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).