CONS CLUB RETAIN UNBEATEN HOME RUN ON THE BLACK

CHRIS WOODHOUSE ... sparkling performance for MATLOCK CLUB

MATLOCK CONSERVATIVE CLUB returned to action after an extended hiatus and wrestled the advantage on the final black against local rivals Matlock Club, who were narrowly thwarted for the second successive week.
Graeme Wood and Chris Woodhouse were in fine form for the visitors who took an early 2-0 lead with convincing scorelines of 63-29 and 77-10 respectively.

However, the Cons are still unbeaten at their Dale Road home and with the doubles frame brought forward by mutual agreement, Charlie Hodgkinson's pivotal 25 break made sure there was plenty left to fight for.

Nick Kay then just edged out Mick McFall to make it 2-2 and in a grandstand finish, Jack Lynch, with a 22 clearance, snatched the spoils 68-62 over a gallant Paul Bryan.

Leaders Bolehill Institute No 1 took maximum points from Belper Strutt Club No 2, with Ricki Slack and Ian Birks each winning on the final black from well adrift.

The doubles frame at the end saw some of the best scoring with Dave Devenport's early 21 cancelled out by runs of 20 and 22 from Slack, who also notched a 51 break in his OMYA Cup Individual quarter final win the previous night.

Bolehill No 2 scored an excellent 3-2 win at second placed Edgefold Club, with Mark Sayer getting off the mark for the season and Ian Peacock winning both his singles and doubles frames.

Neil Parkinson had earlier ensured the home team were off to the best possible start with a 67-18 success.

League week 15 results: Matlock Cons 3, Matlock Club 2; Belper Strutt No 2 0, Bolehill Inst No 1 5; Edgefold Matlock 2, Bolehill Inst No 2 3.
OMYA Cup (Indiv Scratch) quarter final: Ricki Slack 2, Kevin Holmes 0; Martyn Taylor 2, Neil Parkinson 0.
Open Indiv Handicap quarter final: Ricki Slack 2, Steve Bullock 1.
Breaks: R Slack 51,27,22,20; C Hodgkinson 25; J Lynch 22; D Devenport 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     13      12       1       44
Edgefold Matlock           13        8       5       37
Belper Strutt No 1          12        6       6       34
Matlock Cons                 11        7       4       32
Belper Strutt No 2          12        5       7       26
Bolehill Institute No 2     12        4       8       25
Matlock Club                  13        1     12       17
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 12; M Taylor 10; J Lynch, C Marchington, P Jarrett,
I Birks & M Newby all 8.