ALFRETON No2 TAKE SPOILS IN CLAY CROSS RE-MATCH

JACK LOWE ... game changer

LAST SEASONS top pair met up again in the T & M Motors Snooker League with additional sponsorship from Lowes Catering just a week after their Six Red Cup battle and another thriller ensued but this time with a different result.
Andrew Bailey and Kai Hopkins (25 break) shared the opening two frames with decent performances before John Roseman (breaks of  25 and 22) edged Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 into a narrow lead.
Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 were not to be outdone this time however, and avenged their 4-3 defeat last week by taking the last two frames with Jack Lowe (Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week) notching victories in singles and doubles legs, latterly on the final black with partner Hopkins thanks to a 67-61 scoreline for 3-2.

Current leaders Bolehill No1 took a 3-2 success from Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 with Colin Marchington putting them ahead before Cole Smith equalised.
Ian Birks put the visitors back ahead before Ian Doe eventually secured the next after a ding dong battle on the black. Chances abounded at the end of the doubles leg too before it went to the home pairing of John Smith and Phil Longden again down to the final ball.

Tansley Potters scored an excellent 4-1 win over second placed Clay Cross Brotherhood No1. Neil Johnson impressed on his return to action from a long layoff with the Nevilles, Joe and Radford also successful either side of him.
Duncan Waring, playing a second frame as reserve, pulled one back before the home side took the pairs leg.

Edgefold No3 defeated Crich Comrades No1 4-1 in Matlock with Trevor Wright and Paul Trevett sharing the early frames and then Josh Dakin taking the next on the black.
James Hemming put the game to bed with wins in each of his singles and doubles legs, teaming up with Dakin to finish a good nights work.

The No2 Edgefold team also won 4-1 at Crich Comrades No2. Richard Ferguson (26 break) top scored and Josh Lee sealed the deal after Andy Statham had scored a debut win for the hosts on the black.

The other game saw Bolehill No2 continue their improved form this season with a 4-1 home defeat of Belper Royal British Legion.
Ben Langford and Owen Williams were each successful in their singles and doubles legs while Mark Newby amassed 87 points in the sole win for the visitors.

League week 06: Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 2, Bolehill Institute No1 3; Tansley Potters 4, Belper Royal British Legion 1; Edgefold Matlock No3 4, Crich Comrades No1 1; Crich Comrades No2 1, Edgefold Matlock No2 4; Bolehill Institute No2 4, Belper Royal British Legion 1.
Breaks: R Ferguson 26; K Hopkins 25; J Roseman 25,22; M Newby 21.

Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Jack Lowe (Alfreton PM No2).

CLICK HERE FOR LEAGUE TABLE

Leading wins: J Neville & S Burton 4/4.
Leading breaks: C Marchington 44; B Monk 39.

CLAY CROSS TEAMS ON THE BALL IN SIX RED CUP ACTION

LEE SHAW

THE FIRST ROUND of the Bob McCartin Six Red Cup saw five ties take place and featured a match up between the top two league teams of last season as Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 entertained Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2.
Callum Greenfiled and Lee Shaw put the hosts two up before Jack Lowe and late pre-match signing Paul Darby fought back to equalise at 2-2 with that pair teaming up soon after to edge the visitors into the lead for the first time.
However, John Roseman and Shaw steadied the ship to take it into a decider in which Greenfield and Mark Bower secured a 40-16 verdict for 4-3.

Also in action were this season's current top two as Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 took on Bolehill Institute No1. This one was no cliffhanger though with the Brotherhood reeling off the first five frames to secure a comfortable success with Graham Jones in excellent touch to take the opener and Stuart Williams (Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week) putting in a sparkling display on his debut to add the second soon afterwards.
Ian Birks led for much of the fourth frame but Duncan Waring's 25 clearance snatched it at the death before Birks took each of his remaining scotch doubles frames.
The academic last frame was remarkable in that it was the lowest scoreline possible with all six reds taken without a colour and no fouls during the frame, although the final black was not actually required with the score standing at 17-9!

Last season's winners Edgefold No1 took a 4-3 verdict at Crich Comrades No1 despite Phil Leverton (on the black) and Paul Trevett putting the home side two to the good early doors.
Martin Barwick and Steve Burton levelled up before Scott Brooks and Duncan Harwood gave the Matlock side a slender advantage at 3-2.
Leverton and Berry pulled the Tramwaymen level again on the black but Burton and Harwood steered the holders to victory 37-23 in the decider.

Elsewhere, Edgefold No2 saw off Crich Comrades No2 5-2 as they took all four singles frames through Sam Kniveton, Rob and Ross Muxlow and Josh Lee before the home side took two of the three scotch doubles legs, Matt Watson successful in two of them.

And Belper Royal British Legion scored an emphatic 6-1 victory at Edgefold No3 with Wayne Shooter, Steve Bullock and Justin Weller all unbeaten in both singles and doubles contests during the night. Trevor Wright replied for the vanquished.

Bob McCartin Six Red Cup first round: Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 4, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 3; Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 5, Bolehill Institute No1 2; Crich Comrades No1 3, Edgefold Matlock No1 4; Crich Comrades No2 2, Edgefold Matlock No2 5; Edgefold Matlock No1 1, Belper Royal British Legion 6. Byes: Tansley Potters, Bolehill Institute No2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1.
Breaks: D Waring 25.
Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Stuart Williams (Clay Cross Brotherhood No1).

GREENFIELD SHINES FOR CLAY CROSS AT BELPER LEGION

CALLUM GREENFIELD .... match winner

CLAY CROSS BROTHERHOOD No2 and Belper Royal British Legion served up a real thriller in this week's T & M Motors Snooker League with additional sponsorship from Lowes Catering Ltd.
The Legionnaires have had a tough start to the campaign against some of the league's expected leading lights and Callum Greenfield (30 break) continued that vein as he took the opener for the visitors.
Mark Newby was in blistering form for the hosts in the next however as he racked up breaks of 31 and 21 to deliver a 76-9 riposte and then Justin Weller (22 break) took a hard fought third frame for 2-1.
However, Lee Shaw with a 59-43 verdict squared things up and then teamed up with Greenfield (Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week) to engineer a 63-28 success in the doubles leg and complete the comeback, 3-2 for the Bros.

A battle of the champions from the last two years went the way of Edgefold No1 who scored an excellent 4-1 win at last seasons top dogs Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2.
Martin Barwick and Steve Burton both got the better of tight battles before a return to form for Ben Monk (39 break) pulled the hosts back into the contest.
But Duncan Harwood sealed the deal with a 68-29 win in the next and then partnered Burton to take the concluding doubles leg on the black.

Early leaders Bolehill No1 took maximum points from their home clash with Crich Comrades No2 with Ian Doe edging the opener by a single point after taking the last four colours and then Colin Marchington putting in the performance of the night to take the next. Ricki Slack, who amassed 99 points, and Ian Birks took their singles legs too before joining forces to complete the nap hand.

Crich Comrades No1 redressed the balance between the two clubs as they edged out Bolehill No2 3-2.
Jack Long top scored and Neil Wetton was also successful on his debut before Nick Berry steered the Tramwaymen over the line. Mick Bunting was twice on target for the vanquished in singles and doubles, teaming up with Ben Langford latterly.

Also triumphant by the same scoreline were Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 who remain second after edging out Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1.
Ian McKay top scored while Graham Jones and Duncan Waring battled to gritty successes with Andrew Haggarty winning each of his singles and doubles legs for the visitors, teaming up with Cole Smith to reduce the arrears.

The Matlock derby match saw Edgefold No3 who were several players short on the night nevertheless score a fantastic 4-1 win over Edgefold No2.
With only Josh Dakin and James Hemming available, meaning they had to give the penalty points handicap in their singles games as is the case if also playing the pairs leg, they nevertheless overcame this disadvantage and took all four individual frames. The tightest of these saw Dakin taking a 56-55 victory before Rob Muxlow and Josh Lee avoided the whitewash in the pairs contest.

League week 04: Belper Royal British Legion 2, Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 1, Edgefold Matlock No1 4; Bolehill Institute No1 5, Crich Comrades No2 0; Crich Comrades No1 3, Bolehill Institute No2 2; Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 2; Edgefold Matlock No2 1, Edgefold Matlock No3 4. Bye week: Tansley Potters.
Breaks: B Monk 39; M Newby 31,21; C Greenfield 30; C Marchington 24; J Weller 22; R Slack 22; J Dakin 22; J Hemming 21.
Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Callum Greenfield (Clay Cross Brotherhood No2).

CLICK FOR LEAGUE TABLE

Leading wins: R Slack & S Burton 4/4; J Neville 3/3.
Leading breaks: C Marchington 44; B Monk 39.

BOLEHILL No1 TAKE PAIRS LEG TO MAKE EARLY RUNNING

IAN DOE ... excelled in deciding doubles leg

WITH Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 team not in action this week, Bolehill Institute No1 had the chance to go outright top as they travelled to Edgefold No3 in week three of the T & M Motors Snooker League with enhanced sponsorship from Lowes Catering Ltd.
Colin Marchington took the opener 48-20 with a gritty display before an excellent performance from James Hemming levelled matters at 1-1, taking a 58-14 verdict on his first appearance of the season.
Ricki Slack nudged his team back in front, ultimately fluking match ball blue to secure a 63-35 scoreline in his favour but again the home side fought back strongly with Jacob Bradbury levelling at 2-2 as he clipped the pink into the middle pocket for a 63-47 win.
The  deciding doubles leg however saw Bolehill's Ian Doe go into overdrive with a virtuoso potting performance, ultimately unlucky to have his break of 25 cut short when potting the black but touching a red in the process with plenty more to go at. Nevertheless, he partnered captain Slack to a 70-44 success and steer the Wirksworth cuemen to the top of the table early doors.

Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 secured their second successive impressive win and now go second after a 4-1 defeat of Crich Comrades No2.
Gareth Rudkin continued his promising start for the Tramwaymen as he was fast out of the blocks for a 65-39 triumph but the visitors took over thereafter, taking all four remaining frames.
Tony Blant, Graham Jones and Duncan Waring all came through tight contests before Waring and Duane Parsons took the doubles leg with a bit more to spare.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 took victory in their opening match after a delayed start as they took the spoils 3-2 at Tansley Potters.
The Nevilles, Joe and Radford had put the hosts two up in a match that was switched from the scheduled venue on Hall Street but the Amber Valley cuemen fought back to turn it around as Andrew Haggarty (Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week) and John Smith won each of their singles as well as the doubles leg.

Edgefold No1 also switched their fixture to Belper Royal British Legion but it didn't stop them recording a 3-2 verdict.
Scott Brooks (25 break) and Mark Newby shared the opening frames but Duncan Harwood and Steve Burton (33 break) both took battling wins to seal the deal before Newby (23 break) and Wayne Shooter reduced the arrears in the pairs leg.

Edgefold No2 defeated Bolehill No2 3-2 although it was a good night for the hosts' Ben Langford who was successful in each of his singles and doubles legs in his first full appearance, having only featured in the pairs previously.
Richard Ferguson, Ross Muxlow (on the black) and Fin Harvey were on target for the victors.

In the other match, Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 showed they are again likely to be tough opposition for all despite the setback of a first week loss, as they powered into top form defeating Crich Comrades No1 5-0.
Damian Woodward top scored while John Roseman (23 break) and Mark Bower took each of their doubles and singles legs.

League week 3: Edgefold Matlock No3 2, Bolehill Institute No1 3; Crich Comrades No2 1, Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 4; Tansley Potters 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 3; Belper Royal British Legion 2, Edgefold Matlock No1 3; Bolehill Institute No2 2, Edgefold Matlock No2 3; Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 5, Crich Comrades No1 0. Bye week: Alfreton PM No 2.
Breaks: Steve Burton 33; Scott Brooks 25; Ian Doe 25; Mark Newby 23; John Roseman 23; Richard Ferguson 22.
Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Andrew Haggarty (Alfreton PM No1).

CLICK FOR LEAGUE TABLE

Leading wins: J Neville, R Slack, G Rudkin & S Burton 3/3.
Leading breaks: C Marchington 44; S Burton 33.

"FERGY" RETURNS TO LIFT EDGEFOLD No2 OVER THE LINE

RICHARD FERGUSON ... singles and doubles successes

THE second round of T & M Motors Snooker League matches (with additional sponsorship from Lowes Catering Ltd) took place recently and there was a thrilling night for the newly formed Edgefold No2 team who defeated last season's runners-up and dual cup winners Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 3-2.
Richard Ferguson, with runs of 31 and 21 ended the long winning streak of Callum Greenfield running back into last season and although Mark Bower requalised with a 67-37 riposte, a black ball victory for Josh Lee put the home side 2-1 ahread with two to play.
Damian Woodward, who had a ding dong battle with Rob Muxlow in the individual competitions last season, served up another thriller as he took the next on the black 58-56 to equalise but ultimately it was Ferguson again teaming up with Fin Harvey who steered the Matlock cuemen to an excellent success.
"Fergy" takes this weeks Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week award on his return to action after having his season curtailed through injury niggles last time around.

Tansley Potters also prevailed 3-2 over Crich Comrades No2.
The Nevilles, Joe and Radford soon had the hosts 2-0 up but the Tramwaymen battled back with a black ball win for Gareth Rudkin, thanks to a 22 clearance, and then captain Paul Hubbard taking the next.
The two Joes, Neville and Hawkins steered the home side over the line in the pairs though.

The other tight battle saw Edgefold No1 take a 3-2 win from Crich Comrades No1.
Steve Burton edged the opener 62-51 before Paul Trevett and then Ade Smith on the black saw the hosts go in front.
However, Burton appearing again as reserve, levelled at 2-2 before Duncan Harwood and Martin Barwick edged home in a tight deciding doubles leg 56-46.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 took their second successive 4-1 win, this time at Belper Royal British Legion with Nathan Brown and Wayne Shooter sharing the early frames.
Kai Hopkins with an 85-32 success and Jack Lowe with a 22 clearance giving him a 69-62 verdict - despite earlier runs of 30 and 25 from opponent Justin Weller - were highlights of the eveing.
Lowe and Brown then teamed up to take the doubles 66-46.

The other games saw 5-0 home wins for Bolehill No1 and Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 respectively.
Bolehill defeated their No2 team with a bit to spare on the night, Colin Marchington's 25 break setting the tone with solid performances down the line while Edgefold No3 were held pointless at Clay Cross.
Tony Blant took the second frame on the black and there was a high scoring contest in frame four which saw Duncan Waring take an 86-69 victory.

League week 02: Edgefold Matlock No2 3, Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 2; Tansley Potters 3, Crich Comrades No2 2; Crich Comrades No1 2, Edgefold Matlock No1 3; Belper Royal British Legion 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 4; Bolehill Institute No1 5, Bolehill Institute No2 0; Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 5, Edgefold Matlock No3 0.
Breaks: Richard Ferguson 31,21; Justin Weller 30,25; Colin Marchington 25; Jack Lowe 22; Gareth Rudkin 22.
Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Richard Ferguson (Edgefold Matlock No2).

FATHER AND SON TIP THE SCALES FOR TANSLEY POTTERS

JOE NEVILLE ... age no barrier

THE NEW T & M Motors Snooker League season got underway boosted with extra sponsorship towards trophies and prize money from Lowes Catering Ltd and the usual Player of the Week sponsors Clay Cross Brotherhood back on board, we thank them all in the opening week.
Tansley Potters, who narrowly missed out on the end of season play offs last season travelled to the revamped Edgefold No1 team with the Matlock club mixing up their players in all three teams from last season.
Scott Brooks (20 break) took the opener 80-42 as he returned to the first team with some aplomb before Steve Hawkins' 25 clearance saw him equalise with a 68-48 win.
Age is still no barrier for league stalwart Joe Neville in his 83rd year, and he put in a sterling performance to give the visitors the lead with a 70-42 success.
Steve Burton levelled matters at 2-2 with a 51-25 salvo but eventually it was the father and son partnership of Joe and Radford Neville who carried their side to an opening day win thanks to a 69-26 scoreline.

Colin Marchington of Bolehill No1 makes the early running in the highest break chart though his excellent effort of 44 at Belper Royal British Legion came at a stage when he was trailing 47-0 and indeed it was opponent Steve Bullock who took the frame on the pink to put his side one-nil up with a 72-60 verdict.
Ricki Slack and Simon Zoppi then nudged the visitors 2-1 ahead before Justin Weller levelled playing a second frame as reserve with the home side short on the opening day.
However, a scrappy deciding pairs leg saw Slack and Ian Birks prevail on the pink for a 3-2 Bolehill win.

Bolehill No2 were also off to a good start with a 3-2 home win over newly formed Crich Comrades No2. Paul Hubbard and Gareth Rudkin had put the visitors two up but a black-ball win from Paul Young kept the home side in the hunt and then Darren Bunting levelled before the pair teamed up to deliver a thrilling comeback win.

Yet another tight game saw Crich Comrades No1 defeat Edgefold No2 3-2 on School Lane.
Fin Harvey secured the opener on the black for the Matlock cuemen before Nick Berry and Paul Trevett flipped the match on its hinges to put the home side 2-1 up.
Josh Lee on his return to snooker combat levelled things up but ultimately it was Ade Smith and Berry who saw the Tramwaymen over the line 48-14.

The other game saw last seasons champions Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 starting as if they mean business again with a 4-1 defeat of Clay Cross Brotherhood No1.
With several of the team involved in the 24 hour snooker fundraiser a few days earlier, they came into the game well practiced and it showed on the night.
Duane Parsons had given the hosts the lead but that was as good as it got with Jack Lowe and Paul Sainsbury scoring black ball victories and then Nathan Brown (Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week) putting in a stunning performance with a 90 points to nine win to seal the overall success.
He then teamed up with Sainsbury to add the doubles leg for good measure.

League week 1: Edgefold Matlock No1 2, Tansley Potters 3; Belper RBL 2, Bolehill Institute No1 3; Bolehill Institute No2 3, Crich Comrades No2 2; Crich Comrades No1 3, Edgefold Matlock No2 2; Clay Cross Brotherhood No1 1, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 4; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No1 v Clay Cross Brotherhood No2 postponed. Bye week: Edgefold Matlock No3.
Breaks: Colin Marchington 44; Steve Hawkins 25; Justin Weller 22; Ricki Slack 21; Scott Brooks 20.
Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week: Nathan Brown (Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2).

JACK & JIM WIN REMAINING SNOOKER & BILLIARDS FINALS

JACK LOWE .... "B" individual handicap winner

THE REMAINING delayed finals in snooker and billiards formats took place this week with Jack Lowe of Alfreton Palmer Morewood taking on Edgefold's Rob Muxlow in the "B" Intermediate Individual Handicap and Whitworth's Jim McCann up against Tansley's Joe Neville in the three-ball game's Williams Cup.
Lowe had come through contests with Reece Johnstone, Andrew Haggarty, Trevor Wright and Ian Doe to reach the final showdown while Muxlow had seen off Sam Kniveton, Alex Fisher and Lee Shaw after an initial bye.
There was a gathering of a fair few people to see the climax at Tansley Potters which turned out to be more of a tactical affair rather than producing any high scoring visits in a match where the players mutually agreed to play a best of 7 rather than the usual best of 5 in this particular event.
Lowe took the first two frames 51-22 and 53-25 in similar vein with Rob not really getting his cue arm going from positions near the baulk cushion.
The third frame was more open with a fair few misses and free balls to boot boosting the totals, but Muxlow was still requiring three snookers on the colours and despite getting two of them, the Amber Valley cueman pulled away again at the end to take it 89-57.
A much more even fourth frame ensued thereafter with the scores locked together at 52 apiece but again it was Lowe who kept his cool to slot home the pink and black and take it 65-52 for a 4-0 success.
This completes a stellar season for the league's most improved player perhaps ever in the space of a few months, having not previously won an individual trophy, this now being his fifth major prize of the season comprising the  open handicap, the pairs handicap (with John Smith), most individual wins in the league with 17 out of 22 and his team also taking the League Championship.

JIM McCANN ... billiards handicap winner

Jim McCann lifted the Williams Cup (Billiards Individual Handicap) also at Tansley with a convincing 139-36 success after 75 minutes, rubber stamped by a 38 break, confirming his good recent form after a run to the semi finals in the English Over 60s plate competition recently whereas Neville, also runner-up in this event last year, had not had much in the way of competitive play of late.

"B" Intermediate Individual Handicap final: Jack Lowe (Alfreton Palmer Morewood) 4, Rob Muxlow (Edgefold Matlock) 0 (at Tansley Potters): 51-22; 53-25; 89-57; 65-52.
Williams Cup (Billiards Individual Handicap) final: Joe Neville (Tansley Potters) 36, Jim McCann (Whitworth Institute) 139 (at Tansley Potters). Breaks: Jim McCann 38.