JUSTIN FIRES A TRIO OF THIRTIES IN DOUBLES FINAL WIN

CHRIS STUBBS and JUSTIN WELLER Pairs Handicap winners 2014/15

THE DENIS Morton Pairs Handicap Trophy final saw an all-Strutt Club final with last seasons runners-up Steve Bullock and Mark Newby up against old adversary Chris Stubbs (part of the winning partnership then) and his new sidekick Justin Weller.
And it was Weller who hit the ground running on what was a memorable night for him with a 31 break deciding the opener 62-34 before Newby equalised with a great pot on the black in the next.
And the turning point maybe came in frame three when a seemingly excellent long pot from Bullock seemed to have edged them ahead until the cue ball agonisingly rolled straight into a baulk pocket to turn joy into despair.
Weller moved in again with a run of 38 to make it 3-1 but their opponents hung on to take a close fifth frame and pull it back to 3-2.
But once again Weller stepped up to the plate and his 37 break made sure there was no comeback this time, taking the frame 79-23 and the match 4-2.

The Jaeger Trophy Playoffs also started this week and the lower seeds proved a real thorn in the side of the higher ranked teams as only Bolehill No 2, courtesy of a walkover with Edgefold No 2 mistaking the date they were due to play, getting through.

Champions Edgefold No 1 fell for a second time to Matlock Cons in quick succession, having also been defeated by them in the Captains Cup. This time the Cons took  a 4-1 verdict with Chris Parker's 44 break the highlight in the opener and despite Rob Muxlow equalising, Nick Kay delivered the decisive leg.

Matlock Club earned their biggest win of the season, 5-0 at Bolehill No 1 with Graeme Wood (on the black), Keith Manlove and Mick Mackfall reeling off the opening three frames to decide the issue.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood also progressed, defeating Belper Strutt No 1 3-1 after Paul Jarrett had put the hosts in front. Andrew Beardsley equalised and Jamie Rowland sealed the deal.

Denis Morton Pairs Handicap Trophy final: Chris Stubbs / Justin Weller 4, Steve Bullock / Mark Newby 2.
Jaeger Trophy Play offs 1st round: Edgefold Matlock No 1 1, Matlock Cons 4; Bolehill Institute No 1 0, Matlock Club 5; Belper Strutt No 1 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 3; Bolehill Institute No 2 w/o, Edgefold Matlock No 2 scr (mistook match-night and no free dates to re-arrange).
Breaks: C Parker 44; J Weller 38,37,31,22; C Marchington 24; B Monk 28,22;
P Jarrett 22.