LONG WAIT FOR FINAL IS WORTH IT FOR DUNC AND STEVE

THE LONG-DELAYED 2022/23 Denis Morton Trophy Pairs Handicap final finally took place with Matlock's Edgefold Club hosting the clash after work commitments and family issues had meant a delay of some seven months.

S. Clark

The home pairing of Duncan Harwood and Steven Clark, the latter of whom was reportedly picking up his cue for the first time in several months, were taking on  Alfreton Palmer Morewood's past winners Ben Monk and Simon Mays after winning the toss to stage the match. Agreeing to a best of five contest as Ben had a prior engagement later in the day, the visiting pair started well but colours with the last couple of reds turned the frame in the hosts favour and eventually they capitalised and took the early advantage.

With the next two frames being shared, with breaks of 31 from Mays and 28 from Clark the highlights, the Amber Valley partnership were at the point of no return and despite fighting back into contention in the next, eventually some solid play from the Matlock cuemen saw them home for a memorable 3-1 win.

D. Harwood

In the T & M Motors Snooker League, youngster Cole Smith made a winning debut, fresh from reaching the semi finals of the Christmas knockout, as he took a high scoring contest 83-71 as Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 took on Belper Royal British Legion in a repeat match-up of the recent six reds semi final.

Father Des had put the hosts into an early lead, but a strong fightback saw Mark Newby and Wayne Shooter level it up going into the deciding doubles leg.
And what a thriller it turned out to be with the same pair combining superbly to give the Legionnaires a 58-52 verdict on the final black and a 3-2 win overall.

Edgefold No1  maintained their undefeated league record with a 3-2 win over Crich Comrades. Sean Dobney, despite a 36 break, lost on a re-spotted black to Martin Byard but Duncan Harwood, James Travis, and Steve Burton (the latter on the black) made the game safe before the Tramwaymen struck back to book-end the contest.

Cole Smith

Alfreton No2 are also gathering some momentum and went clear second with a 4-1 defeat of Tansley Potters with Jamie Rowland and Simon Mays winning each of their singles and doubles legs while Radford Neville was victorious for the visitors.

Clay Cross Brotherhood also secured a hard earned 4-1 scoreline as they saw off Alfreton No 3 with Lee Hage top scoring and Duncan Waring winning his fourth straight league game in a match of several very tight contests, including the final doubles leg which went to the two Lowes, Ady and Jack by a single point.

Bolehill Institute remain bottom but picked up their second win over Edgefold No2 with a 3-2 success. Ricki Slack was on target in both singles and doubles legs while Jamie Wright and Roy Taylor (22 break) were in great potting form for the visitors.

The Elliott Carpets Billiards League staged only one contest with Tansley Potters embellishing their position at the top of the table with an 11-10 home win over Whitworth Institute, Jim McCann notching a run of 32 for the vanquished.

2022/23 Denis Morton Pairs Handicap Trophy, final: Duncan Harwood and Steven Clark (Edgefold No1) 3, Ben Monk and Simon Mays (Alfreton PM No 2) 1.
T & M Motors Snooker League, week 09: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 2, Belper Royal British Legion 3; Edgefold Matlock No1 3, Crich Comrades 2; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 4, Tansley Potters 1; Clay Cross Brotherhood 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 1; Bolehill Institute 3, Edgefold Matlock No2 2.
Breaks (inc. cups): S Dobney 36,36,20; S Mays 31; S Clark 28; R Taylor 22; D Harwood 20.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League, week 08: Tansley Potters 11, Whitworth Institute 10.
Breaks: J McCann 32.

T & M Motors Snooker League        P        W        L      Pts 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                        8         8         0      31
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                  8         5         3      24
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                  8         4         4      21                   
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                  8         5         3      20
Edgefold Matlock No 2                        8         4         4      20 
Crich Comrades                                  8         3         5      19
Clay Cross Brotherhood                      7         3         4      18 
Belper Royal British Legion                 8         3         5      16
Tansley Potters                                    7         2         5      15
Bolehill Institute                                   8         2         6       11
Leading breaks: R Mulliss 51, D Smith 49.
Leading wins: D Harwood 7/7; S Burton 7/8.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League       P     W      D       L     Pts
Tansley Potters                                   8       4       1       3      94
Mayfield Institute                                 7       5       0       2      77
Whitworth Institute                               8       1       1       6     76
Bolehill Institute                                   7       4       0       3      72
Leading breaks: J Neville & J McCann 73.
Leading wins: J Neville 6/8, K Gregory 5/7.