          9       7       2       33
Bolehill Institute No 1        9       5       4       25
Edgefold Matlock              9       5       4       22
Matlock Golf Club             9       4       5       20
Jaxx Q Club Belper          9       5       4       18
Leading breaks: B Monk & I McKay 44.
Leading wins: R Slack & B Monk 8; A Gratton 7.

B Division                        P      W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt No 1             9       6       3       26
Gladiators SC Matlock      8       4       4       24
Belper Strutt No 2             8       4       4       20
Bolehill Institute No 2        9       4       5       20
Matlock Club                     9       0       9       12
Leading breaks: T Brett 58 & 38, D Martin 37.
Leading wins: I Peacock 7, C Stubbs, M Newby & W Shooter 6.

COMPETITION DRAWS THIS SUNDAY

THE DRAW for the next round of the competitions will be held this Sunday January 20th at Bolehill Institute (weather permitting!) at approx. 8.30pm.
Please try to get all matches played by this date or soon afterwards if it is still in the allowed period (B Div Individual next stage is already scheduled for end of month). Cheers.

HOLDERS START THEIR CUP DEFENCE IN SOLID FASHION

BOLEHILL No 1's SIMON ZOPPI ... illness no obstacle as he romped to victory.

JUST two matches took place in the opening round of the Captains Cup Team Aggregate competition (the other teams received byes) and these produced victories for both the home teams.
Holders Bolehill Institute No 1 entertained Gladiators Social Club of Matlock and were off to a flying start as Simon Zoppi defied flu-like symptoms to produce one of his best performances of the season with a 33-point success.

Further wins for Colin Marchington and Andrew Brough ensued and despite Guy Shirley winning both his singles and doubles matches (partnered by an inspired Mark Gwynne-Jones in the latter contest) the visitors fell short 311-265 after briefly threatening to turn the match on its head.

It was also home sweet home for Matlock's Edgefold Club who overcame visitors Belper Strutt Club No 2 by 294-221.

Richard Ferguson earned a narrow first frame verdict for the hosts before Rob Muxlow and Neil Parkinson put the game practically beyond reach with wide margin wins.

Steve Buckley did his best to claw his side back into reach with a 51-point win in frame 4 but Rob and Neil quickly re-asserted authority in the concluding doubles frame.

There was also one re-arranged League fixture which saw Matlock Golf Club defeat Matlock Club 3-2.

Ian Rose's return to the fold for the visitors was spoiled by a fine performance from Jack Lynch before Nick Kay made it 2-0 shortly afterwards.

Graeme Wood pulled one back but Chris Parker sealed the deal in frame four before Ian showed his class in the concluding doubles frame with an excellent 31 break which helped reduce the result to the minimum margin.

Captains Cup Team Aggregate 1st round: Bolehill Inst No 1 311, Gladiators SC Matlock 265; Edgefold Matlock 294, Belper Strutt No 2 221.
League: Matlock Golf Club 3, Matlock Club 2.
Breaks: I Rose 31; P Ogden 20.