Sunday 25 December 2022

UPDATED COMPETITION DRAWS FOR SCRATCH & H'CAP

THE draws for the second rounds of the relevant 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 (please give more than 48 hours notice). 7.30pm start unless stated or else agreed differently prior to match.
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.
Contact relevant team captains or the secretary for any required contact info.
Dates will be added for later rounds when match ups become known.
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 parties, all matches best of 5 this season with finals best of 7 (except "B" final which is best of 5).
Note that substitute players switching over from other teams in same club are not eligible to play in team semi finals or finals.

BOB McCARTIN SIX RED TEAM CUP Semi Finals
Best of 7 Frames - 7.30pm (w/c January 3rd)
Four singles and three scotch doubles frames (use six red handicaps)
Tue Jan 03: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 v Tansley Potters
Sun Jan 08: Edgefold Matlock No 1 v Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1

DENIS MORTON PAIRS HANDICAP TROPHY First Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm unless stated
Mon Jan 02: R Muxlow / R Taylor (Edg 2) +5 v S Dobney / J Travis (Edg 1) -5
Thu Jan 05: D Smith / T Broughton (APM 1) -7 v L Mooney / T Blant (MGC) -12
Others receive byes to second round

CAPTAINS CUP (Team Aggregate) First Round
5 Frames - Overall Points Aggregate To Count
Mon Jan 09: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 v Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2
Tue Jan 10: Tansley Potters v Edgefold Matlock No 2
Others receive byes to second round

RE-ARRANGED LEAGUE GAME (Both teams are free this week if suitable)
Tue Jan 10: Matlock Golf Club v Belper Strutt Club (7pm)

OPEN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP Second Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm unless stated
Mon Jan 09: Sean Dobney (Edgefold 1) -15 v Rob Muxlow* (Edgefold) -5 (7pm)
Mon Jan 09: Ricki Slack (Bolehill) -20 v Justin Weller (Belper Strutt) -15
Mon Jan 09: Steven Clark (Edgefold 1) +5 v Graham Jones (MGC) -15
Tue Jan 10: Ben Monk (Alfreton PM 2) -35 v John Smith (Alfreton PM 1) +5
Wed Jan 11: Joe Neville (Tansley) 0 v James Travis (Edgefold) +5
Wed Jan 11: Ian McKay (MGC) -15 v Jack Lowe (Alfreton PM 3) +5 (7pm)
Thu Jan 12: Des Smith (Alfreton PM 1) -5 v Keith Robertson (Bolehill) -10
Sun Jan 15: Ady Lowe (Alfreton PM 3) -10 v Josh Lee (Edgefold 1) +5

OMYA CUP (Individual Scratch) Second Round
Best of 5 Frames - No handicaps - 7.30pm unless stated
Mon Jan 16: Justin Weller (Belper Strutt) v Rob Muxlow* (Edgefold) (7pm)
Tue Jan 17: Duncan Harwood (Edgefold 1) v Steven Clark (Edgefold 1)
Tue Jan 17: Les Mooney (MGC) v James Travis (Edgefold 1)
Wed Jan 18: Roy Taylor (Edgefold 2) v Josh Lee (Edgefold 1)
Wed Jan 18: Joe Neville (Tansley) v Ben Monk (Alfreton PM 2)
Wed Jan 18: Ricki Slack (Bolehill) v Ady Lowe (Alfreton PM 3)
Thu Jan 19: Ian Doe (Edgefold 1) v Graham Jones (MGC)
Fri Jan 20: Keith Robertson (Bolehill) v Sean Dobney (Edgefold 1)

(* Rob Muxlow has limited availability usually restricted to Mondays so early start suggested as team matches will be taking place the same day, please arrange as best suits.)

Next draws to be published will be the Quarter Finals of all singles and doubles competitions when qualifiers are known.

THE EVENT SPECIALISTS REIGN SUPREME ONCE MORE!

SEAN DOBNEY 
THE POPULAR Christmas Snooker Shootout night produced its usual laughs, thrills and spills along with some hard fought competitive snooker as a field of eighteen turned out as the event made its first appareance at Matlock's Edgefold Club.

The Alan Hopkinson Trophy started proceedings and it was the Edgefold No 1's very own Sean Dobney who snaffled the trophy following up previous wins in the event in 2014 and 2015 when held at Jaxx Q Club.
Sean came through a tough section, also playing in the preliminary round to see off Paul Jarrett (via a fluke on the black!), Des Smith, Andrew Haggarty and Mark Newby before taking on Alfreton No 3's up and coming Jack Lowe in the final.
A run of 24 put the home player well on route to his third win, and despite a red-pink riposte from Lowe, the early colours went Dobney's way to secure his success.

ANDREW HAGGARTY
Andrew Haggarty has pretty much made the Eddie Lomas Speed Snooker Trophy his own in recent years, and it was no exception here as he proved he has all it takes for this unique event once again, making it a fourth win in six seasons overall.
With little table time under his belt this season due to work commitments, there were signs of rustiness in Andy's first clash with Rob Mulliss which he sneaked through before gradually getting into gear in his favourite format.
Victories over team-mate John Smith and Jack Lowe ensued before he saw off Belper Strutt Club's Wayne Shooter in the final in a repeat of the 2016 showdown. Wayne was also a runner-up in the event in 2018 and came through the most exciting match of the event with Roy Taylor when his black ball was adjudged to enter the pocket a milli-second before that of his opponent, who had actually  gotten his shot away first but at a more delicate pace.
Also noteworthy in the event were two miraculous comebacks from Mark Newby, who had looked down and out before a couple of incredible rescue acts, though ultimately it was Shooter, another well suited by this discipline, who ended his run.
Unluckiest player was undoubtedly Duncan Harwood who ended up snookered after playing for the next colour only to find the referee had made an error and not replaced the previous ball on time which then left him cruelly snookered having originally gained what looked a good position so we can only apologise (wasn't me this time though, still remember forgetting to give Charlie the rest a few years ago!!)

WAYNE SHOOTER and ANDREW HAGGARTY
The George Mills Scotch Doubles Trophy completed the night's programme, and again it was Haggarty who was triumphant at the end as he teamed up with his fellow speed finalist Shooter to edge out Ady Lowe and Sean Dobney on the blue. This was Wayne's third win in the event, all with different partners where pairings are drawn out of a hat.

Thanks to all the players who attended, the Edgefold Club for hosting for the first time, and also to James Travis and his associates who took care of the catering side. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alan Hopkinson Trophy (six reds snooker handicap): winner, Sean Dobney (Edgefold No 1); runner up, Jack Lowe (Alfreton PM No 3).
Eddie Lomas Trophy (speed snoooker, clearing colours, handicap): winner, Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton PM No 1); runner-up, Wayne Shooter (Belper Strutt Club).
George Mills Trophy (six reds scotch doubles handicap): winners, Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton PM No 1) and Wayne Shooter (Belper Strutt Club): runners-up, Sean Dobney (Edgefold No 1) and Ady Lowe (Alfreton PM No 3).
Breaks: S Dobney 24 (in singles final).

Sunday 18 December 2022

ALFRETON TEAMS SUCCEED IN RIP-ROARING CONTESTS

DES SMITH
HOLDERS Belper Strutt Club, with such an impressive record over the years in the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup, were toppled 4-3 on Campbell Street by Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 in one of a couple of games to do right down to the wire in the quarter final stages.
Des Smith, who was to have a fantastic evening, got the visitors off to a great start with an emphatic 53-7 win in the opener before Justin Weller (21 break) equalised soon afterwards.
Wayne Shooter then edged the hosts in front but again it was level with John Smith taking the next.
So all rested on the scotch doubles legs and it was Weller and Paul Jarrett who struck first to give Strutt a 3-2 advantage before man of the night Des Smith teamed up with firstly Brian Fullard and then brother John for successive narrow margin successes to tilt the game in their favour.

Alfreton No 2 were also taken the distance by Edgefold No 2. Ben Monk (28 & 23 breaks) took the opener but the Matlock men twice levelled through Jamie Wright and Dal Abu-Bakr before eventually Andrew Beardsley and Jamie Rowland took the decisive doubles leg for the hosts with a 52-22 verdict.

The other games saw much more comfortable passages to the next stage. Tansley Potters saw off  Bolehill Institute 6-1 with Gray Astle and Steve Hawkins thrice successful and only Keith Robertson managing a positive reply.

And Edgefold No 1 defeated Matlock Golf Club 4-1 with Duncan Harwood (22 break) notching a 57-9 victory margin and only Ian McKay with a black ball success responding.

In the Billiards semi final of the Captains Cup, Mayfield Institute defeated Tansley Potters with individual wins for Keith Gregory and Steve Hawkins.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup quarter finals: Belper Strutt Club 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 4; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 4, Edgefold Matlock No 2 3; Tansley Potters 6, Bolehill Institute 1; Edgefold Matlock No 1 4, Matlock Golf Club 1.
Breaks (inc. comps): B Monk 28,23; I McKay 28; J Neville 23; D Smith 22; D Harwood 22; J Weller 21.

Billiards Captains Cup semi final: Mayfield Institute beat Tansley Potters.

Monday 12 December 2022

IT PAYS TO BE AWAY AS LEAGUE POSITIONS TIGHTEN UP

GRAHAM JONES
IT WAS definitely a week to be on your travels in the T & M Motors Snooker League during the seventh round of fixtures with all the away teams recording successes and each one by the minimum margin, which has resulted in a general tightening of the league placings.
Matlock Golf Club were back in action for the first time in three weeks and hosted Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 with Les Mooney setting the ball rolling by taking the opener for the golfers.
Dale Shaw took a black ball victory in the next however to equalise and then Jack Lowe notched his fifth win in six games to give the Amber Valley cuemen the advantage.
Graham Jones struck back with his fifth straight league win for 2-2 but in the doubles the Lowes Jack and Ady secured a 72-43 success to take the glory.

Alfreton No 1 have clicked into gear in the last fortnight and defeated leaders Edgefold No 1 with Brian Fullard winning his second straight game since coming into the fold and which also secured a 3-0 lead before a late rally from the Matlock side instigated by Josh Lee.

Tansley Potters shocked hitherto unbeaten leaders and current champions Alfreton No 2 with the Nevilles, Radford and Joe taking their singles legs before Gray Astle and Steve Hawkins swooped to conquer in the doubles. Ben Monk (84pts) top scored for the vanquished.

Crich Comrades saw off Belper Strutt Club after a tight battle. Steve Bullock top scored for the hosts but Paul Trevett took each of his singles and doubles leg as he teamed up with Rob Mulliss in the decider to secure the victory.

And Edgefold No 2 were back to winning ways as they overcame Bolehill Institute with Roy Taylor, Giddy Gamble and Dal Abu Bakr all showing impressive form whilst Keith Robertson was triumphant in singles and doubles for the Wirksworth line-up.

League week 7 results: Matlock Golf Club 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 3; Edgefold Matlock No 1 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 2, Tansley Potters 3; Belper Strutt Club 2, Crich Comrades 3; Bolehill Institute 2, Edgefold No 2 3.
Breaks (inc. competitions): R Slack 33,25,24; D Harwood 27,22; J Smith 25; K Robertson 23; D Abu-Bakr 21; P Trevett 20.

T & M Motors Snooker League        P        W       L       Pts 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                        7          3        4       19
Tansley Potters                                    7          5        2       18
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                  6          4        
2       18 
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                  5          4        1       17
Matlock Golf Club                                5          3        2       15 

Bolehill Institute                                   7          2        5       15
Crich Comrades                                  6          3         3      14
Edgefold Matlock No 2                        7          3        4       14 
Belper Strutt Club                                6          2        4       13

Alfreton P Morewood No 1                  6          2        4       12
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, S Dobney 47.
Leading wins: G Jones 5/5; J Lowe 5/6; J Lee 4/5.


Sunday 4 December 2022

DEBUT SUCCESS FOR BRIAN AS ALFRETON WIN AT BELPER

JOHN SMITH
ALFRETON PALMER MOREWOOD No 1 gained their opening T & M Motors Snooker League victory of the campaign as they shocked perennial challengers Belper Strutt Club 4-1 with new signing Brian Fullard getting them off to a flyer on his debut with a black ball success.
With Tom Broughton unavailable so far this season and  the recent loss of the Taylors who have moved out of the area, it was just the tonic they needed and Des Smith made it 2-0 with a hard earned win in the next.
Mark Newby pulled one back for the hosts but John Smith made sure at 3-1 before teaming up with Des for a black ball pairs verdict on a great night for the visitors.

Alfreton No 3 also enjoyed a cracking evening with a 5-0 clean sweep over Crich Comrades. Dale Shaw top scored while Ady and Jack Lowe took each of their singles and doubles legs.

Edgefold No 1 edged out Bolehill Institute 3-2 with Josh Lee (81pts) and James Travis (86pts) in inspired mood in the early frames before Ricki Slack and Ian Birks levelled with runs of 28 and 24 respectively. But the deciding doubles leg went the way of the hosts as Steven Clark took the last three balls for a 63-28 clincher.

The other game to take place saw Tansley Potters defeat Edgefold No 2 4-1. Radford Neville was in sparkling form with a 62-8 win whilst Dal Abu-Bakr notched for the Matlock cuemen.

In the Elliott Carpets Billiards League, Bolehill Institute continued their spirited run with an 11-9 defeat of Tansley Potters.

Snooker League week 6 results: Belper Strutt Club 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 4; Alfreton Palmer Morewood 5, Crich Comrades 0; Edgefold Matlock No 1 3, Bolehill Institute 2; Tansley Potters 4, Edgefold Matlock No 2 1.
Breaks: R Slack 28; I Birks 24; D Harwood 21.

Billiards League results: Tansley Potters 9, Bolehill Institute 11.

T & M Motors Snooker League        P        W       L       Pts 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                        6          3        3       17
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                  4          4        0       15
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                  5          3        2       15 
Tansley Potters                                    6          4        2       15
Matlock Golf Club                                4          3        1       13 
Bolehill Institute                                   6          2        4       13
Belper Strutt Club                                5          2        3       11
Crich Comrades                                  5          2         3      11
Edgefold Matlock No 2                        6          2        4       11 
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                  5          1         4        9
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, S Dobney 47.
Leading wins: G Jones 4/4; R Mulliss, J Lowe & R Slack 4/5.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League       P     W      D       L     Pts
Bolehill Institute                                   6      4       1       1      66
Whitworth Institute                              4       3       0       1      50
Mayfield Institute                                 4       1       1       2      37
Tansley Potters                                   4       0       0       4      34
Leading breaks: J McCann 57, S Hawkins 46.
Leading wins: R Slack 5/6; J McCann 4/4.

Sunday 27 November 2022

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 (please give more than 48 hours notice). 7.30pm start unless stated or else agreed differently prior to match.
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.
Contact relevant team captains or the secretary for any required contact info.
Dates will be added for later rounds when match ups become known.
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 parties, all matches best of 5 this season with finals best of 7 (except "B" final which is best of 5).
Note that substitute players switching over from other teams in same club are not eligible to play in team semi finals or finals.

OPEN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP First Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm
Tue Dec 06: Duncan Harwood (Edgefold 1) 0 v Ricki Slack (Bolehill) -20
Wed Dec 07: Joe Neville (Tansley) 0 v Ian Doe (Edgefold 1) -5
Wed Dec 07: Roy Taylor (Edgefold 2) +15 v Ady Lowe (Alfreton PM 3) -10
Tue Dec 13: Graham Jones (MGC) -15 v Paul Trevett (Crich Coms) 0
Others receive byes to second round

"B" (INTERMEDIATE) INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP First Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm
Tue Dec 06: Des Smith (Alfreton PM 1) -5 v Paul Trevett (Crich Coms) 0
Sun Dec 11: Rob Muxlow (Edgefold 2) -5 v Jack Lowe (Alfreton PM 3) +5
Tue Dec 13: Joe Neville (Tansley) 0 v Duncan Harwood (Edgefold 1) 0
Wed Dec 14: James Travis (Edgefold 1) +5 v Josh Lee (Edgefold 1) +5
Others receive byes to second round

BOB McCARTIN SIX RED TEAM CUP Quarter Finals
Best of 7 Frames - 7.30pm unless stated
Four singles and three scotch doubles frames (use six red handicaps)
Mon Dec 12: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 v Edgefold Matlock No2
Mon Dec 12: Belper Strutt Club v Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1
Mon Dec 12: Tansley Potters v Bolehill Institute
Mon Dec 12: Edgefold Matlock No 1 v Matlock Golf Club

CHRISTMAS SIX RED SHOOTOUT NIGHT
Singles, Doubles and Speed Snooker Competitions (Handicaps)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19th (prov) at EDGEFOLD - 6.45pm draw
You can register by leaving a message if you can't make it for start time but we are aiming to get off to an an early start after a late finish last year!

OMYA CUP (Individual Scratch) First Round
Best of 5 Frames - No handicaps - 7.30pm
Tue Dec 20: Keith Robertson (Bolehill) v Jack Lowe (Alfreton PM 3)
Others receive byes to second round

BOB McCARTIN SIX RED TEAM CUP Semi Finals
Best of 7 Frames - 7.30pm (w/c January 3rd)
Four singles and three scotch doubles frames (use six red handicaps)
Tue Jan 03: Alfreton PM 2 or Edgefold 2 v Tansley or Bolehill
Tue Jan 03: Edgefold or MGC v Belper Strutt or Alfreton PM 1

DENIS MORTON PAIRS HANDICAP TROPHY First Round
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm
Mon Jan 02: R Muxlow / R Taylor (Edg 2) +5 v S Dobney / J Travis (Edg 1) -5
Thu Jan 05: D Smith / T Broughton (APM 1) -7 v L Mooney / T Blant (MGC) -12
Others receive byes to second round

CAPTAINS CUP (Team Aggregate) First Round
5 Frames - Overall Points Aggregate To Count
Mon Jan 09: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 v Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2
Mon Jan 09: Tansley Potters v Edgefold Matlock No2

Next draws to be published will be Round 2 of the Individual Handicap (to be played w/c Jan 9) and Round 2 of the OMYA Cup (to be played w/c Jan 16) when all match ups are known.

DONNER PUTS ON ANOTHER SPECTACTULAR IN ALFRETON

STEVE DONNER of Alfreton PM No 2
THERE were two big local derbies in the T & M Motors Snooker League this week as Edgefold No 2 entertained Edgefold No 1 while Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 took on Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2.
The Amber Valley clash produced fireworks last season with Steve Donner compiling the highest league break ever of 120 and the ace cueman who hails originally from Cleethorpes was in sublime form again with a magnificent run of 92 hot on the heels of a 117 he made earlier in the night in the Chesterfield League just for good measure.
In fact, all the No 2 team were in fine fettle with Ben Monk notching 92pts, Andrew Beardsley 81 and Kyle Ryde 80 en route to an unstoppable 5-0 success.

Sean Dobney did his best to match that in the clash of the Edgefold men, and he responded with breaks of 47 and 30 as they completed their own whitewash, James Travis was likewise cueing majestically, scoring 87pts in the singles and then 90 in the doubles with Dobney.

Elsewhere, Rob Mulliss continued his impressive start for Crich Comrades with his fourth straight win and breaks of 39 and 31 as his team defeated Tansley Potters 4-1.
Steve Hawkins reeled off breaks of 22 and 20 for the visitors but even then Paul Trevett with some supreme matchplay snatched victory for the Tramwaymen on the black, all this after Joe Neville had put his team in front early doors.

And there was an emphatic win for Alfreton No 3 as they saw off Bolehill Institute 4-1. Graeme Wood got the balls rolling with a superb 95-point salvo in the opener and then Ady and Jack Lowe won each of their singles and doubles, the latter on the black, after Keith Robertson had replied for the vanquished.

Just one match in the Elliott Carpets Billiards League saw Mayfield and Bolehill Institutes share the spoils 11-11 with Keith Gregory and Ricki Slack cancelling out each other's successes respectively.
Snooker League week 5 results: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 0, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 5; Edgefold Matlock No2 0, Edgefold Matlock No1 5; Crich Comrades 4, Tansley Potters 1; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 4, Bolehill Institute 1.
Breaks: S Donner 92; S Dobney 47,30; R Mulliss 39,31; S Hawkins 22,20; J Travis 22; A Lowe 22; G Wood 22.
Billiards League week 5 results: Mayfield Institute 11, Bolehill Institute 11.

T & M Motors Snooker League        P        W       L       Pts 
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                  4          4        0       15
Edgefold Matlock No 1                        5          2        3       14
Matlock Golf Club                                4          3        1       13 
Tansley Potters                                    5          3        2       11
Crich Comrades                                  4          2         2      11
Bolehill Institute                                   5          2        3       11
Belper Strutt Club                                4          2        2       10
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                  4          2       
2       10 
Edgefold Matlock No 2                        5          2        3       10 
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                  4          0         4        5
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, S Dobney 47.
Leading wins: G Jones & R Mulliss 4/4.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League       P     W      D       L     Pts
Bolehill Institute                                   5      3       1       1      55
Whitworth Institute                              4       3       0       1      50
Mayfield Institute                                 4       1       1       2      37
Tansley Potters                                   3       0       0       3      25
Leading breaks: J McCann 57, S Hawkins 46.
Leading wins: J McCann 4/4; R Slack 4/5.
                           

Monday 21 November 2022

TANSLEY STAGE THE COMEBACK OF THE GROUP STAGES

JOE NEVILLE
THE FINAL round of Bob McCartin Six Red Cup group matches saw an incredible turnaround as Tansley Potters confirmed their position at the top of Group C thanks to an amazing 4-3 win from 0-3 adrift at Edgefold No 2.
Roy Taylor, Rob Muxlow and Jamie Wright put the hosts into the ascendancy but the Tansley cuemen showed their battling qualities and Gray Astle took the last of the singles legs to keep them in the hunt.
Steve Hawkins and Joe Neville pulled another back in the first of the scotch doubles and after Gray Astle and Radford Neville levelled, everything rested on the decider.
And in a thrilling black ball clincher, it was the Nevilles, Radford and Joe who prevailed in a real cliffhanger.
There was a silver lining for the hosts however, who qualify on the countback of singles frames won in the qualifying stage after having an identical record with Alfreton No 3.

Ady Lowe's team just miss out on the knockout stage after a 4-3 defeat to Belper Strutt Club in Group B.
Paul Jarrett and Wayne Shooter had put Strutt 4-1 up before Dale Shaw teamed up with firstly Ady and then Jack Lowe to reduce the deficit to the minimum margin.

Crich Comrades also miss out unbelievably despite winning two out of their three matches in Group A with the heavy defeat at Edgefold in between proving costly. They enjoyed a fine 4-3 success on the night however over group winners Alfreton No 2 with Cliff Gould and Paul Trevett winning each of their singles and doubles.
Ben Monk with a 34 break had the visitors off to a flyer.

Edgefold No 1 defeated Bolehill Institute 4-3 in the other match in that section to confirm their placings in second and third respectively.
A superb long-range pot on the black from James Travis ensured victory for the Matlock side as he partnered Duncan Harwood to scotch doubles success before Keith Robertson and Ian Birks took the final leg, which in the end, proved crucial for the home side's qualification.

In the Elliott Carpets Billiards League, Bolehill Institute edged out Whitworth Institute 12-11 in a first defeat for the Darley Dale side. Jim McCann had runs of 45 and 31.
Bob McCartin Six Red Cup qualifying: Group A: Crich Comrades 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 3; Bolehill Institute 3, Edgefold Matlock No 1 4. Group B: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 3, Belper Strutt Club 4. Group C: Edgefold Matlock No 2 3, Tansley Potters 4.
Breaks: B Monk 34; R Slack 24.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League: Bolehill Institute 12, Whitworth Institute 11.
Breaks: J McCann 45,31.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup Qualifying Stage

Group A                              P         W         L         Pts
Alfreton P Morewood No2  3          2           1          14
Edgefold Matlock No1        3          2           1          11
Bolehill Institute                  3          0           3           9
Crich Comrades                 3          2           1           8

Group B                              P         W          L         Pts
Belper Strutt Club               2          2           0           8
Matlock Golf Club               2          1           1           7
Alfreton P Morewood No3  2          0           2           6

Group C                              P         W          L         Pts
Tansley Potters                    2          2           0           9
Alfreton P Morewood No1   2          1           1           6
Edgefold Matlock No2         2          0           2           6

The two bottom placed teams with the lowest points per game average are eliminated from quarter final stages.
Alfreton No 3 and Edgefold No 2 had an identical record but the latter qualify by virtue of winning more singles frames by 4-2 when assessing the preferential criteria.

Sunday 13 November 2022

MATLOCK GOLF CLUB MEAN BUSINESS AGAIN THIS YEAR

TONY BLANT
MATLOCK GOLF CLUB took advantage of the inactivity of Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 to go top of the T & M Motors Snooker League this week after securing a 4-1 home win over Edgefold No 2.
Champions in successive years pre-COVID, the golfers are already showing they mean business this time around and they blasted out of the traps to take the first three frames with emphatic performances from Ian McKay, Les Mooney and Tony Blant (27 break).
Dual Derbyshire champion in days gone by Graham Jones added the next on the black for his third win in a row before Steve Burton and Roy Taylor gained a consolation point in the doubles.

Edgefold No 1 took their first league victory, courtesy of a 4-1 defeat of the previous unbeaten Tansley Potters. Josh Lee top scored while Ian Doe (35 break) showed he is no back-number as he continues his return to the baize after a long absence. Steve Hawkins' black-ball success secured the visitors only point.

Also winning 4-1 were Bolehill Institute who saw off Alfreton No 1, Ricki Slack and Ian Birks successful in both singles and doubles whilst John Smith notched for the visitors.

And Alfreton No 3 enjoyed an excellent triumph at Belper Strutt Club with Dale Shaw turning out twice due to staff shortages for the visitors and continuing the excellent run of players who have defied the penalty handicap as he took the decisive fourth frame after Justin Weller with a superb 37 break had the hosts up and running early doors.
Just one Elliott Carpets Billiards League fixture saw Mayfield Institute edge out Tansley Potters 10-9. Steve Hawkins was in tremendous nick with runs of 46 and 41 but Mark Jennings (32 break) did just enough to get the home side over the line.
Snooker League week 4 results: Matlock Golf Club 4, Edgefold Matlock No 2 1; Edgefold Matlock No 1 4, Tansley Potters 1; Bolehill Institute 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 1; Belper Strutt Club 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 3.
Breaks: J Weller 37; I Doe 35; T Blant 27; R Slack 20.

Billiards League result: Mayfield Institute 10, Tansley Potters 9.
Breaks: S Hawkins 46,41; M Jennings 32.

T & M Motors Snooker League        P        W       L       Pts 
Matlock Golf Club                                4          3        1       13 
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                  3          3        0       10
Tansley Potters                                    4          3        1       10
Belper Strutt Club                                4          2        2       10
Bolehill Institute                                   4          2        2       10
Edgefold Matlock No 2                        4          2        2       10 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                         4         1         3        9
Crich Comrades                                   3         1         2        7
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                   3         1         2        6                   
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                   3         0         3        5
Leading breaks: R Neville 40, J Weller 37.
Leading wins: G Jones 4/4; R Slack & R Mulliss 3/3.

Sunday 6 November 2022

TOP 2 TEAMS EACH COME BACK FROM BRINK OF DEFEAT

ANDREW BEARDSLEY
EACH one of this week's T & M Snooker League fixtures finished in a minimum margin verdict with three being decided on the final doubles frame in a tightly contested quintet of games.
Best comeback was at reigning champs Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 who fell 0-2 behind to visitors Bolehill Institute and staged a rousing turnaround to take the spoils.
Ricki Slack took brown, blue and pink to seal the opener and then a fluke on the pink from Keith Robertson left Bolehill on the brink of success.
But they got no further than that and Andrew Beardsley took a high quality third frame with an early contribution of 27 and stunning late pots on brown, blue and pink after Simon Zoppi's riposte of 23 in the interim.
Jamie Rowland levelled it in the next with a narrow margin win and then teamed up with Beardsley to romp home in the doubles leg 73-20 to maintain the hosts' unbeaten run.

Tansley Potters also remain undefeated after coming back from the brink against Alfreton No 3, whom Dale Shaw had nudged 2-1 in front.
However a herculean effort from Steve Hawkins to come from the three snookers required stage and snatch a 69-68 verdict over a disbelieving Ady Lowe squared things up and Radford Neville's superb 40 break in the deciding doubles leg settled matters in their favour.

Edgefold No 2 defeated Alfreton No 2 3-2 with Rob Muxlow, Steve Burton and Jamie Wright in the winners circle whilst John Smith was undefeated in singles and doubles for the Amber Valley cuemen, teaming up with Phil Longden in the latter.

Belper Strutt Club went 3-0 up against Edgefold No 1 with Paul Jarrett top scoring before the Matlock cuemen found their feet with Sean Dobney notching a 31 break in the doubles, partnered by Steven Clark who also took the previous frame.

And Matlock Golf Club edged out Crich Comrades with Graham Jones and Ian McKay proving a thorn in the Tramwaymen's side with wins in both singles and doubles whilst Rob Mulliss and Paul Trevett replied for the home team.

In the Elliott Carpet Billiards League, Bolehill Institute defeated Tansley Potters 14-7 and Whitworth Institute got the better of Mayfield Institute.
League week 4 results: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2; Tansley Potters 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 2;  Edgefold Matlock No 2 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 2; Belper Strutt Club 3, Edgefold Matlock No 1 2; Crich Comrades 2, Matlock Golf Club 3.
Breaks: R Neville 40; S Dobney 31; A Beardsley 27; S Zoppi 23; B Monk 22.

T & M Motors Snooker League        P        W       L       Pts 
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                  3         3        0       10
Tansley Potters                                    3         3        0         9
Edgefold Matlock No 2                        3          2        1        9 
Matlock Golf Club                                3          2        1        9 
Belper Strutt Club                                3          2        1        8
Crich Comrades                                   3         1         2        7
Bolehill Institute                                    3         1         2        6
Edgefold Matlock No 1                         3         0         3        5
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                   2         0         2        4
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                   2         0         2        3                   
Leading breaks: R Neville 40, S Dobney 31.
Leading wins: R Mulliss, G Jones & P Jarrett 3/3.

Friday 28 October 2022

ITS A TAYLOR-MADE EVENT AS RYAN, GUY & ROY ALL WIN

RYAN TAYLOR
CONTINUING the series of recent cliff-hangers, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 defeated six red competition debutants Edgefold No 2 4-3 to keep their hopes alive in Group C with most teams still having a chance of qualifying going into the final round of matches in a couple of weeks time.
It was also very much a Taylor-made occasion with Guy and Ryan lining up for the hosts and Roy for the visitors, and ultimately there was a successful Taylor in six of the seven frames during the evening, surely that record will be very hard to beat!!
Roy struck first for the Matlock cuemen with a 31-24 success in the opener before Ryan equalised and Guy then nudged his team ahead with a 48-19 verdict.
John Smith then broke the mould to get a different surname on the winners roster with a narrow win to make it 3-1 but Roy teamed up firstly with Dan Stone and then with captain Dal Abu-Bakr to level the scores going into the final scotch doubles leg.
And it went right down to the wire before Guy Taylor and John Smith sneaked a 26-20 decider on the final black leaving everything to play for in the remaining group fixture.

Elsewhere, in Group B Belper Strutt Club opened their event campaign with a 4-3 win over Matlock Golf Club as they took all three scotch doubles legs to come from 1-3 adrift.
Mark Newby was successful in each of his legs while Graham Jones was top scorer for the golfers.

Group A saw Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 gain their second win, this time 4-3 at Bolehill Institute. Kyle Ryde and Ant McMahon produced the highlight of the night with a superb clearance of 42 in the scotch doubles which saw them 4-1 up before the hosts took the remaining two legs, Ian Birks and Keith Robertson with a 25 clearance in the first of them.
And Edgefold No 1, whitewashed by the Amber Valley cuemen in their opening six red game, dished out the same treatment to Crich Comrades to bring themselves well and truly back into the reckoning for qualification.
Several frames went down to the final black but the Tramwaymen couldn't get one over the line on a great night for the hosts with Duncan Harwood and Ian Doe each triumphant in all three frames they contested.

In the Elliott Carpets Billiards League, Whitworth Institute gained their second successive victory with an 11-9 verdict over Tansley Potters with Jim McCann and Steve Hawkins winning respectively whilst Bolehill Institute edged out Mayfield Institute 11-10 with Ricki Slack and Mark Jennings on target for opposing teams.
Bob McCartin Six Red Cup Group A: Bolehill Institute 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 4; Edgefold Matlock No 1 7, Crich Comrades 0. Group B: Belper Strutt Club 4, Matlock Golf Club 3, Group C: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 4, Edgefold Matlock No 2 3.
Elliott Carpets Billiards League: Tansley Potters 9, Whitworth Institute 11; Bolehill Institute 11, Mayfield Institute 10.
Breaks: K Ryde / A McMahon 42 (scotch doubles); D Harwood 27; K Robertson / I Birks 25 (scotch doubles); A Beardsley 22.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup Qualifying Stage

Group A                              P         W         L         Pts
Alfreton P Morewood No2  2          2           0          11
Edgefold Matlock No1        2          1           1           7
Bolehill Institute                  2          0           2           6
Crich Comrades                 2          1           1           4

Group B                              P         W          L         Pts
Matlock Golf Club               2          1           1           7
Belper Strutt Club               1          1           0           4
Alfreton P Morewood No3  1          0           1           3

Group C                              P         W          L         Pts
Alfreton P Morewood No1   2          1           1           6
Tansley Potters                    1          1           0           5
Edgefold Matlock No2         1          0           1           3

The two bottom placed teams with the lowest points per game average are eliminated from quarter final stages.

Sunday 23 October 2022

BOLEHILL AND TANSLEY TAKE BLACK BALL THRILLERS

COLIN MARCHINGTON
TWO MATCHES went down to the final black in the second round of T & M Motors Snooker League matches with Bolehill Institute gaining their first victory of the season courtesy of their 3-2 defeat of Belper Strutt Club.
Colin Marchington put the hosts ahead with a 63-28 success and soon afterwards Ricki Slack made it two with a 68-37 scoreline.
Two tight frames ensued thereafter, and each went the way of the visitors as Paul Jarrett and Wayne Shooter each emerged victorious on the pink to level things up.
And it looked like Strutt had staged a marvellous fightback when Jarrett's attempt at a match winning pink headed towards the middle pocket in the deciding doubles leg, yet it rolled agonising all around the lip before Slack stepped in to take the remaining two balls in a thrilling contest.

Also taking the spoils on the very last ball were Tansley Potters who also prevailed 3-2 at Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 with Joe Neville and Gray Astle sealing the deal 50-47 in a match which swung back and forth. Neville had earlier put the visitors 2-1 up before Guy Taylor equalised.

Matlock Golf Club defeated Edgefold No 1 4-1 with Les Mooney top scoring for the hosts and Steven Clark on target for the visitors.

Edgefold No 2 also prevailed 4-1, with Rob Muxlow (93 points haul) leading the way whilst Rob Mullis maintained his unbeaten run for the Tramwaymen..

And triumphant were Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 who defeated their No 3 team 4-1, Ant McMahon was in winning form for the Amber Valley cuemen while Jack Lowe was the sole victor for the vanquished.

In the Elliott Carpets Billiards League, Jim McCann was off to a flying start with runs of 57, 40 and 30 as Whitworth Institute saw off Bolehill Institute 14-7 in the opening match.

Snooker League week 2 results: Bolehill Institute 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 2, Tansley Potters 3; Matlock Golf Club 4, Edgefold Matlock No 1 1; Edgefold Matlock No 2 4, Crich Comrades 1; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 1.

Billiards League week 1 results: Whitworth Institute 14, Bolehill Institute 7.
Breaks: J McCann 57,40,30.


Sunday 16 October 2022

SNOOKER AND BILLIARDS BOTH COME ALIKE FOR TANSLEY

                                                STEVE HAWKINS
TANSLEY POTTERS followed up the previous week's Six Red qualification win with a 3-2 success over Matlock Golf Club in their inaugural fixture in the T & M Motors Snooker League.

With the venue home to a long standing billiards team, it is equally clear that snooker will not pose any complication to these Tansley cuemen either.
Gray Astle, who has previous snooker experience from spells at Hartington and Allestree in other Leagues, got them off to a flying start courtesy of a 78-60 verdict in the opener.
And Radford Neville was in sublime form as he added the next  with a barnstorming display of potting including a run of 27 to prevail 90-25.
Steve Hawkins, who is a relative of property owner Joe Neville, then sealed the win in straight frames with a 69-30 triumph.
It was left to Graham Jones to restore some pride for the golfers, as he took each of his singles and doubles legs, latterly partnered by Tony Blant.

Edgefold No 1 entertained Alfreton No 2 and were hoping to avenge their six red whitewash the previous week.
Ian Doe (ex-County Offices and Callow Park) returned to the fold with a bang, showing the old magic is still there with an 80-40 success to equalise at 1-1 and Duncan Harwood also levelled at 2-2 after Kevin Rowland had put his side ahead for the second time.
However, the Amber Valley cuemen came through the deciding doubles leg with aplomb, Andrew Beardsley steadying the ship with debutant Ant McMahon seeing off two further debutants for the home side in what proved to be a baptism of fire.

Belper Strutt Club also took a 3-2 victory over new team Edgefold No 2. Justin Weller (26 break) top scored for the hosts and they raced 3-0 up before Giddy Gamble pulled one back for the Matlock side, with Dal Abu Bakr and Rob Muxlow reducing arrears to the minimum margin by the end of the night.

Bolehill Institute were stretched to the max by COVID issues and holidays and succumbed 4-1 at Crich Comrades, who had also taken the spoils in the previous week's six reds contest.
Colin Marchington did put the visitors ahead early doors but from thereon in it was one way traffic with Rob Mulliss (28 break) looking like being a handy acquisition.
Sadly the other game was also COVID affected to the extent that it didn't get underway.
League week 1 results: Tansley Potters 3, Matlock Golf Club 2: Edgefold Matlock No 1 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 3; Belper Strutt Club 3, Edgefold Matlock No 2 2; Crich Comrades 4, Bolehill Institute 1.
Breaks: R Mulliss 28; R Neville 27; J Weller 26; K Ryde 25.

Monday 10 October 2022

TRAMWAYMEN EDGE AN EARLY SEASON SIX RED THRILLER

ADE SMITH ... winning start
CRICH COMRADES were off to a winning start in Group A of the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup as they edged out Bolehill Institute 4-3 on the deciding black in the larger group of four.
With teams largely aiming to avoid the bottom placings in each section which might signal elimination from the quarter final stages, Ade Smith started the campaign in great style with a 51-6 romp in the opener.
Keith Robertson, who has moved over from the now defunct No 2 team, quickly equalised before new home team signing Rob Mulliss made it 2-1 with a debut success.
Simon Zoppi, defeated by Mulliss in the above-mentioned frame, was drawn out to play again with the visitors a man down and he quickly made amends, defying the penalty handicap to equalise at 2-2.
Mulliss and Smith again nudged their side ahead at 3-2 in the first of the scotch doubles legs but the game was going all the way after Zoppi and Ricki Slack took a black ball decider for 3-3.
And it could have gone either way in the last before Mulliss (partnered by Cliff Gould) stepped in to take a mid range black and earn the home side the balance of the points.

The other game in the group turned out slightly less fraught as Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 scored a decisive 7-0 win over Edgefold. Steve Donner (48 break) was his usual imperious self whilst Ben Monk and Kyle Ryde were also in the scoring zone.

Tansley Potters opened up in Group C with a 5-2 win on their debut as a snooker team (more often they have been involved in the billiards side of the league). Captain Joe Neville won all three frames he contested after Alfreton No 1 had taken the first two frames, Andrew Haggarty notching the latter of those.

And in Group B Matlock Golf Club defeated Alfreton No 3 4-3 with Chris Parker getting them off to a winning start before the visitors reduced the arrears to the minimum margin after Ady Lowe and Graem Wood took the final frame.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup, Group A: Crich Comrades 4, Bolehill Institute 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 7, Edgefold Matlock 0. Group B: Matlock Golf Club 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 3 3. Group C: Tansley Potters 5, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 2.
Breaks: S Donner 48; B Monk 27; K Ryde 25,20,20; K Rowland 23..