CLOSE FINISHES ABOUND IN GRIPPING ROUND OF GAMES

CHARLIE HODGKINSON was on the mark for MATLOCK CONS

THREE thrilling finishes were in evidence this week in the Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division with a couple of them decided on the final black to boot.
The teams from Strutt Club have already clashed a few times in all competitions this season and this was the second occasion that all rested on the final ball, but this time with a different result.

Paul Ogden scored a 53-29 win in the opener to give the No 2 outfit the early advantage before resounding verdicts for Wayne Shooter and  Steve Bullock (23 break) saw the No 1 team nose ahead.

Keith Hubbold then opened his account for the season to level matters before Jarrett and Bullock shaded a tough pairs battle with Chris Stubbs and Adam Winson 63-60 to earn local bragging rights for the No 1 squad.

Matlock Club were denied in a close finish for the third week in a row, going down 3-2, also on the deciding black, at Bolehill Institute No 2.

The singles frames were shared with Mick Bunting and Martin Forster on the mark for the hosts and Graeme Wood and Keith Manlove replying for the visitors.

And despite an early run of 24 from Manlove in the deciding pairs contest, Bunting took pink and black at the end to wrestle a hard fought win.

It also finished 3-2 to Bolehill No 1 team who edged out Matlock Cons to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Andrew Brough, with a black ball win, and Colin Marchington (25 break) made it 2-0 before Charlie Hodgkinson and Chris Parker (who also notched a 48 break in the OMYA Cup individual this week) made it all square.

But Marchington and Ricki Slack took the doubles frame 66-16 to settle matters.

League week 16 results: Belper Strutt No 2 2, Belper Strutt No 1 3; Bolehill Inst No 2 3, Matlock Club 2; Bolehill Inst No 1 3, Matlock Cons 2.
OMYA Cup (Indiv Scratch) quarter final: Mark Gwynne Jones 1, Chris Parker 2.
Open Indiv Handicap quarter final: Duncan Harwood 1, Paul Ogden 2; Kevin Holmes 2, Paul Bryan 0.
"B" (Intermediate) Handicap quarter final: Kevin Holmes 2, Paul Holmes 0.
Breaks: C Parker 48; C Marchington 25; K Manlove 24; S Bullock 23; M Gwynne-Jones 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     14      13       1       47
Edgefold Matlock           13        8       5       37
Belper Strutt No 1          13        7       6       37
Matlock Cons                 12        7       5       34
Belper Strutt No 2          13        5       8       28
Bolehill Institute No 2     13        5       8       28
Matlock Club                  14        1     13       19
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 12; M Taylor 10; C Marchington 9.