BOLEHILL No 2 AND BELPER STRUTT No 1 REACH FINAL

MARTIN FORSTER delivered the killer blow for BOLEHILL No 2

BUOYED by their Captains Cup team aggregate competition quarter final win over Bolehill Institute No 1, Matlock Club now tried to oust the same club's No 2 outfit in the semi final stages held this week.
Christmas shootout champion Ian Peacock was in no mood to show any favours though and he took the opening frame 72-33 over Keith Manlove to give the visitors a head start.

Paul Bryan threatened to turn it on its head in the next but Mark Gwynne-Jones took the last three balls to only go down 66-41 and keep his team with their noses in front.

And after Mick Bunting defeated Graeme Wood 65-41 and Martin Forster saw off Mick McFall 67-24 the game was all but safe.

Peacock and Forster took the doubles frame at the end for an overall 312-197 Bolehill win.

Belper Strutt No 1 will be the final opposition after they overcame Matlock Cons 298-265 in the other semi.

Wayne Shooter and Mark Newby each won by wide margins before Chris Parker (35 break) and Charlie Hodgkinson reduced the deficit to 42 points going into the concluding doubles leg.

But Parker and Richard Deakin could only erode the margin by a further 9 points up against the home teams stoic rearguard action.

In the second round robin match in the Jimmy Harper Plate, visitors Belper Strutt No 2 defeated Bolehill No 1 334-280 with Chris Stubbs putting in a starring role with a 97-28 verdict in frame four.

At the time the home side were 43 points to the good after Simon Zoppi had gotten them off to a flyer.

KEITH HUBBOLD took the spoils for BELPER STRUTT No 2 in a high scoring thriller

Also worthy of mentions were Keith Hubbold, who edged a high scoring thriller 81-71 and Dave Needham, whose vital 27 break from last red to pink pulled things back against Ricki Slack, who just prevailed with a long-pot on the final black.

Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) semi finals: Matlock Club 197, Bolehill Inst No 2 312; Belper Strutt No 1 298, Matlock Cons 265.
Jimmy Harper Team Plate (round robin): Bolehill Inst No 1 280, Belper Strutt No 2 334.
"B" (Intermediate) Indiv Handicap semi finals: Duncan Harwood 1, Paul Ogden 2; Steve Bullock 2, Neil Parkinson 0.
Breaks: C Parker 35; D Needham 27; R Slack 23.

STRUTT No 2 SECURE FIRST SILVERWARE OF SEASON

BELPER STRUTT No 2, Bob McCartin Six Red Cup winners 2013/14
L-R: Chris Stubbs, Dave Needham, Adam Winson and fist-pumping Andrew Gratton.

THE BOB McCartin Six Red Cup final took centre-stage this week with Belper Strutt Club No 2 and Matlock Conservative Club competing for the first silverware of the season.
Jack Lynch made a positive start in the opener against Chris Stubbs, but as is often the case in this format of the game, things change in the blink of an eye and a jawed blue gave Stubbs the chance to dish up with blue. pink and black which he took with some aplomb.

Chris Parker took the next on the pink after Dave Needham's attempted safety shot fell just short, but Andrew Gratton, making a rare appearance for Strutt, restored the advantage by taking pink and black against Richard Deakin, who had led throughout until then.

It soon became 3-1 as with the frame scores locked together at 17 apiece, Charlie Hodgkinson's unfortunate in-off allowed Adam Winson to cut the pink along the baulk cushion into the green pocket from the "D".

With the singles legs completed, it was Winson and Stubbs who returned to the table for the scotch doubles and they soon had matters well in hand, with a 45-8 scoreline making the game safe for a memorable triumph.

The Cons gained some compensation later in the week with a 4-1 home win over Bolehill Institute No 2 moving them up to second place in the Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division.

Richard Deakin won the pivotal third frame on the black whilst Chris Parker and Charlie Hodgkinson took the pairs frame on a re-spotted black after Martin Forster had given the visitors an early advantage.

In the Jimmy Harper Plate, played as a round robin this season, Matlock's Edgefold Club defeated Bolehill No 1 327-277 in the opening match with Martyn Taylor notching a superb 55 break and Ian Birks replying with a solid potting performance for the vanquished.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup final: Belper Strutt No 2 4, Matlock Cons 1 (at Edgefold, Matlock).
Jimmy Harper Plate (round robin): Edgefold Matlock 327, Bolehill Inst No 1 277.
League (re-arranged): Matlock Cons 4, Bolehill Inst No 2 1.
Denis Morton Trophy (Pairs handicap) quarter finals: Steve Bullock / Mark Newby 2, Neil Parkinson / Robert Muxlow 1; Duncan Harwood / Jason Ankers 1, Chris Parker / Nick Kay 2; Andrew Brough / Simon Zoppi 0, Chris Stubbs / Adam Winson 2; Ricki Slack / Colin Marchington 2, Keith Manlove / Paul Holmes 0.
Breaks: M Taylor 55; R Slack 21; C Stubbs/A Winson (scotch dbls) 20.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     14      13       1       47
Matlock Cons                 13        8       5       38
Edgefold Matlock           13        8       5       37
Belper Strutt No 1          13        7       6       37
Bolehill Institute No 2     14        5       9       29
Belper Strutt No 2          13        5       8       28
Matlock Club                  14        1     13       19
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 12; M Taylor 10; C Marchington 9.

CLOSE FINISHES ABOUND IN GRIPPING ROUND OF GAMES

CHARLIE HODGKINSON was on the mark for MATLOCK CONS

THREE thrilling finishes were in evidence this week in the Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division with a couple of them decided on the final black to boot.
The teams from Strutt Club have already clashed a few times in all competitions this season and this was the second occasion that all rested on the final ball, but this time with a different result.

Paul Ogden scored a 53-29 win in the opener to give the No 2 outfit the early advantage before resounding verdicts for Wayne Shooter and  Steve Bullock (23 break) saw the No 1 team nose ahead.

Keith Hubbold then opened his account for the season to level matters before Jarrett and Bullock shaded a tough pairs battle with Chris Stubbs and Adam Winson 63-60 to earn local bragging rights for the No 1 squad.

Matlock Club were denied in a close finish for the third week in a row, going down 3-2, also on the deciding black, at Bolehill Institute No 2.

The singles frames were shared with Mick Bunting and Martin Forster on the mark for the hosts and Graeme Wood and Keith Manlove replying for the visitors.

And despite an early run of 24 from Manlove in the deciding pairs contest, Bunting took pink and black at the end to wrestle a hard fought win.

It also finished 3-2 to Bolehill No 1 team who edged out Matlock Cons to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Andrew Brough, with a black ball win, and Colin Marchington (25 break) made it 2-0 before Charlie Hodgkinson and Chris Parker (who also notched a 48 break in the OMYA Cup individual this week) made it all square.

But Marchington and Ricki Slack took the doubles frame 66-16 to settle matters.

League week 16 results: Belper Strutt No 2 2, Belper Strutt No 1 3; Bolehill Inst No 2 3, Matlock Club 2; Bolehill Inst No 1 3, Matlock Cons 2.
OMYA Cup (Indiv Scratch) quarter final: Mark Gwynne Jones 1, Chris Parker 2.
Open Indiv Handicap quarter final: Duncan Harwood 1, Paul Ogden 2; Kevin Holmes 2, Paul Bryan 0.
"B" (Intermediate) Handicap quarter final: Kevin Holmes 2, Paul Holmes 0.
Breaks: C Parker 48; C Marchington 25; K Manlove 24; S Bullock 23; M Gwynne-Jones 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     14      13       1       47
Edgefold Matlock           13        8       5       37
Belper Strutt No 1          13        7       6       37
Matlock Cons                 12        7       5       34
Belper Strutt No 2          13        5       8       28
Bolehill Institute No 2     13        5       8       28
Matlock Club                  14        1     13       19
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 12; M Taylor 10; C Marchington 9.

NEW HANDICAP RATINGS

THE latest handicap adjustments are as follows:
Colin Marchington (Bolehill Institute No 1) goes from -10 to -15
Mick McFall (Matlock Club) goes from +5 to +10
Mick Bunting (Bolehill Institute No 2) goes from +10 to +15

The above players have reached the trigger percentages for moving up or down a bracket so the new ratings will come into play with immediate effect (for any remaining competitions left to play).

If you wish to print out the full list of up to date handicap ratings, please click on the link on the right hand side of the webpage, thanks.

CONS CLUB RETAIN UNBEATEN HOME RUN ON THE BLACK

CHRIS WOODHOUSE ... sparkling performance for MATLOCK CLUB

MATLOCK CONSERVATIVE CLUB returned to action after an extended hiatus and wrestled the advantage on the final black against local rivals Matlock Club, who were narrowly thwarted for the second successive week.
Graeme Wood and Chris Woodhouse were in fine form for the visitors who took an early 2-0 lead with convincing scorelines of 63-29 and 77-10 respectively.

However, the Cons are still unbeaten at their Dale Road home and with the doubles frame brought forward by mutual agreement, Charlie Hodgkinson's pivotal 25 break made sure there was plenty left to fight for.

Nick Kay then just edged out Mick McFall to make it 2-2 and in a grandstand finish, Jack Lynch, with a 22 clearance, snatched the spoils 68-62 over a gallant Paul Bryan.

Leaders Bolehill Institute No 1 took maximum points from Belper Strutt Club No 2, with Ricki Slack and Ian Birks each winning on the final black from well adrift.

The doubles frame at the end saw some of the best scoring with Dave Devenport's early 21 cancelled out by runs of 20 and 22 from Slack, who also notched a 51 break in his OMYA Cup Individual quarter final win the previous night.

Bolehill No 2 scored an excellent 3-2 win at second placed Edgefold Club, with Mark Sayer getting off the mark for the season and Ian Peacock winning both his singles and doubles frames.

Neil Parkinson had earlier ensured the home team were off to the best possible start with a 67-18 success.

League week 15 results: Matlock Cons 3, Matlock Club 2; Belper Strutt No 2 0, Bolehill Inst No 1 5; Edgefold Matlock 2, Bolehill Inst No 2 3.
OMYA Cup (Indiv Scratch) quarter final: Ricki Slack 2, Kevin Holmes 0; Martyn Taylor 2, Neil Parkinson 0.
Open Indiv Handicap quarter final: Ricki Slack 2, Steve Bullock 1.
Breaks: R Slack 51,27,22,20; C Hodgkinson 25; J Lynch 22; D Devenport 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     13      12       1       44
Edgefold Matlock           13        8       5       37
Belper Strutt No 1          12        6       6       34
Matlock Cons                 11        7       4       32
Belper Strutt No 2          12        5       7       26
Bolehill Institute No 2     12        4       8       25
Matlock Club                  13        1     12       17
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 12; M Taylor 10; J Lynch, C Marchington, P Jarrett,
I Birks & M Newby all 8.

STRUTT No 2 SHADE TIGHT BATTLE AT MATLOCK CLUB

PAUL OGDEN ... got visitors BELPER STRUTT CLUB No 2 off to a flyer

AFTER a week off, Belper Strutt's No 2 team were looking to get back on the winning trail at Matlock Club, who themselves were attempting to take their cup form into the latest round of games in the Highfield Farm Butchers Premier Division.
The opening two frames were shared with both Pauls getting off the mark for the season for their respective teams, Paul Ogden defeating Graeme Wood 69-39 and Paul Bryan overcoming Dave Devenport 68-25 with the help of a 22 break.

Chris Stubbs put the visitors ahead with a hard fought success over Paul Holmes in the next but club barman Mick McFall edged a black ball decider with Dave Needham to take the match to the wire.

And after a frame that was in the balance throughout, it was Stubbs and Devenport who took the spoils with an eleven point frame margin ensuring a 3-2 win for Belper.

The only other match played saw the teams in joint second place go head to head and Edgefold Club just held sway with a 3-2 home verdict over Belper Strutt No 1.

Martyn Taylor was the star turn once again with breaks of 38 and 25 as he won both frames he contested as the Matlock outfit came from 2-1 down to wrestle the upper hand.

Wayne Shooter and Rob Muxlow each scored black ball victories earlier in the night before Mark Newby had temporarily given the visitors the ascendancy.

League week 14 results: Matlock Club 2, Belper Strutt No 2 3; Edgefold Matlock 3, Belper Strutt No 1 2; Matlock Cons v Bolehill Inst No 2 postponed (due to Valentines Day).
OMYA Cup Indiv Scratch quarter final: Paul Ogden 2, Mark Newby 1.
Breaks: M Taylor 38,25; P Bryan 22.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     12      11       1       39
Edgefold Matlock           12        8       4       35
Belper Strutt No 1          12       6        6       34
Matlock Cons                 10       6        4       29
Belper Strutt No 2          11        5       6       26
Bolehill Institute No 2     11        3       8       22
Matlock Club                  12        1     11       15
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 11; M Taylor 9; P Jarrett & M Newby 8.

BOLEHILL No 1 AND BEN EACH HAVE A PEP IN THEIR STEP!

ANDREW BROUGH ... barnstorming form for BOLEHILL No 1

THRILLS aplenty despite a truncated fixture list this week with contrasting fortunes for the teams from Bolehill Institute, a stunning league return from an old friend and an individual match between team mates that ended up as a real nail-biter.
The main focus was on the battle between the top two teams in the Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division, and Bolehill No 1 put up probably their best performance of the season to score an excellent 4-1 home win over nearest rivals Edgefold Club of Matlock.

Andrew Brough was in barnstorming form in the opener with Duncan Harwood getting little chance of any table time and it was more of the same in the second with Colin Marchington scoring  a 93-19 success over Rob Muxlow.

Despite a promising start from Neil Parkinson in the next, Ricki Slack's 34 break tipped the scales in his favour as he went on to record an 81-43 verdict before Martyn Taylor got the visitors off the mark by defeating Ian Birks on the blue.

But Slack and Marchington each had runs of 24 in the concluding doubles frame to deliver the coup de grace on a memorable night for them.

BEN MONK ... back with a 53 break in his opening league match.

Ben Monk returned to league action with his new team Belper Strutt No 1 and it was like he had never been away with a break of 53 taking him to the top of the season's charts in the opening frame of the match with Bolehill No 2.

Steve Bullock edged out Martin Forster on the deciding black for a 46-45 win in the next and an impressive potting display from Wayne Shooter made the game safe soon afterwards, eventually resulting in a second successive 5-0 win over this opposition.

Elsewhere, an enthralling Intermediate Individual clash saw Matlock Club team mates Keith Manlove and Paul Bryan lock horns and eventually captain Keith earned the 2-1 verdict, courtesy of a re-spotted black in the decider, after each of the earlier frames had also gone down to the final ball.

League week 13 results: Bolehill Inst No 1 4, Edgefold Matlock 1; Bolehill Inst No 2 0, Belper Strutt No 1 5; Belper Strutt No 2 v Matlock Cons match postponed.
"B" (Intermediate) Indiv Handicap Quarter Final: Keith Manlove 2, Paul Bryan 1.
Breaks: B Monk 53; R Slack 34,24; C Marchington 24; K Manlove 22.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     12      11       1       39
Edgefold Matlock           11        7       4       32
Belper Strutt No 1          11       6        5       32
Matlock Cons                 10       6        4       29
Belper Strutt No 2          10        4       6       23
Bolehill Institute No 2     11        3       8       22
Matlock Club                  11        1     10       13
Leading breaks: B Monk 53, M Taylor 50.
Leading wins: R Slack 11; M Taylor & P Jarrett 8.