SHOOTOUT NIGHT IS A ROARING SUCCESS ONCE AGAIN

RICKI SLACK retained the Alan Hopkinson Trophy

THE 8th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOOTOUT NIGHT was held this year at Belper Strutt Club for the first time and an excellent turnout of 13 competitors enjoyed another thoroughly enjoyable night of fast paced snooker with winners both old and new appearing on the rostrum.
The Alan Hopkinson Trophy for the six red snooker handicap went for the second year running to Bolehill Institute's Ricki Slack, who turned on his best form of the evening in the final to defeat Matlock Golf Club's Ian McKay.
The pivotal moment came in the semi final, with opponent Mark Newby 13 ahead with just pink and black remaining but Slack took both to force the re-spot and then sunk it despite chances for the Strutt man.
He had earlier come through contests with Keith Robertson and Gordon Critchlow en route to success.

STEVE HAWKINS and MARK NEWBY ... George Mills Trophy winners

Newby was also involved at the business end of the six red scotch doubles handicap event for George Mills Trophy.
He and partner Steve Hawkins (Hartington RBL) came through rounds with Chris Parker and Pete Davenport and Keith Robertson and John Moore to contest the final against Steve Bullock and Rob Devenport.
And this time he went all the way as Hawkins sunk the blue to leave their opponents requiring snookers which were not forthcoming.

CHARLIE HODGKINSON...speed king

Most of the thrills and spills come in the shape of the Eddie Lomas Trophy, a speed snooker event which features players on adjacent tables clearing the colours, with balls added or taken away according to the official handicaps.
And there was a popular winner as Charlie Hodgkinson of Matlock Golf Club showed all those years around the fairways have maintained his athleticism down to a tee as he proved conclusively to be the fastest cueman either side of Derby and Chesterfield.
He overcame Belper Strutt Club's Wayne Shooter. who had been similarly impressive in reaching the final, to lift the trophy after previous victories over Rob Devenport and Steve Hawkins.
Alan Hopkinson Trophy (six red snooker handicap): winner, Ricki Slack (Bolehill Institute 1); runner-up, Ian McKay (Matlock Golf Club).
George Mills Trophy (six red snooker scotch doubles handicap); winners, Steve Hawkins (Hartington RBL) and Mark Newby (Belper Strutt Club); runners-up, Steve Bullock  and Rob Devenport (both of Belper Strutt Club).
Eddie Lomas Trophy (speed snooker handicap): winner, Charlie Hodgkinson (Matlock Golf Club); runner-up, Wayne Shooter (Belper Strutt Club).

CRICH STILL SMOKING HOT BUT SUCH A TIGHT TITLE RACE

COLIN MARCHINGTON rescued the opening frame for BOLEHILL No 1

THERE was a shake-up at the top of the T & M Motors Snooker League this week with new leaders Crich Comrades increasing their advantage with a win over their nearest rivals whilst Bolehill Institute No 1 team continued their consistent streak of results to remain close in contention.
Bolehill travelled to Matlock Club but with Graeme Wood looking home and hosed in the opener, it seemed a tough night lay ahead until Colin Marchington got the snooker he required and took blue, pink and black to sneak an unlikely win.
Ricki Slack also took pink and black to make it 2-0 and in another tight battle, Ian Birks scored a 51-42 triumph on the pink to make the game safe.
However, Keith Manlove secured his own black ball victory in the next and then Paul Holmes and Dave Benson teamed up in the doubles leg to make the score very respectable at the close.

Crich defeated Matlock Golf Club 4-1 with Cliff Gould, Ade Smith and Ady Lowe putting them 3-0 up in no time at all not withstanding Ian McKay's run of 39 before Tony Blant (27 break) offered the only salvo for the early pacesetters.

Bolehill No 2 defeated Edgefold 3-2 with Darren Bunting opening his account fot the season and Ian Peacock sealing the deal while Sam Lavelle top scored for the visitors.

League week 10 results: Matlock Club 2, Bolehill Institute No 1 3; Crich Comrades 4, Matlock Golf Club 1; Bolehill Institute No 2 3, Edgefold Matlock 2.
Breaks (including comps): S Dobney 40: I McKay 39; K Robertson 31; J Travis 30; T Blant 27.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts

Crich Comrades Club                    9         6       3      27

Bolehill Institute No 1                     8         7       1      23

Matlock Golf Club                          8         5       3      23

Bolehill Institute No 2                     9         4       5      21

Edgefold Matlock                           8         3       5      18

Belper Strutt Club                          7         2       5      16

Matlock Club                                  9         2       7      16
Leading wins: M Forster 7/8; G Jones 6/8..
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, I McKay 39.

TRAMWAY MEN HIT THE TOP FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON

CLIFF GOULD partnered Ade Smith to doubles success

JUST the two matches in this week's T & M Motors Snooker League and Crich Comrades moved to the top of the table courtesy of a 4-1 victory at Matlock Club.
Nick Berry's early season form has been excellent but he fell to a 54-8 defeat on the night to the home side's Paul Bryan before Ade Smith equalised soon afterwards with a hard fought success.
Ady Lowe with a 64-32 verdict made it 2-1 and the game was safe when John Smith edged the fourth frame 43-31.
Cliff Gould and Ade Smith put the icing on the cake with a 45-44 verdict in the concluding pairs leg.
The Bolehill "derby" went to the No 1 team for the second time this season as they recorded their sixth 3-2 win in seven games.
Ian Birks top scored to equalise at 2-2 and then he and Ricki Slack (30 break) took the deciding doubles frame. Keith Robertson (22 break) was in fine form for the opposition.
League week 9: Matlock Club 1, Crich Comrades 4; Bolehill Institute No 1 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2.
Breaks: R Slack 30; K Robertson 22.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts

Crich Comrades Club                    8         5       3      23

Matlock Golf Club                          7         5       2      22

Bolehill Institute No 1                     7         6       1      20

Bolehill Institute No 2                     8         3       5      18

Edgefold Matlock                           7         3       4      16

Belper Strutt Club                          7         2       5      16

Matlock Club                                  8         2       6      15
Leading wins: G Jones & M Forster 6/7; N Berry 5/7.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, I McKay 39.

CRICH COMRADES MAINTAIN FORM WITH HOME VICTORY

ADE SMITH put CRICH COMRADES in a strong position

CRICH COMRADES kept up the pressure on leaders Matlock Golf Club with a 3-2 home win over Bolehill No 2 in this week's round of T & M Motors Snooker League fixtures.
Cliff Gould opened first and secured a 40-23 verdict before the tightest frame of the evening saw captain Ade Smith make it 2-0 courtesy of a black ball decider over Keith Robertson, who had earlier notched a run of 24.
Mick Bunting, with his third win out of four, pulled one back but Nick Berry, himself with five wins out of six, secured the overall verdict thanks to a 47-38 scoreline.
Bunting and Robertson reduced the deficit to the minimum margin in the concluding doubles frame.
Matlock Golf Club came from 2-0 down to defeat Matlock Club 3-2. Mick Mackfall and Dave Benson had the visitors on cloud nine early doors but Graham Jones amassed a century points haul and eventually he and Tony Blant took the deciding doubles leg 64-50.
Elsewhere Edgefold gained a 3-2 success at Belper Strutt Club with Rob Muxlow top scoring in the opener whilst Paul Jarrett was on fine form for the hosts.
League week 8: Crich Comrades 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2; Matlock Golf Club 3, Matlock Club 2; Belper Strutt Club 2, Edgefold Matlock 3.
Breaks: K Robertson 24.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts
Matlock Golf Club                          7         5       2      22
Crich Comrades Club                    7         4       3      19
Bolehill Institute No 1                     6         5       1      17

Bolehill Institute No 2                     7         3       4      16
Edgefold Matlock                           7         3       4      16

Belper Strutt Club                          7         2       5      16

Matlock Club                                  7         2       5      14
Leading wins: G Jones 6/7; N Berry & M Forster 5/6.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, R Slack & N Berry 35.

COMPETITION DRAWS FOR DECEMBER / JANUARY

THE draws for the early rounds of the individual competitions and semi finals of the six red team cup were made recently.

As agreed by the committee, dates will be put on the matches again this season, though you can of course play them in advance of the set date by re-arranging with your opponent (see the contacts sheet, please give at least 48hrs notice and preferably more).

If absolutely necessary, you can re-schedule it within an extra 7 days, failing agreement you can apply to the match secretary for a further 7 days to play it.

If someone doesn't contact the opposition and then fails to show, they are eliminated obviously.

Matches to be played off the latest handicaps on the scheduled date of the ties (if any are delayed and handicaps change subsequently, the original match handicap will stand).

Matches to take place as drawn for the semi finals, and finals will take place at selected neutral venues or if agreed, toss of a coin for venue between captains, all matches best of 5 this season with finals best of 7 (except "B" final which is best of 5).
Note that players switching over from teams in same club are not eligible to play in semi finals or finals.

OMYA CUP (Individual Scratch) First Round

Best of 5 Frames - No handicaps - 7.30pm
Mon Dec 03: Rob Muxlow (Edgefold) v Steve Bullock (Belper Strutt)

OPEN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP First Round

Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm

Tue Dec 04: Sam Lavelle (Edgefold ) v Ady Lowe (Crich Coms)
Tue Dec 04: Darren Bunting (Bolehill 2) v Sean Dobney (Edgefold)
Wed Dec 05: Graham Jones (Mat Golf Club) v Duncan Harwood (Edgefold)

OMYA CUP (Individual Scratch) Second Round
Best of 5 Frames - No handicaps - 7.30pm
Tue Dec 11: Ian McKay (Mat Golf Club) v Sam Lavelle (Edgefold)
Tue Dec 11: Mick Bunting (Bolehill 2) v Ade Smith (Crich Coms)
Tue Dec 11: Rob Dicken (Edgefold) v Ricki Slack (Bolehill 1)

Tue Dec 11: Nick Berry (Crich Coms) v Martin Forster (Bolehill 2)

Wed Dec 12: Sean Dobney (Edgefold) v Rob Muxlow or Steve Bullock

Wed Dec 12: James Travis (Edgefold) v Duncan Harwood (Edgefold)

Wed Dec 12: Ady Lowe (Crich Coms) v Keith Robertson (Bolehill 2)
Thu Dec 13: Graham Jones (Mat Golf Club) v Darren Bunting (Bolehill 2)

CHRISTMAS SIX RED SHOOTOUT NIGHT
Singles, Doubles and Speed Snooker Competitions (Handicaps)
Now TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18th at BELPER STRUTT CLUB - 7.30pm

BOB McCARTIN SIX RED TEAM CUP Semi Final Best of 7 Frames - 7.30pm
Four singles and three scotch doubles frames (use six red Handicaps)
Mon Jan 07: Belper Strutt Club v Matlock Golf Club
Mon Jan 07: Crich Comrades v Bolehill Institute No 1

OPEN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP Second Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm

Mon Jan 07: Martin Forster (Bolehill 2) v Darren Bunting or Sean Dobney

Tue Jan 08: Graham Jones or Duncan Harwood v Rob Dicken (Edgefold)

Tue Jan 08: Ricki Slack (Bolehill 1) v Rob Muxlow (Edgefold)

Tue Jan 08: Nick Berry (Crich Coms) v Ian McKay (Mat Golf Club)

Wed Jan 09: Sam Lavelle or Ady Lowe v Ade Smith (Crich Coms)

Wed Jan 09: Mick Bunting (Bolehill 2) v James Travis (Edgefold)

Wed Jan 09: Keith Manlove (Mat Club) v Steve Bullock (Belper Strutt)
Thu Jan 10: Keith Robertson (Bolehill 2) v Paul Holmes (Matlock Club)

DENIS MORTON PAIRS HANDICAP TROPHY First Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm
Thu Jan 17: D Harwood / R Muxlow (Edgefold) v G Jones / I McKay (Golf Club)

"B" (INTERMEDIATE) INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP First Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm

Tue Jan 22: Sam Lavelle (Edgefold) v Paul Holmes (Matlock Club)

Tue Jan 22: Ade Smith (Crich Coms) v Martin Forster (Bolehill 2)

Wed Jan 23: Steve Bullock (Belper Strutt) v Mick Bunting (Bolehill 2)
Wed Jan 23: James Travis (Edgefold) v Nick Berry (Crich Coms)

Players who have entered a competition and are not listed have received a bye into next round.

GOLF CLUB FALL AT BOLEHILL BUT RETAIN ADVANTAGE

MARTIN FORSTER continued his winning ways for BOLEHILL No 2

HOSTS BOLEHILL INSTITUTE No 2 upset leaders Matlock Golf Club 3-2 though the defeated cuemen still retain a two point cushion at the top of the T & M Motors Snooker League.

Ian Peacock opened his account for the season with a 73-63 verdict over last season's winning-most player Ian McKay to set the tone and Martin Forster continued his barnstorming start to the season with a fifth win in six outings to take the second frame 62-11.

Graham Jones (28 break) reduced the deficit in the next but a black ball victory in the doubles leg for Mick Bunting and Mark Sayer secured the win after an unfortunate in-off for the visitors.

Charlie Hodgkinson pulled one back at the end.

Bolehill No 2 went second with a 3-2 win at Edgefold. Rob Dicken took a re-spotted black to level Colin Marchington's early salvo but a run of 35 from Ricki Slack in the doubles leg helped contribute to overall success.

Belper Strutt Club, who took the league and associated competitions by storm last season, are clicking into gear after a slow start and scored a 5-0 success over Matlock Club.

Mark Newby and Steve Bullock took both of their singles and doubles legs as they moved off the foot of the table.

League week 7: Bolehill Institute No 2 3, Matlock Golf Club 2; Edgefold Matlock 2, Bolehill Institute No 1 3; Belper Strutt Club 5, Matlock Club 0.

Breaks: R Slack 35; G Jones 28.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts
Matlock Golf Club                          6         4       2      19
Bolehill Institute No 1                     6         5       1      17

Crich Comrades Club                    6         3       3      16

Belper Strutt Club                          6         2       4      14
Bolehill Institute No 2                     6         3       3      14
Edgefold Matlock                           6         2       4      13

Matlock Club                                  6         2       4      12
Leading wins: M Forster & G Jones 5/6; P Roe 4/4; N Berry 4/5; W Shooter 4/6.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, R Slack & N Berry 35.

CRICH TAKE CONTROL AFTER EDGEFOLD'S QUICK START

DUNCAN HARWOOD gave EDGEFOLD an early lead

CRICH COMRADES took advantage of a week of inactivity for Matlock Golf Club to move within one point of the leaders after a hard earned 3-2 success at Edgefold Club.
However, they needed to do things the hard way as thier prospects were looking decidedly bleak after the home team's Duncan Harwood and Sam Lavelle had taken the opening two frames, 57-40 and 56-37 respectively.
Ady Lowe pulled one back in the next however, before Nick Berry continued his fine early season form to equalise before Lowe teamed up with captain Ade Smith to take the deciding doubles leg 61-36.

Bolehill Institute No 1 remained in touch with a 3-2 verdict over Belper Strutt Club; Ricki Slack top scoring courtesy of a run of 29. Wayne Shooter, sporting a new cue, was in fine form for the visitors, taking his singles and doubles legs with some excellent potting.

And Bolehill No 2 also tasted victory by the minimum margin at Matlock Club after Graeme Wood had given the home side the lead on a re-spotted black.
Martin Forster scored his fourth win in five games and Keith Robertson sealed overall victory thanks to a black ball decider in frame four.

League week 6 results: Edgefold Matlock 2, Crich Comrades 3; Bolehill Institute No 1 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Matlock Club 2, Bolehill Institute No 2 3.
Breaks: R Slack 29; S Zoppi 22.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts
Matlock Golf Club                          5         4       1      17
Crich Comrades Club                    6         3       3      16
Bolehill Institute No 1                     5         4       1      14
Matlock Club                                  5         2       3      12
Bolehill Institute No 2                     5         2       3       11
Edgefold Matlock                           5         2       3       11
Belper Strutt Club                           5         1       4        9
Leading wins: P Roe 4/4; G Jones, N Berry & M Forster 4/5.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, N Berry 35.

MATLOCK CLUB EARN SECOND SUCCESSIVE LEAGUE WIN

MICK MACKFALL secured triumph for MATLOCK CLUB

MATLOCK CLUB gained their second successive T & M Motors Snooker League success courtesy of a 3-2 win in their re-scheduled game at second placed Crich Comrades Club.
Graeme Wood and Paul Bryan edged narrow margin victories to have the visitors smiling early doors before Nick Berry pulled one back with a convincing success in frame three.
But Mick Mackfall secured the triumph in frame three before Ade Smith and Keith Fretwell reduced the margin in the concluding doubles leg.

Crich had defeated Bolehill No 1 3-2 earlier in the week with Berry (35 break) again in fine form whilst Andrew Brough's black ball victory kept the visitors in the hunt early doors.

Matlock Golf Club enhanced their position at the top of the table going into their week off with a 3-2 verdict over Edgefold Club.
Ian McKay and Paul Roe had the home team in the ascendency and despite Duncan Harwood's defiant response in the third frame, Charlie Hodgkinson sealed the deal soon afterwards.

Belper Strutt Club, triple winners last season, are off the mark this time around with a 4-1 win at Bolehill No 2. Mark Newby top scored while Martin Forster was on target for the hosts.

League week 5 results: Matlock Golf Club 3, Edgefold Matlock 2; Crich Comrades 3, Bolehill Institute No 1 2; Crich Comrades 2, Matlock Club 3; Bolehill Institute No 1 1, Belper Strutt Club 4.
Breaks: N Berry 35; A Lowe 24; W Shooter 22.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts
Matlock Golf Club                          5         4       1      17
Crich Comrades Club                    5         2       3      13
Bolehill Institute No 1                     4         3       1      11
Matlock Club                                  4         2       2      10
Edgefold Matlock                           4         2       2        9
Bolehill Institute No 2                     4         1       3        8
Belper Strutt Club                           4         1       3        7
Leading wins: P Roe 4/4; G Jones 4/5.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, N Berry 35.

GOLF CLUB AND BOLEHILL 1 COME BACK FROM THE BRINK

ADY LOWE joined forced with Cliff Gould for a run of 33

A COUPLE of thrilling games in the first round of the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup saw stirring fightbacks from Matlock Golf Club and Bolehill Institute No 1 who both came from the point of no return to progress into the semi finals.
The Golf Club seemed set for a smooth passage early doors with Ian McKay and Tony Blant continuing their excellent early season form with stylish victories but opponents Bolehill No 2 were in no mood to surrender meekly and Mick Bunting and Keith Robertson soon had the scores level.
When Robertson and Martin Forster took a black ball decider in the first of the scotch doubles, the home side had it all to do but a black ball win for McKay and Charlie Hodgkinson took the match all the way and it was McKay again, this time paired with Graham Jones who sealed a 4-3 verdict.

Bolehill No 1 came from an even more perilous position of 3-1 down to Matlock Club when Graeme Wood secured the fourth frame but the home side took all three scotch doubles legs, the first of which amazingly saw 100 points amassed in total as Ricki Slack and Colin Marchington took a high scoring extravaganza.

Crich Comrades also moved through to the semis courtesy of a 5-2 win over Edgefold Club. Ady Lowe and Cliff Gould impressed with a superb 33 break in the first of the scotch doubles legs after Duncan Harwood had levelled matters early doors.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup first round: Matlock Golf Club 4, Bolehill Institute No 2 4; Bolehill Institute No 1 4, Matlock Club 3; Crich Comrades 5, Edgefold Matlock 2.
Breaks: A Lowe / C Gould 33 (scotch doubles); K Robertson 22; C Marchington 20.

MATLOCK CLUB STORM TO FIRST SUCCESS OF SEASON

KEITH MANLOVE was on target in both singles and doubles legs

MATLOCK CLUB gained their opening victory in this season's T & M Motors Snooker League courtesy of a 4-1 verdict over Edgefold Club.
Graeme Wood opened proceedings in fine style with a 68-42 success over danger man Sean Dobney and then Keith Manlove added the second 67-40.
Mick Mackfall was in on the act to make the game safe with another convincing scoreline of 71-36 before Rob Dicken pulled one back for the visitors.
But Mackfall teamed up with Manlove to give the home side one of their best wins in recent times.

Matlock Golf Club were defeated for the first time, 3-2 at Bolehill No 1 for whom Colin Marchington top scored first up. Ricki Slack took the next on the black whilst Graham Jones (21 break) maintaned his unbeaten record so far.

Crich Comrades scored an impressive 4-1 win over last seasons champs Belper Strutt Club. John Smith amassed 91 points in the opener and Cliff Gould was equally emphatic in the next whilst Mark Newby was the sole contributor for Strutt.

League week 4 results: Matlock Club 4, Edgefold Matlock 1; Bolehill Institute No 1 3, Matlock Golf Club 2; Crich Comrades 4, Belper Strutt Club 1.
Breaks: R Dicken 24,22; J Smith 22; A Lowe 22; G Jones 21; I McKay 20; I Birks 20.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts
Matlock Golf Club                          4         3       1      14
Bolehill Institute No 1                     3         3       0       9
Crich Comrades Club                    3         1       2       8
Edgefold Matlock No 1                  3         2       1       7
Bolehill Institute No 2                     3         1       2       7
Matlock Club                                  3         1       2       7
Belper Strutt Club                          3         0       3        3
Leading wins: G Jones 4/4; P Roe & I Birks 3/3; T Blant 3/4.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, S Dobney 34.

GOLF CLUB CONTINUE TO CARRY ALL BEFORE THEM

PAUL ROE amassed 97 points for MATLOCK GOLF CLUB

MATLOCK GOLF CLUB continued their fine start to the T & M Motors Snooker League season with a third straight win as they held on for a 3-2 win against the battling visitors from Crich Comrades.
Tony Blant took the opener in convincing fashion 70-38 and Paul Roe turned on the style in the next as he amassed 97 points in making it 2-0.
Twice Derbyshire champion Graham Jones secured the win in frame three courtesy of a 70-41 scoreline but late resistence from John Smith who took his singles frame on the black and doubled up with Cliff Gould to win the pairs, reduced the deficit to the minimum margin at the finish.
Both the other games went to the deciding frame as Edgefold defeated Bolehill No 2 courtesy of a length of the table double on the final black from Sean Dobney, who had earlier contributed breaks of 34 and 30. Rob Dicken (25 break) had levelled matters after Keith Robertson edged the visitors ahead.
And Bolehill No 1 came from 2-1 adrift to edge out Matlock Club with Ian Birks top scoring after Paul Holmes had put the away team in the ascendancy.
League week 3 results: Matlock Golf Club 3, Crich Comrades 2; Edgefold Matlock 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2; Bolehill Institute No 1 3, Matlock Club 2.
Breaks: S Dobney 34,30; R Dicken 25; R Slack 24.

T & M Motors Snooker League   P        W      L     Pts
Matlock Golf Club                          3         3       0      12
Bolehill Institute No 2                     3         1       2       7
Bolehill Institute No 1                     2         2       0       6
Edgefold Matlock No 1                  2         2       0       6
Crich Comrades Club                    2         0       2       4
Matlock Club                                  2         0       2       3
Belper Strutt Club                          2         0       2        2
Leading wins: T Blant, G Jones & P Roe 3/3.
Leading breaks: R Dicken 40, S Dobney 34.

BOLEHILL No 1 EARN BRAGGING RIGHTS THANKS TO BIRKS

IAN BIRKS won both frames for BOLEHILL No 1

THE second week of fixtures in the T & M Motors Snooker League saw the two Bolehill teams lock horns with victory going to the No 1 team who defeated their No 2 counterparts 3-2 despite a depleted line up.
Martin Forster took the opener on the black after Andrew Brough fought back from requiring a snooker but Simon Zoppi soon equalised and Ian Birks had the eventual winners in front soon afterwards.
Birks had to turn out again as reserve giving up the penalty handicap for the team being short handed but showed all his experience to take the all important fourth frame 77-56.
Keith Robertson and Forster received a walkover in the doubles to reduce the final margin.
Matlock Golf Club earned their second successive win, this time 5-0 at last seasons triple winners Belper Strutt Club.
Ian McKay and Graham Jones top scored in a fine team performance.
League week 2 results: Bolehill Institute No 2 2, Bolehill Institute No 1 3; Belper Strutt Club 0, Matlock Golf Club 5.
Breaks: G Jones 24; I McKay 21.

OPENING THRILLER SEES EDGEFOLD TAKE THE SPOILS

ROB DICKEN was amongst the breaks for EDGEFOLD CLUB

ROB DICKEN notched breaks of 40,24 and 21 as Edgefold Club defeated last seasons triple winners Belper Strutt Club 3-2 in the curtain raiser of the T & M Motors Snooker League for the 2018/19 season.
Dicken was still toppled in his singles leg by an inspired performance from Wayne Shooter which equalised Sam Lavelle's opening salvo for the hosts.
Paul Jarrett briefly gave the away side the advantage but after Steve Burton (24 break) levelled matters again, he and Dicken turned on the style in the concluding doubles leg.

There was also a tight contest as Bolehill No 2 edged out Crich Comrades by the minimum margin. Cliff Gould and Nick Berry had given the Tramwaymen a 2-0 lead but Keith Robertson (breaks of 25 and 24) took both frames he contested after Mick Bunting had squared things on a black ball decider.

Early pacesetters are Matlock Golf Club who returned triumphant from Matlock Club with a 4-1 triumph, Tony Blant and Paul Roe both accumulating over eighty points in the process whilst old warhorses Keith Manlove and Paul Holmes fought hard to secure a home point for the vanquished in the pairs.

League week 1: Edgefold Matlock 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Bolehill Institute No 2 3, Crich Comrades 2; Matlock Club 1, Matlock Golf Club 4.
Breaks: R Dicken 40,24,21; P Roe 27; K Robertson 25,24; S Burton 24; M Newby 24; P Jarrett 22,20.

STRUTT CLUB COMPLETE HISTORIC TREBLE SUCCESS

RECORD BREAKING BELPER STRUTT CLUB
L-R: Steve Bullock, Mark Newby, Paul Jarrett and Wayne Shooter.

BELPER STRUTT CLUB completed the best season yet for any team since all four major trophies were introduced into the seasonal programme as they defeated Edgefold No 2 team 3-2 at Crich Comrades Club to secure their third piece of silverware to go with one runners up prize.
Already having won the Hartshorne Cup for the League Championship and the Captains Cup aggregate competition, Strutt were off to the best possible start with Paul Jarrett getting the better of Matlock danger man Sean Dobney 61-42 in the opener.
Rob Dicken levelled matters in the next with a 52-38 success but Mark Newby restored the Amber Valley cuemen's advantage with a 60-48 verdict to make it 2-1.
And the victory was assured after the tighest battle of the night saw Steve Bullock edge out Steve Burton 54-46 before Edgefold's Dobney and Dicken took the academic doubles leg at the end to keep the score to the minimum margin.
Congratulations to Strutt Club on a great season which will only be bettered if someone does the grand slam of all four trophies so we may be waiting some time for that accolade!
Jaeger Trophy Champion of Champions play off final: Belper Strutt Club 3, Edgefold Matlock No 2 2 (at Crich Comrades Club) 61-42; 38-52; 60-48; 54-46; 39-61.

DOBNEY AND DICKEN TOO HOT TO HANDLE IN PAIRS FINAL

SEAN DOBNEY and ROB DICKEN (Edgefold 2) 2017/18 Pairs Handicap winners

EDGEFOLD'S Sean Dobney and Rob Dicken lifted the Denis Morton Pairs Handicap Trophy at Belper Strutt Club as they defeated Graham Jones and Ian McKay of Matlock Golf Club 4-1 in the final.
An edgy opener saw Jones take brown and blue before rattling the pink as he attempted a last gasp steal but the eventual winners held on to take the frame 51-35.
The next three frames all went down to the final black in a game of narrow margins.
A double on pink from Dobney left a comfortable black for 2-0 though the same player unfortunately went in off from long range in the next as the golfers stayed in contention despite a run of 20 from Dicken.
Again Dobney was the focal point at the end of frame four as he pulled out an amazing array of pots on blue, pink and black to snatch the frame for his pairing 63-61 aided by Dicken's earlier break of 21.
And soon afterwards the game was safe with a 73-38 verdict in frame four despite Jones' scoring a break of 24 in a vain rescue act.
In the Jaeger Trophy play off semi final, the same players clashed swords again and Edgefold No 2 shaded the match 3-2 to earn a place against champions Belper Strutt Club in the final.
Dobney (23 break) took the opener in fine style and Dicken added the second in a tight contest for 2-0. However, Golf Club fought back bravely with Jones and Tony Blant taking the game to the final doubles in which the terrific twosome Dicken and Dobney again came up trumps with a narrow 55-43 success to complete a triumphant week.
Denis Morton Pairs Handicap Trophy final: Graham Jones / Ian McKay 1, Sean Dobney / Rob Dicken 4 (35-51; 46-51; 50-43(20); 61-63(21); 38(24)-73).
Jaeger Trophy Champion of Champions semi final: Edgefold Matlock No 2 3, Matlock Golf Club 2.
Breaks: G Jones 24; S Dobney 23; R Dicken 21,20.

STRUTT CLUB AND GOLF CLUB RUN RIOT IN CUP FINALS

BELPER STRUTT CLUB League and Cup winners L-R: Mark Newby, Paul Jarrett, Wayne Shooter and Steve Bullock. Also played: Justin Weller.

THE FINALS of the two points aggregate competitions took place this week and ended in emphatic wins for Belper Strutt Club and Matlock Golf Club respectively.
Strutt lifted the prestigious Captains Cup as they defeated Bolehill Institute No 2 343-226 at the Edgefold Club in what was actually a repeeat of last seasons Plate final.
Steve Bullock edged the opener 55-52 before Paul Jarrett added the next 92-43 to give the Belper cuemen a nice buffer.
The pairs leg was played next and Bolehill came back into contention with a 77-53 win for Ian Peacock (28 break) and Mark Sayer but that is as good as it got for the vanquished.
Wayne Shooter and Mark Newby each scored wide margin successes on a night of celebration for the victors who had done a League and Cup double.

MATLOCK GOLF CLUB Plate winners L-R: Tony Blant, Ian McKay, Graham Jones and Paul Roe. Also played: Chris Parker and Charlie Hodgkinson.

The Golf Club defeated Edgefold No 1 363-247 at home despite Duncan Harwood's early salvo for the visitors. Paul Roe notched 92pts in the next and Graham Jones 93pts in frame three, highlighted by a break of 41 before Tony Blant took the next on the black.

ADE SMITH and STEVE BULLOCK, Intermediate finalists

Also played was the "B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap final with Ade Smith defeating Steve Bullock 3-1 at Alfreton Palmer Morewood, taking control with a clearance from green to pink in the second frame.
Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) final: Belper Strutt Club 343, Bolehill Institute No 2 226 (at Edgefold Club, Matlock).
Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Aggregate Consolation) final: Matlock Golf Club 363, Edgefold Matlock No 1 247.
"B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap final: Ade Smith (Crich Comrades) 3, Steve Bullock (Belper Strutt Club 1 (61-17, 54-41 ,44-68, 77-34).
Breaks: G Jones 41; I Peacock 28.

BELPER STRUTT TAKE TITLE ON THE MOST WINS RULING

RICKI SLACK and GRAHAM JONES did battle in the OMYA Cup final

WITH three teams level going into the final round of Ashford Arms Premier League matches, the number of matches won over the season was almost as important as points on the board and in the end it was just that stat that seperate the top two protagonists, Belper Strutt Club and Edgefold No 2.
Edgefold No 1, the third team sharing the lead at the start of play, fell 4-1 at home to Bolehill No 2 to leave themselves out of contention as only Duncan Harwood could get on the winners roster whilst Martin Forster top scored for the visitors.
Edgefold No 2 put themselves in with a real shout with a 4-1 win at Bolehill No 1, three of those coming on the deciding black with Sean Dobney top scoring. Ricki Slack had given the hosts an early advantage but the Matlock side showed great battling qualities to take some close games.
That left Belper Strutt Club needing to match their score at home to Crich Comrades, as they had the edge on games won and what a thriller it proved to be with the result finally coming through at 11.30pm following a titanic battle.
Mark Newby took the opener on the black and then Steve Bullock pulled one out of the fire as he came back from two snookers required to add the second 52-48,

JUSTIN WELLER slammed home the last black

Justin Weller added the third 59-25 but just as things were looking rosy Keith Fretwell pulled one back with a convincing 82-41 scoreline to leave the hosts on tenterhooks.
However, T & M Motors player of the week Weller stepped up to the plate in the deciding doubles leg to slam home a tremendous long black adjacent to the side cushion and leave Strutt as champions in dramatic circumstances.
Matlock Golf Club's 5-0 win from their final match with Alfreton left them one point adrift of the top two with Ian McKay lifting the player of the season award with 13 wins from 15 outings.
Alfreton had edged out Matlock Club 3-2 earlier in the week with Guy Taylor and Paul Bryan (24 break) top scoring respectively.
The OMYA Cup Individual Scratch final was also played and went to Bolehill No 1's Ricki Slack for a fifth time, defeating Graham Jones of Matlock Golf Club 4-0 who was runner-up for the third consecutive season.
Slack had five breaks of 20+ en route to victory whilst nothing went quite right for his opponent on the night. Thanks to Duncan Harwood for officiating.
League week 18 results: Edgefold Matlock No 1 1, Bolehill Institute No 2 4; Bolehill Institute No 1 1, Edgefold Matlock No 2 4; Belper Strutt Club 4, Crich Comrades 1; Matlock Golf Club 5, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 0; Alfreton Palmer Morewood 3, Matlock Club 2.
OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) final: Ricki Slack 4, Graham Jones 0 (65(28)-26; 69(25,24)-18; 62(23)-53; 62(20)-40.)
Breaks: R Slack 28,25,24,23,23,20; K Robertson 24; P Bryan 24.

Ashford Arms Premier League   P       W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt Club                         16      12       4      48

Edgefold Matlock No 2                 16      10       6      48

Matlock Golf Club                         16      11       5      47
Edgefold Matlock No 1                 16        9       7      45

Bolehill Institute No 1                    16        8       8      39

Bolehill Institute No 2                    16        9       7      36

Alfreton Palmer Morewood           16        6     10      35

Crich Comrades                            16        5     11      33 

Matlock Club                                 16        2     14      29

Leading wins: I McKay 13/15; S Dobney 12/15.

Leading breaks: K Robertson 55; R Slack 54.

THREE TEAMS LEVEL IN LAST WEEK OF TITLE CHASE

KEVIN MUNNELLY shakes hands with eventual Open Handicap final winner SEAN DOBNEY at Matlock Club

THREE teams tee up for the final round of Ashford Arms Premier League matches on level points as both Edgefold teams do battle with Belper Strutt Club to be end of season table toppers with Matlock Golf Club hot on their heels just two points adrift and waiting for any possible slip-ups.
Last week's games saw Edgefold No1 make the most progress as their 4-1 win at Crich Comrades put them back on terms with the teams above them who both fell to 3-2 defeats.

Edgefold were completing their second win of the week over the Tramway villagemen, having earned a Jimmy Harper Plate final spot courtesy of a 302-265 win whcih saw Rob Muxlow and Keith Fretwell top scoring for their respective teams.

This time around Neil Parkinson and Nick Berry shared the opening frames and then hard fought wins for Duncan Harwood and Jason Ankers took the pressure off before the same pairing teamed up to take the concluding doubles leg.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood shocked the other Edgefold team with Derek Smith and |Ryan Taylor in fine form though Sean Dobney took his singles and doubles legs with breaks of 32 and 22.

Belper Strutt Club were edged out at the Golf Club, where Ian McKay had runs of 26 and 24 and Chris Parker (T&M Motors player of the week) 32 in the deciding pairs frame. Steve Bullock top scored for the visitors.

The Bolehill derby went to the No 2 team with Mick Bunting fluking the pink in the doubles and then taking his singles with a late rally after it looked like the No 1 team were in the ascendency with wins for Ricki Slack and Simon Zoppi.

Sean Dobney made no mistake in his Open Individual Handicap final at Matlock Club as he defeated Kevin Munnelly of Bolehill 4-1, taking the first on the black and always just doing enough amongst the balls to keep his opponent at bay.

Ashford Arms Premier League week 15 results: Crich Comrades 1, Edgefold Matlock No 1 4; Edgefold Matlock No 2 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 3; Matlock Golf Club 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Bolehill Institute No 2 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2.
Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Agg Consolation): Edgefold Matlock No 1 302, Crich Comrades 265.
Open Individual Handicap final (at Matlock Club): Sean Dobney 4, Kevin Munnelly 1 (58-47, 72-37,  80(24)-47, 28-57, 63-43).
Breaks: S Dobney 32,24,22; C Parker 32; I McKay 26,24; S Zoppi 20.

Ashford Arms Premier League   P       W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt Club                         15      11       4      44
Edgefold Matlock No 1                 15        9       6      44

Edgefold Matlock No 2                 15        9       6      44
Matlock Golf Club                         15      10       5      42
Bolehill Institute No 1                    15        8       7      38

Bolehill Institute No 2                    15        8       7      32

Alfreton Palmer Morewood           14        5       9      32

Crich Comrades                            15        5     10      32 

Matlock Club                                 15        2     13      27

Leading wins: I McKay 12/14; S Dobney 11/14; J Ankers 11/15.

Leading breaks: K Robertson 55; R Slack 54.