BELPER STRUTT No 1 & MARTYN TAYLOR LAND TROPHIES

CAPTAINS CUP WINNERS: L-R: Steve Bullock, Mark Newby, Paul Jarrett and Wayne Shooter.
Also played: Ben Monk.

BELPER STRUTT No 1 lifted the Captains Cup team aggregate trophy at Matlock Cons as Bolehill Institute No 2 were thwarted in the final for the second consecutive season.
After a bout of early sparring, Ben Monk burst into life with a 54 break mid way through his opener with Ian Peacock to transform the frame and topped things off with the last three balls to boot for a 93-54 verdict.

Paul Jarrett then increased the lead with a steady performance as he overcame Martin Forster 79-47 and there was more of the same from Mark Newby who defeated Keith Robertson 65-27.

Mick Bunting eventually gave his team some kind of a foothold in the match with a 72-32 beating of Wayne Shooter but that still left a margin of 76 to erode going into the doubles.

But the experienced head of captain Steve Bullock and Shooter were never likely to offer any easy invitations at that stage and they saw off Robertson and Mark Sayer 50-37 for a comfortable overall success.

Strutt were gaining compensation for their Jaeger Trophy play off semi final defeat earlier in the week when Mark Newby (46 break) was their star turn.

However, a stupendous display from Edgefold's Martyn Taylor (breaks of 77 and 27) in a century points haul coupled with a decisive doubles win alongside Rob Muxlow saw his team prevail 3-2.

MARTYN TAYLOR and CHRIS PARKER ... OMYA Cup finalists

Taylor landed the OMYA Cup Individual Scratch prize the following night with a 4-0 final win over Matlock Cons' Chris Parker at Strutt Club, embellished by breaks of 83,43,36 and 24.

Parker and his cohorts had better luck in their Jaeger Trophy semi, as for the second successive season the No 4 seeded team ousted the No 1 ranked team to make the final.

Jack Lynch snatched the first for Cons by taking all the colours in a couple of visits for a vital black ball win, Colin Marchington cleared with 22 to equalise but it was Parker taking both his singles and doubles frames in some style (the latter paired with Charlie Hodgkinson) that sealed the 3-2 success.

Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) final: Belper Strutt No 1 319, Bolehill Inst No 2 228 (at Matlock Cons).
Jaeger Trophy Champion of Champions play off semi finals: Bolehill Inst No 1 2, Matlock Cons 3; Edgefold Matlock 3, Belper Strutt No 1 2.
OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) final: Martyn Taylor 4, Chris Parker 0 (at Belper Strutt Club).
Breaks: M Taylor 83,77,43,36,27,24; B Monk 54; M Newby 46; C Marchington 22.

STRUTT No 2 TASTE JIMMY HARPER CUP SUCCESS AGAIN

BELPER STRUTT No 2 - L-R: Dave Needham, Keith Hubbold, Chris Stubbs and Paul Ogden.

THE final round robin match in the Jimmy Harper Cup Team Plate competition was also a winner takes all decider as Matlock's Edgefold Club travelled to Belper Strutt Club No 2 with both teams having a win each under their belts.
Paul Ogden was off to a good start against the league's most prolific player this season Martyn Taylor but once again a superb break of 60 turned things around to give the visitors a 23-point ascendancy early doors.

Keith Hubbold and Chris Stubbs then set to work though and with respective scores of 72-32 and 92-39 put the home team into a commanding position.

Neil Parkinson made some inroads in the next with a 61-33 win but with a 42pts lead going into the doubles, it was still very much advantage Strutt.

And despite the Edgefold duo splitting the pack open from the break in a bid to get Taylor back in amongst the balls, the early chances fell to the home pairing of Stubbs and captain Dave Needham and with the aggregate lead extending to 74, handshakes were offered with the home team retaining the trophy having also won it in the previous season.

It was also their second piece of silverware this time around following their earlier victory in the Bob McCartin Six Red competition.

KEITH MANLOVE and STEVE BULLOCK before contesting the "B" (Intermediate)
Individual Handicap final.

Meanwhile, it was a Strutt No 1 player, Steve Bullock, who lifted the "B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap Trophy with a 3-0 final win over Matlock Club's Keith Manlove at Bolehill Institute.

The match was much closer than the scoreline would suggest however, as in the opening frame Manlove led by 12 going into the colours until an excellent yellow to pink clearance of 20 saw the Strutt player snatch it from his grasp.

Frame two saw a fine opportunity for 1-1 go astray with pink and black both in the open before Bullock made no mistake himself to extend the advantage and it soon became a hat-trick of pink ball deciders when he clipped a fine cut into the middle pocket in the third to secure the prize.

Bullock will also be contesting another final as he and partner Mark Newby came from 2-1 down to edge out Ricki Slack (46 break) and Colin Marchington 3-2 in the Denis Morton Trophy Pairs Handicap semi final.

Jimmy Harper Cup Team Plate (round robin decider): Belper Strutt No 1 285, Edgefold Matlock 211.
"B" (Intermediate) Indiv Handicap final: Steve Bullock 3, Keith Manlove 0.
Denis Morton Trophy Pairs Handicap semi final: Ricki Slack / Colin Marchington 2, Steve Bullock / Mark Newby 3.
Breaks: M Taylor 60; R Slack 46,20; S Bullock 20.

EDGEFOLD SECURE SECOND AND CONS MAKE PLAY-OFFS

ROB MUXLOW ... black ball win for EDGEFOLD

THE final round of games in this seasons Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division saw two barnstorming finales with both runners-up spot and the final play-off place up for grabs.
Belper Strutt No 1 entertained Edgefold Club with the victors guaranteed of the runners up spot and ace cueist Martyn Taylor drew first blood with a 77-33 win over Mark Newby, complemented by a break of 39.

Rob Muxlow (24 break) secured a vital 57-56 verdict over Paul Jarrett in the next on the black but Strutt weren't going to go down lightly and Ben Monk, the man for the big occasion, pulled one back with a 78-58 success over Neil Parkinson.

Wayne Shooter equalised shortly after a hard fought battle with Duncan Harwood so all rested on the concluding doubles frame.

And it was Taylor and Harwood who took the spoils 69-10 as they froze out Monk and partner Steve Bullock to earn their side the coveted second placing.

The fight for the final play-off spot for the Jaeger Trophy was possibly even more of a cliff-hanger, as with Belper Strutt No 2 gaining five points from their final fixture, Matlock Cons knew a defeat at Bolehill Institute No 2 would see them out of the top four, which they had occupied for almost the entire season.

And after Ian Peacock had put the home side ahead with a convincing display, it needed calm nerves from firstly Charlie Hodgkinson and then Chris Parker (with a black ball win) to steer the visitors in front.

Keith Robertson maintained his unbeaten record since returning in late season to equalise but plenty more drama was to follow.

Mick Bunting and Peacock led 52-39 in the all-important final frame against Parker and Jack Lynch with just three balls remaining but, after opportunities came and went, it was Lynch who saved the day for Cons, taking them all in one visit in a quite pulsating finish to the regular season.

Elsewhere, Ricki Slack (36 break) came from 2-1 down to edge out Keith Manlove in the Open Individual Handicap semi final.

League week 21 results: Belper Strutt No 1 2, Edgefold Matlock 3; Bolehill Inst No 2 2, Matlock Cons 3; Belper Strutt No 2 5, Matlock Club 0 (walkover due to the latter being unable to raise a team on the advertised or any alternative dates).
Open Indiv Handicap semi final: Ricki Slack 3, Keith Manlove 2.
Breaks: M Taylor 39; R Slack 36; R Muxlow 24; B Monk 22.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     18      15       3       59
Edgefold Matlock           18      13       5       54
Belper Strutt No 1          18      10       8       53
Matlock Cons                 18        9       9       45
Belper Strutt No 2          18        9       9       44
Bolehill Institute No 2     18        6     12       37
Matlock Club                  18        1     17       23
Leading breaks: M Taylor 74; B Monk 53.
Leading wins: M Taylor 15/16; R Slack 14/18.

BOLEHILL No 1 RIDE AN EDGEFOLD STORM TO TAKE TITLE

CHAMPIONS - BOLEHILL No 1: L-R: Simon Zoppi, Ian Birks, Colin Marchington,
Ricki Slack and Andrew Brough.

BOLEHILL INSTITUTE are Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division champions as their No 1 team eventually got over the line in their final league match at Edgefold Club.
A black ball win by Ian Birks over Rob Muxlow secured the one point they required for the silverware in the fourth frame and Birks followed up by taking pink and black in the concluding doubles contest (partnered by Andrew Brough) to reduce the eventual deficit to the minimum margin.

This is the first time in the history of the club one of their teams has topped the highest division, but things weren't looking quite so positive in the early exchanges.

The home side came out of the traps in flying fashion with Jason Ankers showing sterling ability around the black spot to win 84-42 after Ricki Slack had edged back into the frame and then Duncan Harwood producing his performance of the season in seeing off Colin Marchington 83-35.

Martyn Taylor made sure of the most individual wins award as he notched a 47 break en route to defeating Simon Zoppi 81-54.

Edgefold and Belper Strutt No 1 will battle it out for the runners-up spot in their match next week as they each stand on 51 points with the latter defeating Bolehill No 2 4-1.

Steve Bullock top scored for the victors and also played his part in securing the doubles frame on the deciding black, partnered by Wayne Shooter.
Mark Gwynne-Jones achieved the sole register for the vanquished.

Belper Strutt No 2 kept alive their chances of reaching the remaining play off place as they won 3-2 at the other contenders, Matlock Cons, though will still be hoping the latter slip up in their final game in order to have a chance of capitalising.


RICHARD DEAKIN ... top scored for Cons

Richard Deakin top scored in putting the hosts ahead before a fantastic performance by Adam Winson levelled things up.

Dave Needham eventually made sure of victory with a black ball win in frame four before Chris Parker and Charlie Hodgkinson edged what could be a vital doubles frame at the death.

Martyn Taylor and Chris Parker will contest the OMYA Cup individual scratch competition final as they each won their semis in decisive fashion with Taylor compiling a run of 60 and Parker 35, whilst Chris Stubbs and Adam Winson earlier reached the Pairs final.

League week 20 results: Edgefold Matlock 3, Bolehill Inst No 1 2; Belper Strutt No 1 4, Bolehill Inst No 2 1; Matlock Cons 2, Belper Strutt No 2 3.
OMYA Cup (Indiv Scratch) semi finals: Ricki Slack 0, Martyn Taylor 3; Paul Ogden 1, Chris Parker 3.
Denis Morton Trophy (Pairs Handicap) semi final: Chris Parker / Nick Kay 1, Chris Stubbs / Adam Winson 3.
Breaks: M Taylor 60,47,20; C Parker 35,22,20; A Winson 22; D Harwood 22;
R Slack 22; I Birks 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     18      15       3       59
Edgefold Matlock           17      12       5       51
Belper Strutt No 1          17      10       7       51
Matlock Cons                 17        8       9       42
Belper Strutt No 2          17        8       9       39
Bolehill Institute No 2     17        6     11       35
Matlock Club                  17        1     16       23
Leading breaks: M Taylor 74; B Monk 53.
Leading wins: M Taylor 14/15; R Slack 14/18; P Jarrett & C Marchington 11/16.

BOLEHILL No 1 SECURE VITAL VICTORY IN CRUNCH CLASH

IAN BIRKS ... crucial re-spotted black sealed the deal

THE top two teams locked horns in a crunch showdown in what was a massively pivotal week with only a couple of rounds left afterwards in this seasons Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division.

Bolehill Institute No 1, holding a seven points lead, needed a win to keep Belper Strutt No 1 at bay whilst the latter knew a good result would leave them nicely poised with a game in hand to come.

The importance of the clash brought an extra spectator or two into the ranks of the audience and after a hard fought frame, Ricki Slack gave the hosts the lead, taking brown, blue and pink against Mark Newby to prevail 73-48.

Colin Marchington and Paul Jarrett were nip and tuck in the next but again it was the home player who got in when it mattered with a clearance from yellow to pink making the score 2-0.

More gritty snooker followed as the remaining three frames were all settled on the final black.

 

Andrew Brough took on Justin Weller in frame three and held the advantage until his pink into the middle pocket from a narrow angle just caught the jaw and left his opponent in to snatch the last two balls and reduce the deficit.

Even more tension followed as Steve Bullock, seven ahead, agonisingly wobbled the black in the jaws of the baulk pocket and it stayed there for Ian Birks to force a re-spot with the scores level.

And it was he who ultimately sank it again to make the game safe before Ricki Slack potted the black into the middle pocket in the concluding doubles frame to give himself and partner Colin Marchington another narrow win for a 4-1 result.

That leaves Bolehill No 1 now requiring one point to secure the title in their final game at Edgefold Club next week after what was a superb night for them.

Edgefold themselves need two 5-0 scorelines to top the ladder after they came out on top 3-2 at Matlock Club.

 

Martyn Taylor won both his singles and doubles frames (the latter with Duncan Harwood) after the hosts had led 2-1 with Paul Bryan top scoring.

Belper Strutt No 2 also edged out Bolehill No 2 by the minimum margin with Chris Stubbs (26 break) playing a leading role though Keith Robertson continued his fine form for the vanquished by scoring no less than 118 points, one of the highest tallies of the season.

League week 19 results: Bolehill Inst No 1 4, Belper Strutt No 1 1; Matlock Club 2, Edgefold Matlock 3; Bolehill Inst No 2 2, Belper Strutt No 2 3.

Breaks: C Stubbs 26; R Slack 24; K Robertson 22; M Taylor 21; C Marchington 20.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     17      15       2       57
Edgefold Matlock           16      11       5       48
Belper Strutt No 1          16        9       7       47
Matlock Cons                 16        8       8       40
Belper Strutt No 2          16        7       9       36
Bolehill Institute No 2     16        6     10       34
Matlock Club                  17        1     16       23
Leading breaks: M Taylor 74; B Monk 53.
Leading wins: R Slack 14; M Taylor 13; C Marchington 11.

KEITH STEERS BOLEHILL No 2 TO LOCAL DERBY VICTORY

KEITH ROBERTSON played a starring role as BOLEHILL No 2 earned local bragging rights

THE COMPETITION is hotting up with three teams now battling it out for the Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division title as Belper Strutt No 1 and Edgefold Club each scored resounding victories to close on pacesetters Bolehill Institute No 1.
This is because Bolehill No 2 team edged the clash with their No 1 rivals 3-2 after coming from 2-0 down with Keith Robertson playing a starring role in his first appearance of the season.

It had seemed set to be business as normal early doors as Simon Zoppi with a sublime potting display and then Colin Marchington (ahead for the first time after potting the deciding black) gave the leaders the ascendency.

However, Robertson, aided by a 32 break, started the comeback and Mick Bunting ran out a decisive winner in frame four to equalise.

And it was the same pair who eventually prevailed in a tight doubles frame as the flying Robertson took brown, blue and pink in superb style to seal the victory.

Belper Strutt No 1 retain second place but are now just seven points behind with a game in hand after winning 4-1 at Matlock Club.

Graeme Wood gave the hosts the lead but Steve Bullock's black ball win over Keith Manlove made the game safe after Mark Newby had earlier top scored.

Edgefold Club are a point behind in third after a fantastic 5-0 win at Matlock Cons, who had previously been unbeaten at home.

Duncan Harwood and Jason Ankers won both their singles and doubles frames in a great team performance.

The Cons had also been edged out 3-2 in their re-arranged game at Belper Strutt No 2 earlier in the week where the most exciting frame saw Chris Parker win 82-81 against Keith Hubbold despite a run of 25 from the latter.

Chris Stubbs and Dave Needham took the doubles frame on the black as the hosts shaded it.

Paul Ogden became the first solo finalist of the season (outside of the Christmas extravaganza) after defeating Kevin Holmes 3-2 in the Open Individual Handicap semi final, coming from 2-1 down to take the spoils.

League week 18 results: Bolehill Inst No 1 2, Bolehill Inst No 2 3; Matlock Club 1, Belper Strutt No 1 4; Matlock Cons 0, Edgefold Matlock 5; Belper Strutt No 2 3, Matlock Cons 2 (re-arranged).
Open Indiv Handicap semi final: Paul Ogden 3, Kevin Holmes 2.
"B" (Intermediate) Indiv Handicap semi final: Keith Manlove w/o Kevin Holmes scr (match conceded).
Breaks: K Robertson 32; K Hubbold 25; S Zoppi 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     16      14       2       53
Belper Strutt No 1          15        9       6       46
Edgefold Matlock           15      10       5       45
Matlock Cons                 16        8       8       40
Belper Strutt No 2          15        6       9       33
Bolehill Institute No 2     15        6       9       32
Matlock Club                  16        1     15       21
Leading breaks: M Taylor 74; B Monk 53.
Leading wins: R Slack 13; M Taylor 12; C Marchington & P Jarrett 10.

MARTYN DENIED TON BUT STILL HEADS BREAKS CHART

MARTYN TAYLOR ... topping the breaks chart (again) with 74

WITH four rounds to go in the Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division, Bolehill Institute No 1 maintained their nine point advantage at the top though Belper Strutt Club No 1 moved strongly into second place and still have a game in hand.
The closest encounter though came at Edgefold Club where the home team shaded their contest with Belper Strutt No 2 3-2 to stay well in touch in third.

Robert Muxlow took the opener courtesy of a run of 24 before one of the most remarkable frames of the season also went their way in the next.

Martyn Taylor came to the table trailing by 61 and looking a forlorn hope before striking an amazing 74 break that only culminated when he potted black after the last red and went in-off into the middle pocket going up for the yellow with the colours waiting on their spots for a possible 108.

His opponent Keith Hubbold then moved back in front with the three baulk colours but Taylor hit back again undeterred taking blue and pink to win 86-78 no less!

Chris Stubbs (27 break) pulled one back for the visitors and also took the doubles convincingly with Dave Needham though Neil Parkinson had already made the game safe in between for the hosts.

MICK McFALL ... big win but team out of luck

Bolehill first team won 4-1 at Matlock Club with Simon Zoppi, Andrew Brough and Ricki Slack excelling whilst Mick McFall did likewise with a 65-7 scoreline for the vanquished.

Belper Strutt No 1 put a big dent in Matlock Cons' hopes of the title with a 5-0 win. Justin Weller, always a good recruit to have in reserve, came in for one of his occasional appearances and top scored on the night and he also took his doubles frame in runaway style partnered by Wayne Shooter.

League week 17 results: Edgefold Matlock 3, Belper Strutt No 2 2; Matlock Club 1, Bolehill Inst No 1 4; Belper Strutt No 1 5, Matlock Cons 0.
Breaks: M Taylor 74; C Stubbs 27; R Muxlow 24; J Weller 22; R Slack 21.

Highfields Farm Butchers Premier Division
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Bolehill Institute No 1     15      14       1       51
Belper Strutt No 1          14        8       6       42
Edgefold Matlock           14        9       5       40
Matlock Cons                 14        8       6       38
Belper Strutt No 2          14        5       9       30
Bolehill Institute No 2     14        5       9       29
Matlock Club                  15        1     14       20
Leading breaks: M Taylor 74; B Monk 53.
Leading wins: R Slack 13; M Taylor 11; C Marchington & P Jarrett 9.