DEAD-EYE JACK MAKES NO MISTAKE ON DECIDING BLACK

JACK LYNCH ... finished the match the same way he started

THERE was a dramatic opening round to this seasons Captains Cup team aggregate competition as while Matlock Conservative Club kept alive their hopes of the "grand slam" of all four team events, current holders Bolehill Institute No 1 crashed out at the very first hurdle.
There was real tension in the air as Matlock's Edgefold Club almost produced one of the comebacks of the season in their home tie with the Cons.

Jack Lynch scored a 43-point triumph in the opener, Duncan Harwood edged a tight contest in frame two to narrow the deficit before Charlie Hodgkinson and Nick Kay increased the advantage again with rock-steady performances for the visitors.

And with a 62-point cushion going into the concluding doubles frame, some of the assembled spectators could be forgiven for leaving slightly early.

However, home pairing Harwood and Martyn Taylor had other ideas, and a sublime 49 break from the latter ensured proceedings went down to the wire.

But ultimately Lynch finished in the same fashion he had started the match, culminating with an outstanding pot on the deciding final black to earn his team a nail-biting 317-304 verdict.


PAUL BRYAN ... on target for MATLOCK CLUB

Bolehill Institute No 1, bidding to win the Cup for the third successive season, were ousted by a revitalised Matlock Club as Graeme Wood and Colin Marchington shared wide margin wins for each team in the opening exchanges.

Paul Bryan then opened his account for the season for the visitors in frame three, before Ian Birks' register for the hosts left the holders 15 points ahead going into the last frame.

But after a nip and tuck pairs battle, it fell to Keith Manlove, returning to the fold to partner Mick McFall after being hospitalised with appendicitis, to slam home a glorious long pink for a memorable 280-267 success.

Elsewhere, Belper Strutt No 1 gained revenge for last week's Six Red Cup defeat to their No 2 team, thanks to a convincing 320-162 points margin.

Ben Monk returned to action with aplomb for his new team, taking his frame 91-20 against old side-kick Andrew Gratton, with only fellow debutant Shaun Nicholls able to arrest the tide for the vanquished.

Captains Cup team aggregate competition Quarter Finals: Edgefold Matlock 304, Matlock Cons 317; Bolehill Inst No 1 267, Matlock Club 280; Belper Strutt No 1 320, Belper Strutt No 2 162.
Open Indiv Handicap 1st round: Neil Parkinson 1, Paul Ogden 2.
Denis Morton Pairs Handicap 1st round: Ian Peacock / Martin Forster 0, Steve Bullock / Mark Newby 2.
Breaks: M Taylor 49; P Ogden 24,21.

NEW PLAYER REGISTRATION - BELPER STRUTT CLUB No 1

BEN MONK is a new player registration for Belper Strutt Club No 1 and will play off a handicap of -35.

STRUTT CLUB TEAMS PRODUCE ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER

ADAM WINSON (above) and Chris Stubbs sealed a final place for BELPER STRUTT No 2.

FOLLOWING their recent league clash which went down to the final black, the two teams from Belper Strutt Club served up another classic nail-biter as the No 2 team edged out the No 1 outfit 4-3 in the semi final of the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup.
Mark Newby took the opener on the black against Chris Stubbs by a single point, before new signing Andrew Gratton, buoyed by a 25 break, equalised.

Wins for Steve Bullock and Adam Winson kept things in the balance and after the opening two scotch doubles were shared, everything rested on the final frame.

And it was Stubbs and Winson who came though 45-16 against Paul Jarrett and Justin Weller to earn their side a final berth.

The teams will battle it out once more as soon as next week in a Captains Cup quarter final.

Things weren't quite so tight in the other semi, as Bolehill Institute No 1 seemed to have indulged in a little too much turkey and pudding over Christmas and fell to a hefty 7-0 home loss to Matlock Cons.

Richard Deakin doubled the pink and then coolly took a tricky black to narrowly defeat Ricki Slack in the opener before Nick Kay comfortably took the second frame for 2-0.

Andrew Brough obtained the snooker he needed against Charlie Hodgkinson to try and reduce the deficit but it was the latter who potted an exquisite long black to take his team to the brink of victory.

And that was assured soon afterwards when Chris Parker edged out Simon Zoppi on the pink courtesy of a fine potting display with a borrowed cue.

The visitors then put the icing on the cake by taking all three scotch doubles contests, this despite Ricki Slack and Ian Birks recording the highest pairs break of the event so far with 27 in the sixth frame, though it was still in vain as Deakin sunk the pink to continue the rout.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup semi finals: Belper Strutt No 1 3, Belper Strutt No 2 4; Bolehill Institute No 1 0, Matlock Cons 7.

Open Individual Handicap 1st round: Paul Holmes 0, Kevin Holmes 2; Robert Muxlow 0, Ricki Slack 2; Martyn Taylor 0, Nick Kay 2.

Breaks: M Taylor 28; R Slack / I Birks 27; A Gratton 25; C Parker / N Kay 23;
N Kay 22; R Slack 21.

NEW PLAYER REGISTRATION - BELPER STRUTT CLUB No 2

ANDREW GRATTON  is a new player registration for Belper Strutt Club No 2 and will play off a handicap of -30.

ALL SEMIS TO BE AS DRAWN, FINALS NEUTRAL VENUE

AS THERE aren't many rounds in the individual and doubles competitions, its now likely we will play all semi finals as drawn and just use neutral venues for all the finals (as per the team comps).
Otherwise, having discussed it with others, there would be a lot of pressure on the same venues and the same people to referee quite a number of games so it seems the better option all round (and is what happens in the billiards competitions right through).

THRILLING FINISHES ABOUND ON THIRD SHOOTOUT NIGHT

IAN PEACOCK, Alan Hopkinson Trophy winner, in action at Jaxx Q Club

AN EXCELLENT turnout of 17 players contested Shootout Night number three with especially large contingents from Matlock Conservative Club and Bolehill Institute to contest three rapid fire events played in their entirety on one night.
And it was fitting that the main event the Alan Hopkinson Memorial Trophy should go to a Bolehill player as, after a tight battle throughout the final, Ian Peacock edged out Richard Deakin by clipping the pink into the middle pocket to secure the silverware.

Ian had previously defeated Charlie Hodgkinson, Chris Drabble and Simon Zoppi on a night where new names appeared on the winners roster of all three competitions.

George Mills Trophy winners MARTIN FORSTER and HANNAH JONES

The scotch doubles event for the George Mills Trophy went to Martin Forster (who is actually Ian's brother) and resident Jaxx Q Club lady cueist Hannah Jones after an even closer deciding contest which went to the final black against Bolehill pair Simon Zoppi and Mick Bunting.

With the pairing showing great teamwork throughout, it fell to Hannah to seal the deal as she calmly executed a long range cut into a baulk pocket to bring home the bacon.

They had previously emerged successful from matches with Ricki Slack and Chris Drabble, Jimmy Gratton and Keith Robertson and Steve Bullock and Nick Kay en route.


NICK KAY led his rivals a merry dance to lift the Eddie Lomas Trophy.

That left the Eddie Lomas Speed Snooker Challenge Trophy to be decided, which involves clearing the colours head to head on adjacent tables, and the fastest man on the block proved to be Matlock Conservative Club's Nick Kay, who pipped Mick Bunting in the final by a couple of balls, having previously seen off team mates Chris Drabble and Jack Lynch along with Ricki Slack.

Thanks to all who attended for another highly enjoyable evening and hope to see those of you who couldn't make it next time around.

In the meantime A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone connected with the Darley Dale and District Snooker and Billiards Leagues.

Christmas Six-Red Individual Handicap for the Alan Hopkinson Memorial Trophy: winner, Ian Peacock (Bolehill Inst No 2); runner-up, Richard Deakin (Matlock Cons).

Christmas Six-Red Scotch Doubles Handicap for the George Mills Trophy: winners, Martin Forster (Bolehill Inst No 2) and Hannah Jones (Jaxx Q Club); runners-up, Simon Zoppi (Bolehill Inst No 1) and Mick Bunting (Bolehill Inst No 2).

Christmas Speed Snooker Shootout Handicap for the Eddie Lomas Trophy: winner, Nick Kay (Matlock Cons); runner-up, Mick Bunting (Bolehill Inst No 2).

Extracurricular awards:

Best victory jig during match: Nick Kay (v team mate Chris Drabble, luckily for him he did pot the black afterwards!)

Best sledging during match: Nick Kay (v team mate Jack Lynch)

Worst rest handover: Ricki Slack to Charlie Hodgkinson during speed shootout, safe to say we won't be appearing in the 400m relay anytime soon, (OK sorry I will try and remember to watch the table nearest to me next time!)

"On deaf ears" complaint: Ricki "I wasn't ready" Slack v Nick Kay when the claxon sounded (OK it was Mick shouting "go", what happened to "ready steady"?) I think Charlie had secretly had a word with him beforehand.

Dedication award: Chris Parker who flew in from Denmark the same afternoon especially for the event (possibly!) tie-ing with Jimmy who found his way down from the bar, both sterling efforts.

Quality food awards: Jaxx Q Club for the mouth watering grub on the night, thanks fellas!

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR!

Now open to all past and present Darley Dale & District League players!

DON'T MISS OUT on one of the highlights of the League calendar, its fun, fun, fun all the way with three quickfire competitions all played to their conclusion on the night in the festive spirit... all events handicapped so all abilities welcome... featuring The Alan Hopkinson Memorial Trophy, The Eddie Lomas Speed Snooker Challenge and The George Mills Scotch Doubles Trophy (£5 on the night gets you into all three!) Plus food and refreshments, what more could you ever want!!

Come and give it a go if you haven't done so already, the more the merrier!