BEN AND ROB LIFT TROPHIES AFTER THRILLING VICTORIES

BEN MONK ... four-timer

BEN MONK of Alfreton Palmer Morewood lifted the OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch event) for the second successive season and the fourth time overall, courtesy of a hard-fought 4-3 win over Belper Strutt's Justin Weller in a high quality encounter at Tansley.
Weller struck first in the opener with a 22 break en route to a 67-42 verdict before Monk hit back strongly with runs of 41 and 28 to equalise.
More swings and roundabouts ensued as the Strutt man, remaining undeterred, hit back for 2-1 after needing two snookers on the colours and then completing a clearance from brown onwards to snatch the frame.
Monk struck early in the next with a run of 32 but Weller worked his way back into the frame. Needing a difficult pink down the bottom cushion from the opposite jaw, the Strutt cueman agonisingly rattled it in the jaws as he strived for position on the black and Monk stepped up gratefully to tap in for 2-2.
Buoyed by that success, Monk was again in with a 35 break but still could not shake off Weller and eventually needed a long pink to edge the frame 61-48.
The Strutt man was still battling valiantly and notched an early 35 break to once again level at 3-3 before Monk replied with a 31 in the decider to take the frame 70-14 in a pulsating contest.
Ben afterwards dedicated the win to his ex-work colleague and friend Paul Bates who had passed away recently in tragic circumstances.

ROB MUXLOW...black ball decider

The "B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap final featured an all-Edgefold match-up with ex-team mates and regular practice partners Duncan Harwood and Rob Muxlow locking horns on World final night.
It was an evening of gritty snooker with lots of tight finishes and after a double-kiss on the pink from his opponent, Harwood struck first with pink and black for a 60-47 success.
It was soon 2-0 as Harwood controlled the second and 25 adrift in the next, Muxlow's prospects appeared bleak until he gradually battled back and clipped in a long pink and then despatched a straight black into the middle pocket.
Still it appeared to be going Harwood's way as he held a lead of 35 early doors in the next but again Muxlow  did not yield and eventually completed another fine comeback by taking blue and pink for 2-2.
And in a nip-and-tuck decider, Muxlow stepped up to knock in pink and black for a nerve-tingling victory after a safety shot had gone slightly awry from his opponent.

Meanwhile, the Jaeger Trophy play off semi finals took place with the tightest contest seeing Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 defeat Bolehill Institute 3-2 on Hall Street.
The euphoria of Bolehill's last gasp qualification soon wore off on the night as a late withdrawal left them one man down from the start and Simon Mays (31 break) and Kyle Ryde (runs of 54 and 27) were in barnstorming form to boot as the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead.
Ian Birks pulled one back with an 87-57 win in the next and when Simon Zoppi, giving the extra handicap as the substitute player doubling up, levelled with one of his best performances of the season, there seemed a chance of pulling it out of the fire.
But that was reckoning without the impressive Ryde, who was virtually unplayable all night, and he completed the job in hand in the doubles leg with runs of 25 and 21 to see his side into the final.

Their opponents will be Matlock Golf Club, who ended the unbeaten home run (in straight frames events) of Tansley Potters courtesy of a 3-1 win.
Joe Neville put Tansley ahead early doors but after that, the golfers dominated proceedings with Les Mooney, Graham Jones and Tony Blant all registering decisive wins to see them into the final.

OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) final: Ben Monk (Alfreton PM) 4 Justin Weller (Belper Strutt) 3 (at Tansley): 42-67(22); 83(41,28)-13; 41-53(22); 52(32)-42; 61(35)-48; 19-59(35); 70(31)-14.

"B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap final: Rob Muxlow (Edgefold) 3 Duncan Harwood (Edgefold) 2 (at Edgefold): 47-60; 20-55; 59(22)-53; 63-51; 70-58.

Jaeger Trophy (top four play off) semi finals: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 3, Bolehill Institute 2 (K Ryde 54,27,25,21; S Mays 31; B Monk 21); Tansley Potters 1, Matlock Golf Club 3.

ALFRETON No2 RETAIN TITLE WITH WIN OVER EDGEFOLD

ALFRETON PALMER MOREWOOD No2

AFTER an action packed final week of re-arranged fixtures in the T & M Motors Snooker League, it was Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 who retained their title courtesy of a 3-2 home win over Edgefold No 1 and then the failure of Matlock Golf Club to gain maximum points from their remaining game.
Kyle Ryde (22 break) was in barnstorming form in the opener and took an 82-12 victory before Ant McMahon battled hard to take the next on the black.
Chris Taylor (24 break) pulled one back for the Matlock cuemen but Ben Monk put the game to bed with runs of 32 and 22 before Sean Dobney (48 break) took the doubles leg with Taylor.

Edgefold No1 completed their fixtures the following night and lost their chance of a play-off place with a 4-1 defeat at Crich Comrades.
Paul Trevett ran up 80pts in the opener and Nick Berry made a winning reappearance after injury before Edgefold avoided the whitewash in the doubles.

Matlock Golf Club needed all five points from their trip to Bolehill Institute to lift the title but it was the hosts who completed the clean sweep to move into their highest league position of fourth when it mattered most and secure an unlikely play-off place.
Colin Marchington edged the opener on the black to quosh the golfers' dreams and with the score standing at 3-0, Tony Blant potted the deciding black in the next (against Ian Birks) only to see the cue ball disappear into another pocket which summed up their night with Bolehill taking the pairs leg to boot soon afterwards.

Bolehill had also been in action in the Jimmy Harper Plate semi finals earlier in the week but haven't been as effective on the road and Edgefold No 2 continued that trend with a 298-231 aggregate win.
Only nine points separated the teams before the final doubles frame but Steve Burton (27 break) hardly missed a pot throughout and partnered Rob Muxlow to an emphatic 75-17 win.

Their final opponents will be Tansley Potters who had to battle hard to see off Alfreton No 3 277-250. Gray Astle and Ady Lowe top scored before the Nevilles defeated the Lowes 56-38 in the doubles to maintain their small advantage.

Ben Monk also reached the final of the OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) defeating Les Mooney of Matlock Golf Club 3-0 with a top run of 39.

League (re-arranged): Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 3, Edgefold Matlock No1 2; Crich Comrades 4, Edgefold Matlock No1 1; Bolehill Institute 5, Matlock Golf Club 0.
Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Aggregate Consolation) semi finals: Edgefold Matlock No2 298, Bolehill Institute 231; Tansley Potters 277, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 250.
Breaks: S Dobney 48; B Monk 39,32,32,27,22,22; S Burton 27: C Taylor 24; K Ryde 22; A Lowe 22.

T & M Motors Snooker League         P        W       L       Pts
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                18        13        5       54
Tansley Potters                                  18        14       4       52
Matlock Golf Club                              18        11        7       50 
Bolehill Institute                                 18          7      11       46
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                18          9        9       45 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                      18          7      11       43
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                18          8      10       42
Edgefold Matlock No 2                      18          8      10       40 
Crich Comrades                                 18          7      11       39
Belper Strutt Club                              18          6      12       39
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, R Mulliss 67 & 60.
Leading wins: G Jones 14/18; J Neville 13/18.

TITLE RACE GOES DOWN TO LAST WEEK FOR TOP TRIO

GRAY ASTLE ... gritty display

TANSLEY POTTERS completed their league programme with a 3-2 home win over Belper Strutt Club and hang on grimly to top spot as two points separate the top three teams going into the final week of re-arranged T & M Motors Snooker League fixtures.
Joe Neville continued his fine form with his 13th win from 18 games as he edged the opener 57-49. Steve Hawkins added to the lead with a 57-32 verdict in the next.
Paul Jarrett reduced the arrears in frame three but Gray Astle ground out a crucial black ball win to settle the match before Strutt took the concluding doubles leg courtesy of Justin Weller and Mark Newby.
With Matlock Golf Club inactive, the focus was on Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 to see if they could gain a foothold in the title race.

But opponents Edgefold No2 were in no mood for a victory parade just yet as they returned from Hall Street with a stunning 4-1 win.
Jamie Wright took the opener on the black and with Steve Burton, Rob Muxlow and Roy Taylor adding to it the hosts were reeling until Ben Monk and Kevin Rowland showed their class with a century points haul in the remaining doubles leg. In fact Monk was in excellent nick throughout the evening, with defiant runs of 44,38 and 30 as he battled to stem the tide.

A few of these teams were in action again later in the week and a sense of normality was resumed with Alfreton No2 defeating Strutt Club 3-2. Monk was again inspirational as he gave his team an early lead which soon became 3-0 before the hosts struck back with Justin Weller taking his singles and doubles legs.

Edgefold No2 meanwhile returned to Alfreton to play the host club's No3 team but this time the Amber Valley cuemen held sway 3-2 as Ady Lowe and Steve Burton top scored respectively.

Alfreton No3 had also been in action earlier in the week but fell 4-1 to the Edgefold No1 team despite Graeme Wood striking first for the vanquished. Chris Taylor top scored for the Matlock team.

And Alfreton No1 signed off for the season with an excellent 4-1 defeat of Crich Comrades. Andrew Haggarty was successful in both singles and doubles for the victors while Paul Trevett notched 83 points en route to the solitary success for the Tramwaymen.

In the competitions, Ben Monk and Simon Mays reached their third successive pairs final in the Denis Morton Trophy while Ady Lowe saw off Justin Weller to take his place in the Open Individual Handicap final.

League week 18 results: Tansley Potters 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 1, Edgefold Matlock No2 4; Belper Strutt Club 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 3, Edgefold Matlock No2 2; Edgefold Matlock No1 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 1; Crich Comrades 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 4.
Breaks: B Monk 44,38,30,30,29,27; J Weller 24; M Newby 22; S Mays 21.

T & M Motors Snooker League         P        W       L       Pts
Tansley Potters                                  18        14       4       52
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                17        12        5       51
Matlock Golf Club                              17        11        6       50 
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                18          9        9       45 
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                18          8      10       42
Bolehill Institute                                 17          6      11       41
Edgefold Matlock No 2                      18          8      10       40 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                      16          7        9       40
Belper Strutt Club                              18          6      12       39
Crich Comrades                                 17          6      11       35
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, R Mulliss 67 & 60.
Leading wins: G Jones 14/17; J Neville 13/18; L Mooney 12/17.

GOLF CLUB HIT THE SUMMIT AS TANSLEY ARE EDGED OUT

GRAHAM JONES ... 14 wins out of 17

WITH three matches taking place over the Easter period, Matlock Golf Club capitalised on Alfreton No 2's inactivity and a narrow defeat for Tansley to take over leadership of the T & M Motors Snooker League going into the final scheduled round of games (plus a few re-arrangements).
The golfers travelled to Alfreton No1 but it did not go their way early doors as first Des Smith and then Phil Longden put the home team 2-0 to the good.
Les Mooney produced a trademark steady performance to reduce the arrears and after Graham Jones had notched his 14th win in 17 outings, meaning he has already secured the Player of the Season award for most wins, everything rested on the final doubles leg.
And with the frame going down to the final black, it was the pairing of Jones and Mooney who emerged victorious by a nail-biting 62-56 scoreline.

Tansley Potters travelled to Bolehill Institute and the home team recorded their sixth win out of eight on their own baize courtesy of a 3-2 verdict.
Again it looked unlikely in the early exchanges with Joe Neville and Steve Hawkins taking the first two frames respectively before Simon Zoppi started the fightback with an excellent exhibition of potting.
Ian Birks levelled and then teamed up with Ricki Slack to seal the deal in the doubles.

The other match saw a convincing win for Edgefold No1 who defeated Crich Comrades 4-1. Duncan Harwood took both singles and doubles legs, latterly with Chris Taylor, while Ade Smith was on target for the Tramwaymen.

Harwood also excelled with Steve Clarke in the doubles semi final as they knocked out the holders Des Smith and Tom Broughton 3-0 and Belper Strutt Club's Justin Weller will contest the scratch final after a 3-1 defeat of Keith Robertson.

The last remaining Elliott Carpets Billiards League contest resulted in another win for runners-up Mayfield Institute, defeating Tansley Potters 12-7 with wins for Mark Jennings and Joe Neville respectively.
Snooker League week 17 results: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 2, Matlock Golf Club 3; Bolehill Institute 3, Tansley Potters 2; Edgefold Matlock No1 4, Crich Comrades 1.
Breaks (inc. comps): D Harwood 25; K Robertson 25; R Slack 24; R Neville 20.

Billiards League (re-arranged): Tansley Potters 7, Mayfield Institute 12.

T & M Motors Snooker League         P        W       L       Pts
Matlock Golf Club                              17        11        6       50 
Tansley Potters                                  17        13       4       49
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                15        11        4       47
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                16          8        8       41 
Bolehill Institute                                 17          6      11       41
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                17          7      10       38
Edgefold Matlock No 1                      15          6        9       36
Belper Strutt Club                              16          6      10       35
Edgefold Matlock No 2                      16          7        9       34 
Crich Comrades                                16          6      10       34
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, R Mulliss 67 & 60.
Leading wins: G Jones 14/17; J Neville & L Mooney 12/17.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League       P     W      D       L     Pts
Bolehill Institute                                 12     10       1       1    141
Mayfield Institute                               12       7       1       4    136
Whitworth Institute                             12       4       0       8    115
Tansley Potters                                  12       2       0     10    109
Leading breaks: J McCann 57, S Hawkins 46.
Leading wins: R Slack 10/12; J McCann 9/12.

THREE TEAMS ON LEVEL POINTS AS TITLE CHASE HOTS UP

ROB MULLISS...centurian

IT'S A THREE-WAY TIE at the top of the T & M Motors Snooker League after an action packed round of fixtures which saw a host of the main title candidates locking horns and elsewhere Crich's Rob Mulliss in barnstorming form with breaks of  67 and 38 en route to a century points haul.
Mulliss confirmed his provisional runner up position in the chase for the highest break but in the process bettered his previous effort of 60. His team Crich Comrades edged out Belper Strutt Club 3-2 with Paul Trevett and Jack Long securing the final doubles frame after Mark Newby had given the visitors the early advantage.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 had tough away games at second and third placed Tansley and Matlock Golf Club respectively and despite coming away with two 3-2 defeats, still currently hold the aces with a match in hand.
The Nevilles Radford and Joe soon had Tansley 2-0 up and a black ball win for Andrew Beardsley was much needed for the Amber Valley cuemen before Steve Hawkins piled on the pressure by making it 3-1.  Ben Monk and Jamie Rowland cut the deficit to the minimum margin in the doubles leg.

The following night Les Mooney and Graham Jones struck in both singles and doubles for the golfers with Monk and Rowland replying inbetween.
The Matlock side had also prevailed 3-2 at Alfreton No3 the previous night with Les Mooney and Paul Roe taking the deciding doubles frame after Graeme Wood and Dale Shaw had the hosts two up early doors.

Alfreton No1 saw off Edgefold No1 3-2 with John Smith's 30 break the highlight whilst brother Des and Phil Longden secured the deciding doubles leg. James Travis top scored for the Matlock side.

Edgefold No2's 3-2 defeat of Bolehill Institute left the latter without an away win all season as Jamie Wright and Ricki Slack top scored for their teams.

The "B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap final will be an all-Edgefold affair as Rob Muxlow and Duncan Harwood saw off James Travis and John Smith respectively in the semis.

The Elliott Carpets Billiards League runner-up spot has been secured by Mayfield Institute who defeated Whitworth Institute 14-5 despite Rob Lowe's run of 32 and then capitalised with another win on the road, this time 12-9 at Tansley.

Snooker League week 16: Crich Comrades 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Tansley Potters 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 2; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 2, Matlock Golf Club 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 3, Edgefold Matlock No1 2; Edgefold Matlock No2 3, Bolehill Institute 2; Matlock Golf Club 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 2.
Breaks: R Mulliss 67,38; J Smith 30,29,21; K Robertson 29; L Mooney 23; J Travis 23; G Wood 20.

Billiards re-arranged games: Whitworth Institute 5, Mayfield Institute 14; Tansley Potters 9, Mayfield Institute 14.
Breaks: R Lowe 32.

T & M Motors Snooker League         P        W       L       Pts
Tansley Potters                                  16        13        3       47
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                15        11        4       47
Matlock Golf Club                              16        10        6       47 
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                16          8        8       41 
Bolehill Institute                                 16          5      11       38
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                16          7        9       36
Belper Strutt Club                              16          6      10       35
Edgefold Matlock No 2                      16          7        9       34 
Crich Comrades                                15          6        9       33
Edgefold Matlock No 1                      14          5        9       32
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, R Mulliss 67 & 60.
Leading wins: G Jones 13/16; J Neville & L Mooney 11/16.

Elliott Carpets Billiards League       P     W      D       L     Pts
Bolehill Institute                                 12     10       1       1    141
Mayfield Institute                                11       6       1       4    124
Whitworth Institute                             12       4       0       8    115
Tansley Potters                                  11       2       0       9    102
Leading breaks: J McCann 57, S Hawkins 46.
Leading wins: R Slack 10/12; J McCann 9/12; K Gregory 8/11.

ALFRETON No2 & EDGEFOLD No1 TO LOCK HORNS AGAIN

JAMIE ROWLAND

IT WILL be a case of deja vu when the two teams line up for the Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) final as six red cup finalists Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 and Edgefold Matlock No1 will lock horns again in the final though the Matlock players will be hoping for a better result than last time around.
Both teams emerged from their semi finals with a bit to spare. Edgefold travelled to Crich Comrades and Steven Clark did alot of the damage early doors with a 77-38 success putting the hosts on the back foot.
Making a rare appearance, Chris Taylor edged the next by a single point before Paul Trevett clawed a few points back with a 63-50 success.
But that was as good as it got for the Tramwaymen as Duncan Harwood's 65-51 win gave the visitors a clear cushion going into the final pairs leg where Clark teamed up with Sean Dobney to steer the side home.

Alfreton No 2 faced Alfreton No 1 in the other semi final and were off to a flyer with Ben Monk's 97-55 win before Des Smith and Phil Longden both scored decent margin wins to nudge their team seven points head going into the final two frames.
But Jamie Rowland's 66-37 verdict calmed the nerves for the holders and Monk and Kevin Rowland never had any worries in the concluding doubles leg which they took 72-4.

In the Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Aggregate Consolation) both matches were much more tightly contested.
Edgefold No2 edged out Matlock Golf Club 316-302 to reach the semi final after Roy Taylor took full advantage of a fluked pink to follow up with a stupendous black right down the cushion into the green pocket in the doubles leg to swing the game their way.
In the other first round tie, Tansley Potters defeated Belper Strutt Club 264-254.
Gray Astle's 72-32 success in the fourth frame proved pivotal and despite a hearty effort in the doubles leg from Paul Jarrett and Mark Newby, the hosts clung on to progress.
Tansley's Joe Neville, also successful on the night, enjoyed an excellent week all round as he defeated Alfreton's Jack Lowe 3-0 in the Open Individual Handicap semi final.
Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) semi finals: Crich Comrades 269, Edgefold Matlock No1 321; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 240, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 330.
Jimmy Harper Plate (Team Aggregate Consolation) first round: Tansley Potters 264, Belper Strutt Club 254; Matlock Golf Club 302, Edgefold Matlock No2 316.
Breaks: B Monk 26,20; W Shooter 25; S Dobney 24.

KEITH IS BACK FROM BRINK TO LAND BILLIARDS SINGLES

KEITH GREGORY

THE LAST remaining billiards final took place this week and saw multiple winner Jim McCann of Whitworth Institute taking on Keith Gregory of Mayfield Institute for the Williams Cup at the Darley Dale venue.
Gregory, who received a 75pts handicap head start soon increased that lead before McCann hit back with a string of solid scoring to eventually seize the advantage and leave himself only 4pts from what seemed a routine victory.
However, one final effort from Gregory saw him drum up a superb unbroken run of 42 to turn the game on its head in one of the most memorable finals in recent times.

Tansley Potters and Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 served up the most thrilling encounter of the week on the snooker side of things, as their re-arranged Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) quarter final went right down to the wire.
Gray Astle and Steve Hawkins put the hosts in pole position going into the concluding doubles leg despite some astute play from Kyle Ryde but, as in the billiards, there was a last gasp turnaround as Ben Monk, who had already struck earlier with a 31 break, cleared up the last few colours to snatch an unlikely victory by just two points.

Tansley were also in T & M Motors Snooker League action as they travelled to Matlock Golf Club and secured a 3-2 win in their second v third clash with new registration Martin Lawrence from the Sheffield League showing his prowess by taking both his singles and doubles legs in barnstorming fashion with the highlight being a break of 51.
Graham Jones continued his excellent form by top scoring for the golfers.

Alfreton No 3 reasserted their position in the final play off place with a 4-1 win against their No 1 team. Jack Lowe was successful in singles and doubles legs for the victors while Andrew Haggarty contributed the only point for the vanquished.

Bolehill's home form continues to be in stark contrast to their results on their travels and they got back to winning ways with a 4-1 defeat of Crich Comrades.
Ricki Slack took pink and black to take a high scoring contest 79-76 in frame three and Ian Birks capitalised in the next with a run of 29.
Cliff Gould had put the Tramwaymen into the ascendancy early doors.

And Belper Strutt Club secured their fourth win in the last five with a 3-2 win at Edgefold No2 with Justin Weller and Roy Taylor top scoring respectively.

League week 15: Matlock Golf Club 2, Tansley Potters 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No3 4; Bolehill Institute 4, Crich Comrades 1; Edgefold Matlock No2 2, Belper Strutt Club 3.
Captains Cup (Team Aggregate) quarter final: Tansley Potters 279, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 281.
Breaks: M Lawrence 51; B Monk 31,27; I Birks 29; J Wright 20.

Williams Cup (billiards individual handicap) final: Jim McCann (Whitworth) 146, Keith Gregory (Mayfield) 150 (42 break unf).

T & M Motors Snooker League         P        W       L       Pts
Tansley Potters                                  15        12        3       44
Alfreton P Morewood No 2                13        11        2       43
Matlock Golf Club                              14          8        6       41 
Alfreton P Morewood No 3                15          8        7       39 
Bolehill Institute                                 15          5      10       36
Alfreton P Morewood No 1                15          6        9       33
Belper Strutt Club                              15          6        9       33
Edgefold Matlock No 2                      15          6        9       31 
Edgefold Matlock No 1                      13          5        8       30
Crich Comrades                                14          5        9       30
Leading breaks: S Donner 92, R Mulliss 60.
Leading wins: G Jones 12/14; L Mooney 10/14; J Lowe & J Neville 10/15.