MATLOCK CLUB EDGED OUT AGAIN IN ANOTHER THRILLER

JOHN SMITH was the hero of the hour for ALFRETON No 2

MATLOCK CLUB have been involved in some of the most exciting finishes in recent weeks and it was no exception this time around as they entertained Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 in the opening jousts of the Captain Cup team aggregate competition.
The Group A encounter got off to the tightest possible start with Graeme Wood and Ryan Taylor each scoring 46 points in the opener and the format of the competition meaning that the black was not required to be re-spotted on this occasion.
A remarkable frame then saw 170pts amassed between the two players, with Keith Manlove achieving the accolade of a 100pts haul whilst Tom Broughton's 70 would often have been enough to take the spoils on another day.
Mick Mackfall took the next on the black before John Smith pulled a few points back with a 52-42 success, leaving his team just 26pts adrift going into the concluding doubles leg.
And Smith was the hero of the hour as he teamed up with Broughton to secure a decisive 77-31 scoreline which gave his team an overall win of 284-264.

Group B saw Matlock Golf Club defeat Bolehill Institute No 2 346-277 with Graham Jones (breaks of 30 and 25) in fine form for the victors whilst Ian Peacock top scored for the hosts.

Bolehill No 1 enjoyed better fortunes with a 301-251 triumph in Group C at Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1. Ian Birks put the visitors in a commanding position courtesy of a 67-12 verdict in frame three though Paul Pilsworth's excellent 32 break in the final pairs leg made things interesting  until the victors steadied the ship from the last couple of reds onwards.

Andy Russell's 42 break was still not enough to overcome Keith Manlove in the Open Individual Handicap competition with the Matlock Club cueman scoring a 2-0 win.

Captains Cup Team Aggregate competition, Group A: Matlock Club 264, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 284; Group B; Bolehill Institute No 2 277, Matlock Golf Club 346; Group C: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 251, Bolehill Institute No 1 301.
Top teams from each group qualify for semi finals along with best runner-up. Teams winning both matches will qualify, if equal wins points difference to count.
Open Individual Handicap first round: Neil Parkinson 1, Rob Muxlow 2; John Smith 2, Andrew Haggarty 0; Andy Russell 0, Keith Manlove 2; Derek Smith 2, Ricki Slack 1; Keith Robertson 1, Tom Broughton 2; Rob Dicken 0, Ryan Taylor 2; Paul Holmes 1, Duncan Harwood 2; Steve Bullock 2, Kevin Munnelly 0.
Breaks: A Russell 42; R Muxlow 36; P Pilsworth 32; G Jones 30,25; J Smith 30; N Parkinson 29; R Slack 24; I Birks 22; T Broughton 22.

STRUTT CLUB TO FACE GOLF CLUB IN SIX RED FINAL

PAUL JARRETT book-ended Strutt Club's win with singles and scotch doubles successes

BELPER STRUTT CLUB fought back from 3-1 down to break the hearts of Matlock Club in the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup final and will now face Matlock Golf Club in the final in March.

Putting aside their indifferent start to the league, Paul Jarrett gave the hosts an early advantage with a 42-32 win in the opener before Paul Bryan (20 break) and Keith Manlove came back strongly with black ball wins.

Mick Mackfall added another with a 33-24 verdict to leave the visitors needing just one of the final three scotch doubles legs. However, Mark Newby and |Steve Bullock (39-21) and Wayne Shooter and Jarrett (50-19) levelled matters to leave it all on the decider.

And Jarrett and Newby triumphed in nail biting style with a 47-39 verdict which went down to the final pink and black.

Matlock Golf Club turned on the style with a superb 6-1 victory at Alfreton |Palmer |Morewood No 2. Tom Broughton put the hosts ahead but from thereon the visitors took control with Tony Blant, Graeme Jones and Paul Roe taking successive frames before Roe and Ian McKay teamed up to secure the decisive fourth leg.

Elsewhere, Rob Muxlow notched a classy 54 break as he and Neil Parkinson made progress to the semi finals of the pairs handicap competition.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup semi finals: Belper Strutt Club 4, Matlock Club 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 1, Matlock Golf Club 6.

Denis Morton Pairs Handicap quarter finals: R Muxlow / N Parkinson 2, G Jones / I McKay 0; R Slack / K Robertson 0, A Russell / D Harwood 2; J Rowland / S Mays 2, J Smith / R Taylor 0.

OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) quarter final: Derek Smith 2, John Smith 0.

Breaks: R Muxlow 54; A Russell 27; K Robertson 24; G Jones 24; P Bryan 20.

ANDREW BECOMES THE THIRD MAN TO DO XMAS DOUBLE

AT THE DOUBLE ... Alfreton Palmer Morewood's ANDREW HAGGARTY

THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOOTOUT NIGHT attracted thirteen hardy souls on a treacherous night for travelling and culminated in a double success for Alfreton Palmer Morewood cueman Andrew Haggarty who triumphed in the individual handicap and speed snooker challenge events while Belper Strutt Club pairing Mark Newby and Wayne Shooter took the scotch doubles handicap competition.
All three quickfire events start and finish in the same evening, the individual and doubles consisting of one frame of six reds whilst the speed snooker is a contest to clear the colours faster than your opponent, all played on a straight knockout basis at Belper's Jaxx Q Club.

With dual winner Sean Dobney taking a hiatus this year, there was a chance for a new name on the Alan Hopkinson Trophy and up stepped Haggarty to produce his best snooker of the year as he incredibly won all his four individual handicap matches on the deciding black.
After edging out Gordon Critchlow, Ricki Slack, and Derek Smith, Haggarty was in prime position in the final against Edgefold's Duncan Harwood until the latter's superb pots on brown, blue and pink saw the Alfreton player in a familiar position with everything resting on the final ball.
Harwood, like Critchlow and Slack previously, had first shot on the black but to no avail and the Amber Valley player produced the shot of the night to slam in a long range pot to take the spoils to tumultuous applause.

The final of the speed snooker contest saw Haggarty defeat Belper Strutt Club's Wayne Shooter, whose in off on the blue proved pivotal, meaning another ball came up as a penalty, while the victor sunk pink into the middle pocket and then took his time to line up the black for a tap in, becoming the third-ever player to do the Christmas individual competition double following Andrew Gratton (11/12) and Ben Monk (12/13)

Earlier on, there was the first ever tie as Steve Bullock and Duncan Harwood both sank the black on the adjacent tables within a split second of one another and without a slow motion replay, bystanders were unable to call a winner, meaning the black came back up which saw Bullock progress.

Scotch doubles winners WAYNE SHOOTER and MARK NEWBY (Strutt Club)

It was almost a clean sweep for the dual victor Haggarty as he teamed up with Derek Smith to reach the final of the George Mills Trophy (pairs) but Shooter was also enjoying a great night himself as he and team mate Mark Newby proved too strong in the final.

Alan Hopkinson Trophy (Christmas 6 red individual handicap): winner, Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2); runner-up, Duncan Harwood (Edgefold Matlock No 1).
George Mills Trophy (Christmas 6 red scotch doubles handicap): winners, Mark Newby and Wayne Shooter (Belper Strutt Club); runners-up, Andrew Haggarty and Derek Smith (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2).
Eddie Lomas Trophy (speed snooker handicap challenge, clearing the colours): winner, Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2): runner-up, Wayne Shooter (Belper Strutt Club).
Breaks:  R Slack 28.

MATLOCK CLUB STORM INTO SEMIS WITH SIX APPEAL

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC KEITH MANLOVE

MATLOCK CLUB produced probably the best result in their short history since the team moved over from the now defunct County Offices NALGO Club with a stunning 6-1 verdict over league leaders Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 to take their place in the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup semi finals.
There was no sign of what was to come when the in form Simon Mays took the opener for the hosts, who needed to repeat their league whitewash over the visitors from a couple of weeks earlier to ensure a qualification spot themselves.
However, Paul Holmes ended the unbeaten run in all competitions of Jamie Rowland in the next and then Graeme Wood and Keith Manlove kept the dream alive for the Matlock cuemen going into the scotch doubles.
Further wins for Wood, coupled with Manlove and then Paul Bryan, left hopes dangling on the final leg as anything less than the six points would have seen them miss out in Group A.
So up stepped captain Manlove once more to remain undefeated in all three frames contested (along with Wood) as he partnered Holmes to a legendary success.

Equally enthralling was the winner-takes-all encounter in Group B which saw Matlock Golf Club edge out Edgefold No 1 4-3 to earn the all-important runners up spot.
Leading 3-1 with Ian McKay top scoring, things were looking rosy for the golfers until Andy Russell and Rob Muxlow combined to take the leading scotch doubles break so far of 37, putting them in line for the Presidents Cup, and then Russell again, with Duncan Harwood, made it 3-3 to take it into a decider.
But Graham Jones and Tony Blant remained ice cool to see off the fightback 41-17.

There was also re-arranged Joinery Joint League action as the fast improving Alfreton No 2 moved into contention at the top with their seventh win in eight games in all competitions, defeating Bolehill No 1 5-0 to leave three points separating four teams with another set to join them with a game in hand just a couple of points adrift.
John Smith won the tightest game of the evening 53-42 in a match where the home team weren't seriously threatened in the remainder of the frames.

League: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 5, Bolehill Institute No 1 0.
Bob McCartin Six Red Cup, Group A: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 1, Matlock Club 6. Group B: Matlock Golf Club 4, Edgefold Matlock No 1 3.
Breaks: A Russell / R Muxlow 37 (scotch doubles).

The Joinery Joint Snooker League
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Alfreton P Morewd No 1  7        6       1      24
Edgefold Matlock No 1     7        4       3     23
Bolehill Institute No 1       7        5       2      21
Alfreton P Morewd No 2  7        4       3      21
Matlock Golf Club             6       4       2      19
Edgefold Matlock No 2     7        3       4     14
Bolehill Institute No 2       7        2       5      14
Matlock Club                    7        1       5      10
Belper Strutt Club            7        2       5        9
Leading breaks: R Slack 44; A Russell 38.
Leading wins: J Rowland 7/7; I McKay 5/5; A Russell & T Broughton 5/7.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup
Group A                                    P       W      L       Pts

Alfreton P Morewood No 2         4        3       1      16
Matlock Club                               4        2       2      16
Bolehill Institute No 1                  4        2       2      16
Edgefold Matlock No 2               4        2       2       11

Alfreton P Morewood No 1         4        1       3      11

Group B                                   P       W       L       Pts

Belper Strutt Club                      3         2       1      14
Matlock Golf Club                      3         2       1       12
Edgefold Matlock No 1              3          2       1      12
Bolehill Institute No 2                 3         0       3        4
Leading scotch doubles break: A Russell / R Muxlow 37.

If tied on points, teams placing is decided by 1. Most wins; 2. Winner of the match between the two tied teams (top two qualify for semi finals from each group).

SHOOTOUT NIGHT AT JAXX BELPER WED DEC 28th 7.30pm

MAYS GOES RAMPANT AS ALFRETON No 1 HIT THE SUMMIT

SIMON MAYS ... 178 points haul in two weeks

ALFRETON PALMER MOREWOOD No 1 went outright top of the Joinery Joint Snooker League this week with their 3-2 win at Bolehill Institute No 2 earning them their sixth win in seven outings.
Ian Peacock continued his form from the last home game by defeating last seasons player of the year runner-up Kevin Rowland 68-45 to put the hosts ahead.
But Simon Mays, fresh from a 92pts haul the previous week, ran up a tally of 86pts in seeing off Keith Robertson, who for the second week running had a 29 break and still tasted defeat.
Veteran cueman Ralph Edgson took the next 59-35 and it was left to the still unbeaten Jamie Rowland with breaks of 25 and 22 to make the game safe for Alfreton.
Robertson and Mick Bunting reduced the deficit in the concluding doubles leg.

Edgefold No 1 are a point behind after their 4-1 win at Matlock Club, Andy Russell notching 97 points in taking the third frame after Graeme Wood had given the home team the lead in convincing fashion.

Belper Strutt Club gained their second win of the season, 3-2 at Edgefold No 2 as Wayne Shooter (25 break) opened his account for the season before Sam Lavelle and Dan Strutt took the consolation doubles leg to end the nights action.

In a rescheduled Bob McCartin Six Red Cup game from Group A, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 gained the 5-2 victory they needed to ensure qualification, drawing level with the vanquished Bolehill No 1 but having notched three wins, which is more than any of their rivals can muster.
Tom Broughton and Ian Birks top scored for their respective teams as the hosts again lost each of the scotch doubles in a repeat of their opening encounter at Matlock Club.

League week 8 results: Bolehill Institute No 2 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 3; Matlock Club 1, Edgefold Matlock No 1 4; Edgefold Matlock No 2 2, Belper Strutt Club 3.
Bob McCartin Six Red Cup Group A: Bolehill Institute No 1 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 5.
Breaks: K Robertson 29; J Rowland 25,22; W Shooter 25; A Russell 24; D Smith / A Haggarty 22 (sctch dbls).

The Joinery Joint Snooker League
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Alfreton P Morewd No 1  7        6       1      24
Edgefold Matlock No 1     7        4       3     23
Bolehill Institute No 1       6        5       1      21
Matlock Golf Club             6       4       2      19
Alfreton P Morewd No 2  6        3       3      16
Edgefold Matlock No 2     7        3       4     14
Bolehill Institute No 2       7        2       5      14
Matlock Club                    7        1       5       10
Belper Strutt Club            7        2       5        9
Leading breaks: R Slack 44; A Russell 38.
Leading wins: J Rowland 7/7; I McKay 5/5; A Russell 5/7.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup
Group A                                    P       W      L       Pts

Alfreton P Morewood No 2         4        3       1      16
Bolehill Institute No 1                  4        2       2      16
Edgefold Matlock No 2               4        2       2       11
Matlock Club                               3        1       2      10

Alfreton P Morewood No 1         3        1       2      10

Group B                                   P       W       L       Pts

Belper Strutt Club                      3         2       1      14
Edgefold Matlock No 1              2          2       0       9
Matlock Golf Club                      2         1       1        8
Bolehill Institute No 2                 3         0       3        4
Leading scotch doubles break: T Broughton / D Smith 33.

If tied on points, teams placing is decided by 1. Most wins; 2. Winner of the match between the two tied teams (top two qualify for semi finals from each group).

EDGEFOLD 2 STORM BACK FROM TWO DOWN AT BOLEHILL

SAM LAVELLE capped a good night for EDGEFOLD No 2

COMEBACK kings of this week's Joinery Joint Snooker League fixture list were Edgefold No 2 who reeled off a third consecutive league victory from their trip to Bolehill No 2, coming from 2-0 down in the process to take the spoils.
Ian Peacock was in storming form for the hosts in the opener with a 71-13 verdict never in doubt from the early stages, and Keith Robertson soon increased the advantage with his own 66-34 success.
Sam Lavelle pulled one back with a convincing 40-4 frame scoreline before Tom Chambers levelled with Robertson (29 break) having to play a second frame under a  points penalty with the home team a player short.
And in the deciding doubles leg, Lavelle capped a good night as he partnered Rob Dicken to a match-winning 59-36 triumph.

Meanwhile, at the top end of the table, two points separate four teams in what looks likely to be another enthralling chase for the title.

Matlock Golf Club ended Bolehill No 1's unbeaten league run by taking the first three frames, with Tony Blant (20 break) top scoring before Ian Birks took both his singles and doubles frames to reduce the scoreline to the minimum margin.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 went joint top with a 5-0 whitewash of Matlock Club. An exuberant Simon Mays (24 break) was coolness personified as he amassed 92 points to notch his third win in four games and later added the doubles with still undefeated partner Jamie Rowland.

Reigning champs Belper Strutt Club are still struggling to replicate last season's form as they lost 4-1 at the fast improving Alfreton No 2 for whom Tom Broughton and Andrew Haggarty top scored in the doubles after Paul Jarrett had registered for the visitors.

Andy Russell started his OMYA Cup individual knockout defence in fine style with a 60 break en route to a comfortable first round success.

League week 7 results: Bolehill Institute No 2 2, Edgefold Matlock No 2 3; Matlock Golf Club 3, Bolehill Institute No 1 2; Matlock Club 0, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 5; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 4, Belper Strutt Club 1. Bye: Edgefold Matlock No 1.
OMYA Cup first round: Andy Russell 2, Ricki Slack 0; Graham Jones 2, Mark Gwynne-Jones 0.
Breaks: A Russell 60,24; K Robertson 29; T Broughton 25; S Mays 24; T Blant 20.

The Joinery Joint Snooker League
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Alfreton P Morewd No 1  6        5       1      21
Bolehill Institute No 1       6        5       1      21
Matlock Golf Club             6       4       2      19
Edgefold Matlock No 1     6        3       3     19
Alfreton P Morewd No 2  6        3       3      16
Edgefold Matlock No 2     6        3       3     12
Bolehill Institute No 2       6        2       4      12
Matlock Club                    6        1       5        9
Belper Strutt Club            6        1       5        6
Leading breaks: R Slack 44; A Russell 38.
Leading wins: J Rowland 6/6; I McKay 5/5; S Zoppi & N Parkinson 4/4.