BELPER STRUTT TAKE TITLE ON THE MOST WINS RULING

RICKI SLACK and GRAHAM JONES did battle in the OMYA Cup final

WITH three teams level going into the final round of Ashford Arms Premier League matches, the number of matches won over the season was almost as important as points on the board and in the end it was just that stat that seperate the top two protagonists, Belper Strutt Club and Edgefold No 2.
Edgefold No 1, the third team sharing the lead at the start of play, fell 4-1 at home to Bolehill No 2 to leave themselves out of contention as only Duncan Harwood could get on the winners roster whilst Martin Forster top scored for the visitors.
Edgefold No 2 put themselves in with a real shout with a 4-1 win at Bolehill No 1, three of those coming on the deciding black with Sean Dobney top scoring. Ricki Slack had given the hosts an early advantage but the Matlock side showed great battling qualities to take some close games.
That left Belper Strutt Club needing to match their score at home to Crich Comrades, as they had the edge on games won and what a thriller it proved to be with the result finally coming through at 11.30pm following a titanic battle.
Mark Newby took the opener on the black and then Steve Bullock pulled one out of the fire as he came back from two snookers required to add the second 52-48,

JUSTIN WELLER slammed home the last black

Justin Weller added the third 59-25 but just as things were looking rosy Keith Fretwell pulled one back with a convincing 82-41 scoreline to leave the hosts on tenterhooks.
However, T & M Motors player of the week Weller stepped up to the plate in the deciding doubles leg to slam home a tremendous long black adjacent to the side cushion and leave Strutt as champions in dramatic circumstances.
Matlock Golf Club's 5-0 win from their final match with Alfreton left them one point adrift of the top two with Ian McKay lifting the player of the season award with 13 wins from 15 outings.
Alfreton had edged out Matlock Club 3-2 earlier in the week with Guy Taylor and Paul Bryan (24 break) top scoring respectively.
The OMYA Cup Individual Scratch final was also played and went to Bolehill No 1's Ricki Slack for a fifth time, defeating Graham Jones of Matlock Golf Club 4-0 who was runner-up for the third consecutive season.
Slack had five breaks of 20+ en route to victory whilst nothing went quite right for his opponent on the night. Thanks to Duncan Harwood for officiating.
League week 18 results: Edgefold Matlock No 1 1, Bolehill Institute No 2 4; Bolehill Institute No 1 1, Edgefold Matlock No 2 4; Belper Strutt Club 4, Crich Comrades 1; Matlock Golf Club 5, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 0; Alfreton Palmer Morewood 3, Matlock Club 2.
OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) final: Ricki Slack 4, Graham Jones 0 (65(28)-26; 69(25,24)-18; 62(23)-53; 62(20)-40.)
Breaks: R Slack 28,25,24,23,23,20; K Robertson 24; P Bryan 24.

Ashford Arms Premier League   P       W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt Club                         16      12       4      48

Edgefold Matlock No 2                 16      10       6      48

Matlock Golf Club                         16      11       5      47
Edgefold Matlock No 1                 16        9       7      45

Bolehill Institute No 1                    16        8       8      39

Bolehill Institute No 2                    16        9       7      36

Alfreton Palmer Morewood           16        6     10      35

Crich Comrades                            16        5     11      33 

Matlock Club                                 16        2     14      29

Leading wins: I McKay 13/15; S Dobney 12/15.

Leading breaks: K Robertson 55; R Slack 54.

THREE TEAMS LEVEL IN LAST WEEK OF TITLE CHASE

KEVIN MUNNELLY shakes hands with eventual Open Handicap final winner SEAN DOBNEY at Matlock Club

THREE teams tee up for the final round of Ashford Arms Premier League matches on level points as both Edgefold teams do battle with Belper Strutt Club to be end of season table toppers with Matlock Golf Club hot on their heels just two points adrift and waiting for any possible slip-ups.
Last week's games saw Edgefold No1 make the most progress as their 4-1 win at Crich Comrades put them back on terms with the teams above them who both fell to 3-2 defeats.

Edgefold were completing their second win of the week over the Tramway villagemen, having earned a Jimmy Harper Plate final spot courtesy of a 302-265 win whcih saw Rob Muxlow and Keith Fretwell top scoring for their respective teams.

This time around Neil Parkinson and Nick Berry shared the opening frames and then hard fought wins for Duncan Harwood and Jason Ankers took the pressure off before the same pairing teamed up to take the concluding doubles leg.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood shocked the other Edgefold team with Derek Smith and |Ryan Taylor in fine form though Sean Dobney took his singles and doubles legs with breaks of 32 and 22.

Belper Strutt Club were edged out at the Golf Club, where Ian McKay had runs of 26 and 24 and Chris Parker (T&M Motors player of the week) 32 in the deciding pairs frame. Steve Bullock top scored for the visitors.

The Bolehill derby went to the No 2 team with Mick Bunting fluking the pink in the doubles and then taking his singles with a late rally after it looked like the No 1 team were in the ascendency with wins for Ricki Slack and Simon Zoppi.

Sean Dobney made no mistake in his Open Individual Handicap final at Matlock Club as he defeated Kevin Munnelly of Bolehill 4-1, taking the first on the black and always just doing enough amongst the balls to keep his opponent at bay.

Ashford Arms Premier League week 15 results: Crich Comrades 1, Edgefold Matlock No 1 4; Edgefold Matlock No 2 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 3; Matlock Golf Club 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Bolehill Institute No 2 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2.
Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Agg Consolation): Edgefold Matlock No 1 302, Crich Comrades 265.
Open Individual Handicap final (at Matlock Club): Sean Dobney 4, Kevin Munnelly 1 (58-47, 72-37,  80(24)-47, 28-57, 63-43).
Breaks: S Dobney 32,24,22; C Parker 32; I McKay 26,24; S Zoppi 20.

Ashford Arms Premier League   P       W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt Club                         15      11       4      44
Edgefold Matlock No 1                 15        9       6      44

Edgefold Matlock No 2                 15        9       6      44
Matlock Golf Club                         15      10       5      42
Bolehill Institute No 1                    15        8       7      38

Bolehill Institute No 2                    15        8       7      32

Alfreton Palmer Morewood           14        5       9      32

Crich Comrades                            15        5     10      32 

Matlock Club                                 15        2     13      27

Leading wins: I McKay 12/14; S Dobney 11/14; J Ankers 11/15.

Leading breaks: K Robertson 55; R Slack 54.

GOLF CLUB HANG ON FOR FINAL PLACE IN THRILLER

TONY BLANT kept battling for MATLOCK GOLF CLUB

THERE were two cliff-hanging finishes in this weeks aggregate cup competition matches and none were tighter than at Matlock Golf Club as the hosts held on gamely to see off Edgefold No 2 308-304 on the final black in the semi final of the Jimmy Harper Plate competition.
Sean Dobney took the opener 69-55 before Charlie Hodgkinson tipped the scales in the home side's favour with a 73-32 success and then Graham Jones (39 break) continued in similar fashion by taking the third 82-59.
The doubles leg was next and a 64-45 win gave the visitors some hope which was increased when Rob Dicken notched a 31 break when in amongst the reds in the deciding frame.
However his opponent Tony Blant was not going down lightly and battled back superbly to take each of the last four balls and pull it out of the fire in a real thriller.
In the Captains Cup, Bolehill No 2 and Alfreton Palmer Morewood also served up a feast with the Wirksworth men taking the spoils 242-214.
Ian Peacock and Des Smith each scored comfortable successes to leave things in the balance and then Guy Taylor and John Smith edged the next two frames leaving the Amber Valley cuemen 14 ahead going into the concluding doubles leg.
But ultimately a clearance from last red down to pink from Keith Robertson settled the issue in one fell swoop despite a superb snooker being laid by Smith in the following exchanges.
Bolehill's opponents will be Belper Strutt Club who saw off Matlock Club 313-249 in the other match. Mark Newby's 96-33 triumph in frame three proved pivotal and the two Paul's defiant salvo in the doubles leg with a 66-41 verdict could not affect the overall outcome.
Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) semi final: Bolehill Institute No 2 242, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 214; Matlock Club 242, Belper Strutt Club 313.
Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Aggregate Consolation) semi final: Matlock Golf Club 304, Edgefold Matlock No 2 2.
Breaks: G Jones 39; R Dicken 31; P Jarrett 22.

FINAL DATES AND VENUES (UPDATING WEEKLY)

THE final dates and venues will be added here as and when they are known on an ongoing basis over the next few weeks.

As agreed by the committee, dates will be put on the matches again this season, though you can of course play them in advance of the set date by re-arranging with your opponent (see the contacts sheet, please give at least 48hrs notice and preferably more).

If absolutely necessary, you can re-schedule it within an extra 7 days, failing agreement you can apply to the match secretary for a further 7 days to play it.

If someone doesn't contact the opposition and then fails to show, they are eliminated obviously.

Matches to be played off the latest handicaps on the scheduled date of the ties (if any are delayed and handicaps change subsequently, the original match handicap will stand).

Matches to take place as drawn for the semi finals, and finals will take place at selected neutral venues or if agreed, toss of a coin for venue between captains, all matches best of 5 this season with finals best of 7 (except "B" final which is best of 5).
Note that players switching over from teams in same club are not eligible to play in semi finals or finals.

OPEN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP Final

Best of 7 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.00pm

Wed Apr 11: Sean Dobney (Edgefold Matlock 2) v Kevin Munnelly (Bolehill 2)
(at Matlock Club)

OMYA CUP (Individual Scratch) Final

Best of 7 Frames - No handicaps - 7.00pm

Tue Apr 17: Ricki Slack (Bolehill 1) v Graham Jones (Matlock Golf Club)

(at Edgefold Club, Matlock)

JIMMY HARPER PLATE (Team Aggregate Consolation) Final

5 Frames Aggregate To Count - 7.30pm:

Mon Apr 23: Matlock Golf Club v Edgefold Matlock No 1

(Matock Golf Club won toss for home venue as agreed by captains)

CAPTAINS CUP (Team Aggregate) Final

5 Frames Aggregate To Count - 7.30pm:

Mon Apr 23: Belper Strutt Club v Bolehill Institute No 2

(at Edgefold Club, Matlock)

"B" (INTERMEDIATE) INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP Final

Best of 5 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm

Wed Apr 25: Steve Bullock (Belper Strutt) v Ade Smith (Crich Comrades)

(at Alfreton Palmer Morewood Club)

DENIS MORTON CUP (Pairs Handicap) Final
Best of 7 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.00pm
Mon Apr 30: G Jones / I McKay (Golf Club) v R Dickin / S Dobney (Edgefold 2)
(at Belper Strutt Club)

JAEGER TROPHY Play off Semi Finals
Best of 5 Frames - Normal League rules and handicaps apply - 7.30pm
Wed May 02: Belper Strutt Club v Edgefold Matlock No 1
Wed May 02: Edgefold Matlock No 2 v Matlock Golf Club

JAEGER TROPHY Play off Final

Best of 5 Frames - Normal League rules and handicaps apply - 7.30pm

Tue May 08: Belper Strutt Club v Edgefold Matlock No 2

(at Crich Comrades Club)

ALFRETON BLAST OFF THE BOTTOM WITH MAXIMUM HAUL

DEREK SMITH was in fine form for ALFRETON

ALFRETON PALMER MOREWOOD produced their best performance of the season with a 5-0 defeat of Bolehill No 2 lifting them off the foot of the Ashford Arms Premier League table with Derek Smith's 60-28 verdict in frame two earning him T & M Motors player of the week.
Ryan Taylor had come out on top in a tight battle in the opener prior to that and then Guy Taylor added the third on the black.
John Smith joined in the romp and pthen airs partners Andrew Haggarty and Ralph Edgson wrapped up the whitewash in the concluding frame.
Also winning 5-0 were Bolehill No 1 who are making a late challenge for the play off positions after defeating Crich Comrades. Ricki Slack and Ian Birks each took black ball deciders and then doubled up in the pairs to equally good effect.
Matlock Golf Club closed the gap on the leading trio with a 4-1 triumph at Edgefold No 1. Paul Roe top scored with a 78-50 success whilst Duncan Harwood and Jason Ankers took the pairs frame on the black to salvage something for the hosts.
Edgefold No 2 moved level on points with leaders Belper Strutt Club with a 4-1 win at Matlock Club. Sean Dobney top scored but Paul Holmes and Mick Mackfall prevented the clean sweep with a 74-41 success in the doubles.
Rob Dicken notched a 43 break as he and Sean Dobney reached the final of the Denis Morton Pairs Handicap competition with a 3-2 win at Alfreton.
League week 16 results: Alfreton Palmer Morewood 5, Bolehill Institute No 2 0; Bolehill Institute No 1 5, Crich Comrades 0; Edgefold Matlock No 1 1, Matlock Golf Club 4; Matlock Club 1, Edgefold Matlock No 2 4.
Denis Morton Pairs Handicap Cup: Graham Jones / Ian McKay 3, Ricki Slack / Keith Robertson 0; Andrew Haggarty / Derek Smith 2, Rob Dickin / Sean Dobney 3.
Breaks: R Dicken 43; D Smith 24,24; R Slack 22,22; G Jones 22,21; A Brough 21.

Ashford Arms Premier League   P       W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt Club                         14      11       3      42
Edgefold Matlock No 1                 14        8       6      40

Edgefold Matlock No 2                 14        9       5      42
Matlock Golf Club                         14        9       5      39
Bolehill Institute No 1                   14         8       6     36

Crich Comrades                           14         5       9     31

Bolehill Institute No 2                   14         7       7     29

Alfreton Palmer Morewood          13         4       9     29 

Matlock Club                                15         2     13     27

Leading wins: I McKay 11/13; S Dobney 10/13; J Ankers 10/14.

Leading breaks: K Robertson 55; R Slack 54.

MIXED FORTUNES FOR CRICH AS ALFRETON TAKE SPOILS

RYAN TAYLOR was successful for ALFRETON PALMER MOREWOOD

CRICH COMRADES were in Ashford Arms Premier League action twice during the week with mixed fortunes earning them a narrow win and loss apiece in their rearranged fixture with Edgefold No 2 and their scheduled outing against Alfreton Palmer Morewood.
Edging out the title chasing Matlock side 3-2 set them off on the right foot as Ade Smith and Cliff Gould amassed 91 and 76 points respectively whilst Sean Dobney and Sam Lavelle replied for the visitors.
However, Alfreton were in no mood to surrender later in the week and wins for Ryan Taylor, Guy Taylor and John Smith secured their third victory of the campaign. Nick Berry and Keith Fretwell top scored in their doubles for the home team.
Belper Strutt Club edged out nearest rivals Edgefold No 1 3-2 in the big clash on Campbell Street with Mark Newby sealing the deal in frame four before Rob Muxlow and Jason Ankers scored an important black ball success in the pairs leg.
Fourth placed Matlock Golf Club fell 4-1 at home to Bolehill No 1 despite a convincing success for Graham Jones. Colin Marchington (25 break and T & M Motors Player of the Week) top scored for the victors.
And Bolehill No 2's Keith Robertson notched a run of 36 as his team defeated Matlock Club 3-2, for whom Mick Mackfall was top points scorer.
League week 15 results: Crich Comrades 3, Edgefold Matlock No 2 2; Crich Comrades 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood 3; Belper Strutt Club 3, Edgefold Matlock No 1 2; Matlock Golf Club 1, Bolehill Institute No 2 4; Bolehill Institute No 2 3, Matlock Club 2.
"B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap semi finals: John Smith 0, Ade Smith 3; Guy Taylor 0, Steve Bullock 3.
Breaks: K Robertson 36; C Marchington 25; R Slack 24; I McKay 23; P Jarrett 23.

Ashford Arms Premier League   P       W      L      Pts
Belper Strutt Club                         14      11       3      42
Edgefold Matlock No 1                 13        8       5      39

Edgefold Matlock No 2                 13        8       5      38
Matlock Golf Club                         13        8       5      35
Bolehill Institute No 1                   13         7       6     31

Crich Comrades                           13         5       8     31

Bolehill Institute No 2                   13         7       6     29

Matlock Club                                14         2     12     26

Alfreton Palmer Morewood          12         3     10     24 

Leading wins: I McKay 10/12; J Ankers 10/13; S Dobney 9/12.
Leading breaks: K Robertson 55; R Slack 54.

EDGEFOLD No 2 ARE FIRST ONTO THE WINNERS ROSTER

EDGEFOLD No 2: L-R: Rob Dicken, Sam Lavelle and Sean Dobney. 
Did not arrive: Mark Gibson.
Also played in earlier rounds: Tom Chambers, Richard Ferguson.

EDGEFOLD No 2 snaffled the first silverware of the season as they lifting the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup this week at Bolehill Institute, defeating holders Belper Strutt Club in the final by an emphatic 5-0 scoreline.
Sam Lavelle took a tight opener 37-26 and Sean Dobney added the second 33-25 to earn his sixth consecutive win in the event to give the Matlock cuemen the best possible start.
A 35-11 verdict for Rob Dicken put them on the precipice and with the scotch doubles brought forward to frame four whilst waiting for late arrivals, it was Dicken and Dobney who sealed the deal in the scotch doubles, taking brown, blue, pink and black to steal the frame 30-22.
Dicken and Lavelle continued the winning streak in an academic frame five with team mate Mark Gibson only making it as far as Cromford before being turned back.
Elsewhere, the Jimmy Harper Team Plate got underway with the preliminary round match falling to Crich Comrades, who got the better of Bolehill No 1 318-249 on the aggregate scoreline.
Colin Marchington and Simon Zoppi had the visitors in an early advantage, but the hosts then turned on the style with Ady Lowe and Ade Smith scoring 91 and 92 points respectively before teaming up successfully with a black ball win in the pairs.
Bob McCartin Six Red Cup: Edgefold Matlock No 2 5, Belper Strutt Club 0 (at Bolehill Institute).
Jimmy Harper Team Plate: Crich Comrades 318, Bolehill Institute 249.
OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) semi final: Graham Jones 3, Justin Weller 1.
Open Individual Handicap semi final: Sean Dobney 3, Keith Manlove 0; Kevin Munnelly 3, Rob Dicken 0.
Breaks: J Weller 25; R Dicken / S Dobney 22 (scotch doubles).