EDGEFOLD SECURE SECOND AND CONS MAKE PLAY-OFFS

ROB MUXLOW ... black ball win for EDGEFOLD

THE final round of games in this seasons Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division saw two barnstorming finales with both runners-up spot and the final play-off place up for grabs.
Belper Strutt No 1 entertained Edgefold Club with the victors guaranteed of the runners up spot and ace cueist Martyn Taylor drew first blood with a 77-33 win over Mark Newby, complemented by a break of 39.

Rob Muxlow (24 break) secured a vital 57-56 verdict over Paul Jarrett in the next on the black but Strutt weren't going to go down lightly and Ben Monk, the man for the big occasion, pulled one back with a 78-58 success over Neil Parkinson.

Wayne Shooter equalised shortly after a hard fought battle with Duncan Harwood so all rested on the concluding doubles frame.

And it was Taylor and Harwood who took the spoils 69-10 as they froze out Monk and partner Steve Bullock to earn their side the coveted second placing.

The fight for the final play-off spot for the Jaeger Trophy was possibly even more of a cliff-hanger, as with Belper Strutt No 2 gaining five points from their final fixture, Matlock Cons knew a defeat at Bolehill Institute No 2 would see them out of the top four, which they had occupied for almost the entire season.

And after Ian Peacock had put the home side ahead with a convincing display, it needed calm nerves from firstly Charlie Hodgkinson and then Chris Parker (with a black ball win) to steer the visitors in front.

Keith Robertson maintained his unbeaten record since returning in late season to equalise but plenty more drama was to follow.

Mick Bunting and Peacock led 52-39 in the all-important final frame against Parker and Jack Lynch with just three balls remaining but, after opportunities came and went, it was Lynch who saved the day for Cons, taking them all in one visit in a quite pulsating finish to the regular season.

Elsewhere, Ricki Slack (36 break) came from 2-1 down to edge out Keith Manlove in the Open Individual Handicap semi final.

League week 21 results: Belper Strutt No 1 2, Edgefold Matlock 3; Bolehill Inst No 2 2, Matlock Cons 3; Belper Strutt No 2 5, Matlock Club 0 (walkover due to the latter being unable to raise a team on the advertised or any alternative dates).
Open Indiv Handicap semi final: Ricki Slack 3, Keith Manlove 2.
Breaks: M Taylor 39; R Slack 36; R Muxlow 24; B Monk 22.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     18      15       3       59
Edgefold Matlock           18      13       5       54
Belper Strutt No 1          18      10       8       53
Matlock Cons                 18        9       9       45
Belper Strutt No 2          18        9       9       44
Bolehill Institute No 2     18        6     12       37
Matlock Club                  18        1     17       23
Leading breaks: M Taylor 74; B Monk 53.
Leading wins: M Taylor 15/16; R Slack 14/18.