No 2's ARE IN THE PINK AFTER WIN OVER STRUTT RIVALS

BELPER STRUTT CLUB No 2 with the Jimmy Harper Plate Trophy.
L-R: Chris Stubbs, Adam Winson, Steve Buckley and Dave Needham.

THREE finals took centre stage this week, one of which saw the two teams from Belper Strutt Club contesting a cliff-hanger in the conclusion of the Jimmy Harper Team Plate aggregate competition.
Dave Needham struck a significant blow for the No 2 team with a 73-21 win over Paul Jarrett in the opener and things looked even bleaker for the B Division champions when Steve Buckley edged out Mark Newby 58-38 to leave a 72pts margin after just two frames.

But Wayne Shooter defeated Adam Winson 63-38 and then Steve Bullock with a 68-35 win over Chris Stubbs brought the game back to the brink as just 14pts separated the teams going into the final doubles.

And it remained nip and tuck until eventually Steve Buckley potted the decisive pink to give the No 2 outfit a hard fought success.

The Individual Handicap final, also at Strutt, saw Kevin Holmes going for a quickfire double after lifting the "B" handicap last week, and he was in pole position here receiving 40pts per frame.

KEVIN HOLMES (left) with eventual winner ANDREW GRATTON before the
Open Individual Handicap final.

But his opponent Andrew Gratton was in no mood to make things easy and soon clawed back the deficit in the opener before powering on ahead. Kevin had a chance on the colours but a missed pink proved his downfall and the Marehay ace made no mistake.

A scrappy frame went to Kevin to make it 1-1 but from thereon Andrew notched a string of quality breaks to run out a 4-1 victor, 25 in the third, 35 and 20 in the fourth and 22 in the fifth to name but a few.

The beleaguered Jaxx player cried enough at this stage even though he held a slight lead in the frame at the time, citing his lack of form on the evening as being an insurmountable burden.

DENIS MORTON Pairs finalists L-R: Jimmy Gratton and Hannah Jones with winners
Troy Brett and Dwayne Martin.

Also taking place was the Pairs Handicap final for the Denis Morton Trophy, played at Matlock Club. Jimmy Gratton and Hannah Jones were off to a flyer here, soon racing 2-0 ahead before opponents Troy Brett and Dwayne Martin found their feet, instigated by a 53 break from Troy, with three straight frames of their own.

Jimmy struck back with a 56 break to equalise before Dwayne potted the match winning blue in the final frame for a thrilling 4-3 triumph.

Jimmy Harper Team Plate final: Belper Strutt No 1 244, Belper Strutt No 2 264.
Individual Handicap final: Andrew Gratton (Marehay) 4, Kevin Holmes (Jaxx) 1.
Denis Morton Pairs Handicap final: Dwayne Martin / Troy Brett (Gladiators) 4,
Jimmy Gratton / Hannah Jones (Jaxx) 3.
Breaks: J Gratton 56,27,23; T Brett 53,24; A Gratton 35,25,22,20; D Needham 21.

JIMMY AND KEVIN MAKE IT A JAXX DOUBLE IN FINALS

JIMMY GRATTON (winner) and BEN MONK contest the OMYA Cup final at Marehay.

THE first two individual finals of the season took place with firstly prolific league winner Ben Monk taking on Derbyshire renowned Jaxx player Jimmy Gratton in a much anticipated OMYA Cup clash played at Marehay Miners Welfare.
Jimmy was out of the blocks the fastest in the opener with a 22 break putting him into the lead but Ben struck back quickly with 38 before the Jaxx man chiselled his way back into the frame to eventually take it on the blue.

Monk came back strongly to take the next 81-18 but this inspired Jimmy to go 2-1 up straight afterwards with the aid of a 57 break.

The next saw Ben knock in 37 but it was nip and tuck near the end, Ben missing what for him would normally be a routine pink for the frame and Jimmy stepping in to snatch it thanks to a storming long pot from the length of the table on the black.

That was probably the turning point and Jim pressed the accelerator again in what proved to be the final frame to see off one last challenge by 58-36 to take the match by a 4-1 margin.

MARTIN FORSTER and KEVIN HOLMES (winner) before the B Individual final at Bolehill.

Meanwhile, the B Individual Handicap competition was won by Kevin Holmes, also of Jaxx, who defeated Martin Forster of Bolehill No 2 3-0.

Kevin took the first 62-41 on the blue and then aided by breaks of 25 in the next and 24 in the third frame, quickly sealed the deal to lift the trophy.

Elsewhere it was semi final time in the Jaeger Trophy Champion of Champions team event and Edgefold Club, fresh from ousting the No 1 seeds Marehay the previous week, repeated the dose against No 2 seeds Bolehill No 1.

Andrew Brough got the visitors off to a flying start, but from thereon the hosts bossed proceedings, Rob Muxlow and Duncan Harwood enjoyed wide margin victories before Jason Ankers took yellow to blue to put the game beyond reach as they eventually ran out 4-1 victors.

Belper Strutt Club No 1 also ran out convincing winners against Gladiators Social Club with Mark Newby, Steve Bullock and Justin Weller, the latter on the black, all on the mark en route to the final with a 5-0 success.

Jaeger Trophy Champion of Champions play offs semi finals: Edgefold Matlock 4, Bolehill Inst No 1 1; Belper Strutt No 1 5, Gladiators SC Matlock 0.
OMYA Cup Indiv Scratch final: Jimmy Gratton (Jaxx) 4, Ben Monk (Marehay) 1.
B Indiv Handicap final: Kevin Holmes (Jaxx) 3, Martin Forster (Bolehill 2) 0.
Breaks: J Gratton 57,22,20; B Monk 38,37,24; K Holmes 25,24.

TOP SEEDS ARE TOPPLED IN A DIVISION PLAY OFFS

NUMBER 4 seeds Edgefold Club of Matlock shocked top seeds Marehay Miners Welfare with a 3-2 success in the opening round of matches in the Champion of Champions play offs for the prestigious Jaeger Trophy.
Marehay, with home advantage due to finishing top of the table in the regular season, edged the opener with Ben Monk delivering a black ball verdict over Richard Ferguson.

ROB MUXLOW helped Edgefold Club to success at Marehay Miners Welfare.

But the visitors hit back with three frames without reply to secure home advantage in the next stages, firstly Duncan Harwood equalising with a win over Andrew Gratton before Rob Muxlow and Neil Parkinson sealed the deal.

Not to be deterred, Ben Monk notched a fine 53 break in the concluding doubles frame but not enough to stop the holders from bowing out.

The other A Division play off saw Bolehill Institute No 1 defeat Matlock Golf Club 4-1 with Ricki Slack and Ian Birks joint top scoring before Chris Parker and Charlie Hodgkinson replied with a comfortable success in the doubles frame.

The B Division top seeds Belper Strutt Club No 1 also came through 4-1 over Bolehill Institute No 2, this time taking the first three frames to progress.

Paul Jarrett's black ball win over Ian Peacock in the second frame was supplemented by successes from Mark Newby and Steve Bullock whilst Keith Robertson was on the mark for the away team.

Gladiators Social Club received a bye with Belper Strutt Club No 2 unable to raise a team with no suitable alternative dates free at this late stage of the season.

Jaeger Trophy Champion of Champions 1st round results: Marehay MW / PJ'z 2, Edgefold Matlock 3; Bolehill Inst No 1 4, Matlock Golf Club 1; Belper Strutt No 1 4, Bolehill Inst No 1; Gladiators SC Matlock w/o Belper Strutt No 2 scr.
Breaks: B Monk 53; C Parker 24.

TRIBUTE TO LEAGUE PATRON GRAHAM BOND

PLAYERS and officials were saddened to hear the news that Graham Bond, long time player and patron of the League, passed away last week.
Graham was a very successful local player through the 60s, 70s and 80s playing from various clubs between Bakewell and Matlock amongst them being the Haig House, Working Mens Club, Whitworth Institute and Matlock Cons Club.

He took the highest aggregate points prize in A Division in 1966, 1975 and 1988 as well as highest break in 1967 and also did the individual scratch and handicap double in 1981, a year in which he also won the pairs handicap event with Jim McCann.

He also tasted further success with Jim in the same event in 1985 and previously took the trophy partnered by David Beattie in 1976 and 1977.

Not to mention being part of many team successes in both League and Cup during the same period.

Graham had one of the best tactical brains around yet could still score well given the opportunity and you always knew you were in for a tough match if you ever drew him in League or competition.

Father of local professional player Nigel, who also excelled in the League prior to moving up to a higher level, he was a much respected figure both on the local circuit and supporting Nigel on the professional tour, always having time for a friendly chat and will be sadly missed by all.
Commiserations go out to his family and many friends.

NEW HANDICAP RATINGS

THE latest handicap adjustments are as follows:
Chris Parker (Matlock Golf Club) goes from -20 to -25
Lee Whatton (Marehay MW / PJ'z) goes from -15 to -10

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.

BOLEHILL INSTITUTE No 1 TEAM RETAIN CAPTAINS CUP

BOLEHILL INSTITUTE No 1 with the Captains Cup Team Trophy.
L-R: Andrew Brough, Colin Marchington, Ricki Slack, Ian Birks and Simon Zoppi.

BOLEHILL INSTITUTE provided both finalists of the Captains Cup Team Handicap competition for the first time in League history and ultimately it was the No 1 team who retained the trophy following their success in the same event last year.
Things did not start according to plan however, as Mick Bunting took pink and black to edge counterpart Ricki Slack 66-55 in the battle of the captains after the latter's attempted safety shot had double-kissed.

Andrew Brough hit back for the holders with a hard fought 67-50 win over Martin Forster in the next and then Simon Zoppi, having flown in from Italy the same afternoon (honestly folks!) scored a vital 62-28 verdict over Ian Peacock after taking most of the colours following a tight frame.

That left 40 in the overall aggregate, and after Ian Birks had taken pink and eventually black to defeat Keith Robertson 55-44, only the doubles remained if there was to be any comeback.

But Ricki Slack and Colin Marchington battened down the hatches and came through with a 59-25 scoreline to leave the final totals at 298-213.

Also taking place were the Jimmy Harper Plate semi finals, played under the same format.

The battle of Belper went to the Strutt's No 2 team who saw off Jaxx Q Club by 60 points, avenging their Six Red Cup semi final defeat to the same oppoistion in the process.
Chris Stubbs and Steve Robinson were the star men for their respective teams.

The real thriller, though, took place at Edgefold Club, where Belper Strutt Club No 1 seemed to be coasting to a comfortable success over Matlock Club with a lead of 80-plus points going into the final doubles frame.


IAN ROSE ...superb 83 break for Matlock Club.

But Ian Rose, returning to the fold for a rare appearance this season, had other ideas and a superb 83 break on his first visit to the table suddenly put the game back in the balance.
And it was eventually a very relieved Justin Weller who sank the final black for Strutt to leave them just one point in the ascendancy at the end of the nights play.

Ben Monk was in fine form with a series of impressive breaks in both the remaining league match between Marehay and Matlock Golf Club and the Hartshorne Cup 2-man team semi final.
His victory from 40 adrift over Ian McKay also earned him the most wins in A Division prize with 18 out of 20 off the top handicap rating.

The Golf Club upset this years champs however with a 3-2 home win after the two Chris's, Drabble and Parker, played a starring role.

 

Captains Cup Team Aggregate final: Bolehill Inst No 1 298, Bolehill Inst No 2 213.
Jimmy Harper Team Plate semi finals: Belper Strutt No 2 bt Jaxx Q Club Belper by 60pts; Belper Strutt No 1 bt Matlock Club by 1pt.
League: Matlock Golf Club 3, Marehay MW / PJ'z 2.
Hartshorne Cup 2-man Team semi final: Ben Monk / Andrew Gratton (Marehay) 3, Kevin Holmes / Mark Harrison (Jaxx Q Club) 2.
Breaks: I Rose 83; B Monk 46,44,38,35,28,28; B Monk/A Gratton 40 (scotch dbls); A Gratton 37; S Robinson 27;  M Harrison 26,24; C Parker 24; K Holmes 22; C Stubbs 22; R Slack 20.

 

FINAL TABLES

A Division                        P      W      L      Pts

Marehay MW / PJ'z         18     13       5       59

Bolehill Institute No 1       18     11       7       51

Matlock Golf Club            18     10       8       48

Edgefold Matlock            18     10       8       47

Jaxx Q Club Belper         18      10      8       39

Leading  breaks: A Gratton 59; B Monk & L Bullock 51.

Leading wins: B Monk 16; R Slack 15; A Gratton 13.

B Division                        P      W      L      Pts

Belper Strutt No 1           18      11      7       51

Gladiators SC Matlock   18       9       9       49

Belper Strutt No 2           18       8     10       45

Bolehill Institute No 2      18       6     12       37

Matlock Club                   18       2     16       23
Leading breaks: T Brett 66,58 & 54; S Bullock 45.
Leading wins: C Stubbs 12; M Newby 11; I Peacock & W Shooter 10.

CHAMPAGNE FLOWS FOR BELPER STRUTT CLUB No 1

THE BIG match of the week was the B Division title decider which drew a much bigger than usual crowd to Belper Strutt Club, where the No 1 team entertained Matlock's Gladiators Social Club needing any kind of victory to secure the trophy.
The visitors could earn either a deciding play off match with a 3-2 win of their own or take the title outright should they earn a 4-1 verdict.

Mark Newby delivered a vital blow early doors for the Belper outfit as he defeated dual Derbyshire Under 21 champion Troy Brett 59-39 to continue his fine showing this season.

Vinnie Dennis hit back strongly to defeat Wayne Shooter in the next 58-26 before a pivotal clash saw Paul Jarrett come from 40 adrift against Mark Gwynne-Jones with the aid of a 24 break to triumph on the final black by 54-53 in a real cliff-hanger.

And the victory celebrations were unleashed after the next when Justin Weller edged out Dwayne Martin 58-48 before Troy Brett showed his undoubted class with a break of 66, the highest in the section, in the concluding doubles frame.

There was also a cracking encounter at Marehay Miners Welfare as the home team saw off the No 2 team from Strutt 3-2 on the final black.

Ben Monk knocked in a string of breaks during the evening but those efforts were bettered by Andrew Gratton who notched the highest A Division break of 59 in his victory in the second frame.

Chris Stubbs' 12th win of the season for the visitors ensured him of the most wins prize in B Division.

Bolehill Institute No 1 wrapped up the A Division runners-up spot with a 4-1 home win over Jaxx Q Club, though four of the frames went to the final black.

Andrew Brough's 18 clearance saw him superbly manoeuvre the black out over the pocket when taking the pink whilst the doubles frame saw the home pairing come from the snookers required stage as Ricki Slack also took blue, pink and black to sneak the extra point at the end.

Jaxx's Dan Robinson opened his account for the season with a fine display of potting earlier on.

NEIL PARKINSON finished the league campaign on a high for Edgefold Club.

Edgefold and Matlock Golf Club also earned 4-1 home wins respectively against Matlock Club and Bolehill No 2.

Captains Neil Parkinson and Keith Manlove top scored in the first encounter while at the Golf Club Graham Jones and Charlie Hodgkinson came from well adrift to take decisive points for the hosts.

League week 18 results: Belper Strutt No 1 3, Gladiators SC Matlock 2; Marehay MW / PJ'z 3, Belper Strutt No 2 2; Bolehill Inst No 1 4, Jaxx Q Club Belper 1; Edgefold Matlock 4, Matlock Club 1; Matlock Golf Club 4, Bolehill Inst
No 2 1.
Individual Handicap semi final: Andrew Gratton (Marehay) 3, Richard Ferguson (Edgefold) 0 (at Matlock Club).
Denis Morton Pairs Handicap semi final: Jimmy Gratton / Hannah Jones (Jaxx) 3, Ian Peacock / Martin Forster (Bolehill 2) 0 (at Edgefold).
Breaks: T Brett 66; A Gratton 59,31,29; J Gratton 59; B Monk 37,30,29,24,20;
P Jarrett 24; I McKay 23;  I Peacock 22; M Bunting 22.

A Division                        P      W      L      Pts
Marehay MW / PJ'z         17     13       4       57
Bolehill Institute No 1       18     11       7       51
Edgefold Matlock             18     10       8       47
Matlock Golf Club            17       9       8       45
Jaxx Q Club Belper         18      10      8       39
Leading  breaks: A Gratton 59; B Monk & L Bullock 51.
Leading wins: B Monk & R Slack 15; A Gratton 13.

B Division                        P      W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt No 1           18      11      7       51
Gladiators SC Matlock    18       9       9       49
Belper Strutt No 2           18       8     10       45
Bolehill Institute No 2      18       6     12       37
Matlock Club                   18       2     16       23
Leading breaks: T Brett 66,58 & 54; S Bullock 45.
Leading wins: C Stubbs 12; M Newby 11; I Peacock & W Shooter 10.