GARETH SPARKLES AS GOLF CLUB OFF TO FLYING START

GARETH JOHNSON ... 46 break tops the roster early doors

THE OPENING week of this seasons Harriotts Sweet Chariot Event Planning Snooker League saw the home teams hold sway with each one of them gaining 4-1 victories.
Alfreton Palmer Morewood travelled to Matlock Golf Club in what was effectively a rematch of last seasons play off final, with the Cons Club team having moved back across Matlock to their former home.

This also allowed them the services of evergreen ex-Derbyshire champion Graham Jones and he took the first frame to set them on their way with a hard fought 68-57 win.

Ian McKay, another returning to the fold, soon made it two and then Gareth Johnson sealed the deal in frame three before notching an excellent 46 break in the doubles to earn the Viva Italian Restaurant highest break of the week accolade and also the overall target to aim at so far.

Edgefold No 1, the reigning league champions saw off Matlock Club with Neil Parkinson settling the issue in frame three whilst Justin Weller's 53-52 verdict made sure Belper Strutt Club took the spoils over Bolehill Institute No 2.

Bolehill No 1 defeated Edgefold No 2 in the other game with Andrew Brough's pivotal black ball win proving vital before Ian Birks produced a fine performance to wrap things up, earning himself the Mick Hodgkinson Transport player of the week mantle.

League week 1 results: Matlock Golf Club 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 1; Edgefold Matlock No 1 4, Matlock Club 1; Belper Strutt Club 4, Bolehill Institute No 2 1; Bolehill Institute No 1 4, Edgefold Matlock No 2 1.
Breaks: G Johnson 46; R Ferguson 28,24; R Slack 23; S Dobney 20.