BUMPER TURNOUT AT STRUTT AS LES SHOWS HIS CLASS

ADE SMITH (runner-up) and LES MOONEY (winner) with the ALAN HOPKINSON TROPHY

A RECORD-BREAKING night at Belper Strutt Club saw a fantastic turnout of 22 players contesting the annual Christmas Shootout handicap competitions and once again it was an action-packed evening full of thrills, spills, banter and festive fun with a total of £110 handed out in prize money and both regular contests going down to the final black.

The event started and finished with the Alan Hopkinson Trophy individual knockout, played with three reds up to the final due to the large number of entries and it was Matlock Golf Club's Les Mooney who came to the fore, defeating Jack Lowe, Dale Shaw, Andrew Brough, Steve Bullock and finally Ade Smith in the final where six reds were employed.

Mooney, who is also enjoying a good season for Birdholme WMC in the Chesterfield League's top division, showed his class to eke out a last gasp win with a thin clip on the black from long range after Smith's attempt had rattled in the jaws, also from distance.

RICKI SLACK with the GEORGE MILLS TROPHY for the scotch doubles event

It was so near yet so far for Crich Comrades captain Smith, who also was denied in the scotch doubles final along with partner Andrew Brough by opponents Wayne Shooter (Strutt Club) and Ricki Slack (Bolehill).

WAYNE SHOOTER ... George Mills Trophy winner

Shooter took pink and after a bout of safety-play Slack sank a straight black down the side cushion into the green pocket with little other option from mid-range to take the George Mills Trophy.
Wayne appears on the honours list in the event for the second time in four years after previous success with team-mate Mark Newby in 2016.

DES SMITH ... fastest cueman in the Amber Valley

Alfreton Palmer Morewood continued their ongoing love affair with the Speed Snooker event and this time it was one of the league's most talented potters Des Smith who came to the fore to hold aloft the Eddie Lomas Trophy, seeing off Whitworth billiards competitor Gray Astle in the final to follow in the footsteps of his captain Andrew Haggarty, who won in successive years in 2016 and 2017.

Haggarty himself put up a brave effort for a hat-trick having missed last season, going down by the narrowest of margins in the quarter-finals to Paul Jarrett, who was involved in several thrilling finishes during the evening, before eventually bowing out in the semi-final.

Thanks to Belper Strutt Club for hosting and to everyone who turned out to make it another memorable night. It just remains to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all participants of the T & M Motors Snooker and Elliott Carpets Billiards Leagues and look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.

Alan Hopkinson Trophy (3/6 red individual handicap) winner, Les Mooney (Matlock Golf Club); runner-up, Ade Smith (Crich Comrades No 1).

George Mills trophy (3/6 red scotch doubles handicap) winners, Ricki Slack (Bolehill Institute No 1) and Wayne Shooter (Belper Strutt Club); runners-up, Ade Smith (Crich Comrades No 1) and Andrew Brough (Bolehill Institute No 1).

Eddie Lomas Trophy (speed snooker handicap, clearing the colours) winner, Des Smith (Alfreton Palmer Morewood); runner-up, Gray Astle (Whitworth Institute No 2 billiards team).