BREAKS GALORE WITH JACK LOWE'S 81 TOPPING THE BILL

JACK LOWE ... personal record break

THERE were breaks galore as players used the holiday period to ramp up practice and produce some of the most prolific scoring of the year in the associated competitions running alongside the league.
Top of the pile was a magnificent 81 from Jack Lowe of Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 in edging out team-mate Carlos Zaragoza in the singles handicap, comfortably his highest in competitive play and vindicating the rapid improvement he has made since the end of last season, having already overtaken his winning tally for the entire season before half-way this time around.
The Bob McCartin Six Red Cup saw a semi final and the remaining quarter final played out to start the new year and it is Edgefold No1 who await their final opposition in the final after defeating Tansley Potters 4-1.
Richard Ferguson took the opener 45-33 and although Radford Neville equalised on the black, wins for Duncan Harwood and Steve Burton put the Matlock side on the cusp of victory.
And Ferguson teamed up with Rob Muxlow to seal the deal on the black in the first of scotch doubles legs, before an academic win for the visitors reduced the arrears to 4-2.

Still playing their quarter final round were Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 who entertained Bolehill No1, and the visitors looked in good nick, leading 3-1 after the conclusion of the singles legs.
Des Smith put the hosts into an early lead but wins for Colin Marchington, Ricki Slack and Simon Zoppi soon turned things around.
However,  Cole Smith laid a great snooker on pink in the first of the scotch doubles to set up victory, then potted match ball in the next before seeing Phil Longden slam in a fabulous long black in the decider with everything resting on it for a 4-3 comeback win.
The home team's tremendous battling spirit thus saw them taking pink and black to win each of the pairs legs in ultra-tight finishes and earn a trip to Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 in the semis.

There was also one T & M Motors Snooker League clash, but it was a big one with Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 defeating leaders Edgefold No2 3-2 meaning they now sit just four points adrift in second place with a game in hand.
Paul Sainsbury convincingly took the opener 71-37 though Scott Brooks levelled in similar tone with a 72-45 riposte.
Leading 45-0 early doors, Martin Barwick then inflicted the first league defeat on man of the moment Jack Lowe but only on the final black after a thrilling comeback fell just short 77-70.
Lowe was then drawn out to play again with the hosts a man down and he put his table time to good use to earn a 101-25 success and level at 2-2.
And it was Lowe (who on balance receives the Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week mantle) and Sainsbury who steered the home side's ship home as they secured a 64-31 win in the deciding pairs frame.

In the Classic Gas Bodyshop Billiards League, Bolehill Institute narrowly defeated Whitworth Institute 10-9 with wins for Jim McCann and Ricki Slack respectively.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup, semi final: Edgefold Matlock No1 4, Tansley Potters 1; quarter final: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 4, Bolehill Institute No1 3.
T & M Motors Snooker League: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 3, Edgefold Matlock No2 2.
Breaks (inc. comps): J Lowe 81,36,36,32,30,25; D Woodward 45; A Fisher 39; R Slack 37,21;  C Zaragoza 34; J Dakin 33; I McKay 32; J Smith 27,20,20; J Neville 28; R Ferguson 27; S Burton 26.
Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Jack Lowe (Alfreton PM No2).

Classic Gas Bodyshop Billiards League: Whitworth Institute 9, Bolehill Institute 10.
Breaks: J McCann 45,39,37; R Slack 34.

ANDREW THE SHOOTOUT SPECIALIST STRIKES YET AGAIN!

ANDREW HAGGARTY ... speed king

CLAY CROSS BROTHERHOOD took centre stage as a new venue for the annual Christmas Shootout night but as sure as night follows day, again it was Alfreton Palmer Morewood's Andrew Haggarty who confirmed himself as the ultimate Yuletide specialist by taking the Eddie Lomas Trophy for an incredible FIFTH time as well as lifting the Alan Hopkinson Trophy for a second time, having also done the same double back in 2016.
An excellent turnout of 26, only two short of last season's record breaking entry, convened upon Broadleys for the trio of quickfire handicap knockout competitions, comprising of six red singles and scotch doubles handicaps and the popular speed test of clearing of the colours in head to head rounds (also handicapped).
Andrew Haggarty was clear favourite beforehand for the speed event having already tasted glory in 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2022 and his chances were enhanced after receiving a bye in the opening round with his opponent having to leave early (maybe he had heard of his reputation!)
After this wins over Ricki Slack, John Smith and Jack Lowe saw him to the final against  Alfreton No2's Paul Sainsbury, who himself had come through with flying colours defeating Brian Fullard, John Roseman, Ian McKay and Callum Greenfield.
But in the final showdown, experience counted and the cool approach of Haggarty won the day with something to spare, making it a fantastic nap hand in the event as the owls began to hoot Christmas tunes outside.

The victor was already floating on cloud nine, having taking the main singles event earlier in the evening, where he came up against local favourite Lee Hage in the final.
Haggarty had defeated Reece Johnstone, Duane Parsons and Matt Large to reach the big stage after receiving a first round bye while opponent Hage had come through against John Smith, Duncan Harwood, Rob Muxlow and Steve Bullock.
Hage held the advantage with pink and black left but a fine long pot from the Alfreton cueman left it resting on the final ball, and despite a perfectly adequate safety riposte from the home town player, Haggarty cut the black sublimely into the corner pocket from long range to cheers from his supportive team-mates.

COLE SMITH and SCOTT BROOKS, pairs champs

A great day for the Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 team was rounded off when youngster Cole Smith partnered Edgefold No 2's Scott Brooks to victory in the George Mills Trophy for the scotch doubles.
Wins over the Jack Lowe/Steve Bullock, Ricki Slack/Conrad Spencer and Roy Taylor/Alex Fisher combinations saw them into the final up against local boys Callum Greenfield and Andrew Bailey of Clay Cross No2 team.
The latter pair had overcome Rob Muxlow and Martin Barwick plus Reece Johnstone and Brian Fullard after a first round bye.
However, Brooks and Smith took control on the colours in the final showdown and leaving their opponents needing a snooker on pink and black, they eventually entered the winners roster for the first time each in this event.

Thanks to everyone who turned out to make it the night it was, once again plenty of stamina was required as ever, plus a big thank you to Clay Cross Brotherhood for hosting and Duncan Waring for his excellent organisation.

Happy New Year to all players and officials of the League and may the force be with you in 2026!

Alan Hopkinston Trophy (6 reds individual handicap): winner, Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1), runner-up, Lee Hage (Clay Cross Brotherhood No1).
Eddie Lomas Trophy (clearing the colours, head to heads with handicap): winner, Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1), runner-up, Paul Sainsbury (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2).
George Mills Trophy (6 reds random draw pairs, scotch doubles handicap): winners, Scott Brooks (Edgefold No2) and Cole Smith (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1), runners-up, Callum Greenfield and Andrew Bailey (Clay Cross Brotherhood No2).