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| RICKI SLACK |
Mayfield took on Whitworth Institute in their last match, needing a sizeable success to put the pressure on the other challengers and were off to a flying start with Keith Gregory (35 break) taking the first 150-85 and thus ensuring he would claim the trophy for most league wins.
Jim McCann was in no mood to lie down however and his 150-93 success left the door open for the aforementioned pair of teams with the final scores locked at 10pts each.
In a tight opener at Tansley's Jackhill Farm venue, Bolehill's Andrew Brough just managed to see it out with a 150-141 success against a persistent Joe Neville. This meant both teams were still very much in contention but Steve Hawkins started in barnstorming style to race 80-18 ahead with the aid of a 35 break in the next.
However, a timely run of 48 from Ricki Slack brought him back into the game and from thereon there was a complete turnaround as he eventually ran out a 150-114 victor from what looked a forlorn position to give Bolehill a 14-9 triumph and leave the overall season's points all square.
A decision from three-ball secretary Jim McCann will be made in due course but it is possible the trophy will be shared for six months each with no clear ruling for a tie in the billiards league (the snooker league is nowadays decided by most wins if level on points).
Meanwhile the T & M Motors Snooker League saw Crich Comrades move into second place with a 4-1 win over Clay Cross Brotherhood, aided by the inactivity of Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2.
Martin Byard put the Tramwaymen into an early lead with a 79-56 verdict and Nick Berry fired in a superb 30 break to make it 2-0 soon afterwards.
Graham Jones pulled one back for the visitors but wins for Ade Smith and the Byard / Phil Leverton combination in the doubles completed a great night for the hosts.
Leaders Edgefold No1 were missing a few personnel but still did the business with a 3-2 defeat of Alfreton No1.
Des Smith inflicted only the second defeat of the season on winning-most player Steve Burton and Phil Longden was also in superb nick, amassing 89 points for the Amber Valley cuemen.
But wins for Scott Brooks and James Travis in both singles and doubles ultimately kept the train on the rails for the Edgefold boys.
Edgefold No2 secured a 3-2 win over Tansley Potters thanks mainly to their youngsters as Jacob Bradbury and Sam Kniveton teamed up to take the deciding doubles leg after Tommy Smith had pulled them level at 2-2. Radford Neville top scored for the vanquished with 83 points.
There was also an excellent result for Alfreton No3 who took home a 4-1 success from Belper Royal British Legion.
Carlos Zaragoza took a high scoring contest 87-61 and although Mark Newby pulled the Legionnaires level, the two Lowes Ady and Jack combined sublimely to take the remaining three frames for the victors.
Elliott Carpets Billiards League: Mayfield Institute 10, Whitworth Institute 10; Tansley Potters 9, Bolehill Institute 14.
Breaks: R Slack 48; S Hawkins 35; K Gregory 35.
T & M Motors Snooker League: Crich Comrades 4, Clay Cross Brotherhood 1; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 2, Edgefold Matlock No1 3; Edgefold Matlock No2 3, Tansley Potters 2; Belper Royal British Legion 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 4.
Breaks (inc. comps): N Berry 30; A Smith 23; I McKay 22.
Elliott Carpets Billiards League P W D L Pts
Bolehill Institute 12 7 1 4 132
Tansley Potters 12 5 1 6 132
Mayfield Institute 12 6 2 4 131
Whitworth Institute 12 3 1 8 116
Leading breaks: J Neville & J McCann 73.
Leading wins: K Gregory 8/12; J McCann, J Neville & A Brough 7/12.
T & M Motors Snooker League P W L Pts
Edgefold Matlock No 1 12 11 1 45
Crich Comrades 12 6 6 32
Alfreton P Morewood No 2 10 6 4 29
Alfreton P Morewood No 1 12 6 6 28
Edgefold Matlock No 2 12 6 6 28
Alfreton P Morewood No 3 12 5 7 27
Tansley Potters 11 4 7 27
Clay Cross Brotherhood 10 5 5 26
Belper Royal British Legion 12 4 8 24
Bolehill Institute 11 4 7 19
Leading breaks: R Mulliss 51, D Smith 49.
Leading wins: S Burton 10/12; M Newby 9/12; D Harwood 8/10.
