MATLOCK CLUB EDGED OUT AGAIN IN ANOTHER THRILLER

JOHN SMITH was the hero of the hour for ALFRETON No 2

MATLOCK CLUB have been involved in some of the most exciting finishes in recent weeks and it was no exception this time around as they entertained Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 in the opening jousts of the Captain Cup team aggregate competition.
The Group A encounter got off to the tightest possible start with Graeme Wood and Ryan Taylor each scoring 46 points in the opener and the format of the competition meaning that the black was not required to be re-spotted on this occasion.
A remarkable frame then saw 170pts amassed between the two players, with Keith Manlove achieving the accolade of a 100pts haul whilst Tom Broughton's 70 would often have been enough to take the spoils on another day.
Mick Mackfall took the next on the black before John Smith pulled a few points back with a 52-42 success, leaving his team just 26pts adrift going into the concluding doubles leg.
And Smith was the hero of the hour as he teamed up with Broughton to secure a decisive 77-31 scoreline which gave his team an overall win of 284-264.

Group B saw Matlock Golf Club defeat Bolehill Institute No 2 346-277 with Graham Jones (breaks of 30 and 25) in fine form for the victors whilst Ian Peacock top scored for the hosts.

Bolehill No 1 enjoyed better fortunes with a 301-251 triumph in Group C at Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1. Ian Birks put the visitors in a commanding position courtesy of a 67-12 verdict in frame three though Paul Pilsworth's excellent 32 break in the final pairs leg made things interesting  until the victors steadied the ship from the last couple of reds onwards.

Andy Russell's 42 break was still not enough to overcome Keith Manlove in the Open Individual Handicap competition with the Matlock Club cueman scoring a 2-0 win.

Captains Cup Team Aggregate competition, Group A: Matlock Club 264, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 284; Group B; Bolehill Institute No 2 277, Matlock Golf Club 346; Group C: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 251, Bolehill Institute No 1 301.
Top teams from each group qualify for semi finals along with best runner-up. Teams winning both matches will qualify, if equal wins points difference to count.
Open Individual Handicap first round: Neil Parkinson 1, Rob Muxlow 2; John Smith 2, Andrew Haggarty 0; Andy Russell 0, Keith Manlove 2; Derek Smith 2, Ricki Slack 1; Keith Robertson 1, Tom Broughton 2; Rob Dicken 0, Ryan Taylor 2; Paul Holmes 1, Duncan Harwood 2; Steve Bullock 2, Kevin Munnelly 0.
Breaks: A Russell 42; R Muxlow 36; P Pilsworth 32; G Jones 30,25; J Smith 30; N Parkinson 29; R Slack 24; I Birks 22; T Broughton 22.