FIVE TEAMS SEPARATED BY FOUR POINTS IN TITLE CHASE

KEITH ROBERTSON'S 22 clearance was a match winner

JUST four points separate the top five teams in the most thrilling race yet for the Joinery Joint Snooker League title and Bolehill Institute No 2 upset one of the leading contenders Edgefold No 1 with a 3-2 win on Edge Road to complete a league double over their high flying counterparts.
There was little sign of things to come initially as firstly Rob Muxlow and then Duncan Harwood achieved routine victories to give the home team a 2-0 advantage early doors.
But danger man Keith Robertson started the comeback with a 69-47 verdict in frame three and then Mick Bunting showed some dashing potting skills on the colours to equalise.
And it was the same pairing who brought home the spoils, with Robertson's 22 clearance pivotal in turning a narrow deficit into a match winning frame scoreline.

Bolehill No 1 kept up the pressure with a 4-1 home win over Edgefold No 2, as Simon Zoppi edged out Sean Dobney on a re-spotted black on a night where both teams struggled to reach the heights. Rob Dicken avoided the dreaded whitewash with a run from yellow to pink in the concluding doubles.

Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 remain top thanks to a 3-2 success over last seasons champions Belper Strutt Club. Simon Mays top scored before Jamie Rowland earned his ninth successive league win on the black before Wayne Shooter took each of his singles and doubles frames.

And Alfreton No 2 scored a noteworthy 3-2 victory at Matlock Golf Club with Derek Smith again in fine form after Graham Jones put the golfers ahead in the opener. Charlie Hodgkinson's equalising win in frame four left everything resting on the doubles but Smith and Ryan Taylor made sure the trip back into the Amber Valley was a happy one.

League week 10 results: Edgefold Matlock No 1 2, Bolehill Institute No 1 3; Bolehill Institute No 1 4, Edgefold Matlock No 2 1; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 3, Belper Strutt Club 2; Matlock Golf Club 2, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 3. Bye week: Matlock Club.
Breaks: K Robertson 22; S Dobney 21; R Dicken 20; D Smith 20.

The Joinery Joint Snooker League
                                          P      W      L      Pts
Alfreton P Morewd No 1  10        8       2     32
Edgefold Matlock No 1     10       5       5      30
Bolehill Institute No 1         9        7       2     29
Matlock Golf Club              9        6       3     28
Alfreton P Morewd No 2  10        5       5     28
Bolehill Institute No 2         9        3       6     19
Edgefold Matlock No 2      9        4       5     18
Belper Strutt Club             9        3       6      14
Matlock Club                     9        1       8      12
Leading breaks: R Slack 44; A Russell 38.
Leading wins: J Rowland 9/9; G Jones 7/9; A Russell 7/10.

ALFRETON No 2 & GOLF CLUB SECURE SEMI FINAL SPOTS

DEREK SMITH, wide margin win for ALFRETON No 2

THE second round of group games took place this week in the Captains Cup team aggregate competition and resulted in two definite qualifiers for the semi finals, namely Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 and Matlock Golf Club.
The Amber Valley cueman scored a 305-217 points win over Edgefold Matlock No 2 with the damage done in the opening two frames as Tom Broughton and Derek Smith both amassed scores in the eighties against their shellshocked opponents.
Rob Dicken and Tom Chambers restored some dignity to the scoreline with narrow frame victories before teaming up in the doubles for a more comfortable success but the horse had bolted earlier in the evening.

Matlock Golf Club also enjoyed overall success (310-266) despite winning only two of the five frames in their clash with Belper Strutt Club as centurion Graham Jones and the ever reliable Tony Blant were in excellent form whilst Wayne Shooter won each of his singles and doubles legs for the visitors.

Group C is still in the balance though Edgefold Matlock No 1 took pole position, courtesy of a high quality 356-273 triumph over Bolehill Institute No 1 which included six breaks of 20 plus. Andy Russell was in imperious form for the victors, enjoying runs of 54 and 33 after Andrew Brough had top scored for the hosts.

Captains Cup (Team Aggregate competition): Group A: Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 305, Edgefold Matlock No 2 217; Group B: Matlock Golf Club 310, Belper Strutt Club 266; Group C: Bolehill Institute No 1 273, Edgefold Matlock No 1 356.
Breaks: A Russell 54,33; R Muxlow 29; R Slack 23,22; D Harwood 22; R Dicken 22; D Smith 20.

Group A                         P      W      L      F      A      Diff     Pts
Alfreton P M No 2          2       2       0     589   481    107       2
Matlock Club                  1       0       1     264   284     -20       0
Edgefold Matlock No 2  1       0       1     217   305     -78       0

Group B                         P      W      L      F      A      Diff     Pts
Matlock Golf Club          2       2       0     656   543    113        2
Belper Strutt Club          1       0       1     266   310     -44       0
Bolehill Institute No 2     1       0       1     277   346     -69       0

Group B                         P      W      L      F      A      Diff     Pts
Edgefold Matlock No 1  1       1       0     356   273      83       2
Bolehill Institute No 1     2       1       1     574   607     -33      1
Alfreton P M No 1          1       0       1     251   301    -50       0

Qualification preference: 1. Most wins; if equal, points difference to decide; if still level points scored.
Top teams in each group qualify along with best runner-up, remainder enter plate competition.

QUARTER FINAL INDIVIDUAL DRAWS FOR FEBRUARY

THE draws for the quarter finals of the competitions were made recently.

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).
Semi final draws will take place after the group stages of the Captains Cup.

 "B" (INTERMEDIATE) INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP Quarter Finals

Best of 3 Frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm unless stated

Tue Feb 14: A Haggarty (Alfreton PM 2) v K Munnelly (Bolehill Inst No 2)

Tue Feb 14: D Harwood (Edgefold Matlock 1) v Derek Smith (Alfreton PM 2)

Tue Feb 14: S Bullock (Belper Strutt Club) v John Smith (Alfreton PM 2)

Wed Feb 15: P Holmes (Matlock Club) v K Manlove (Matlock Club)

OPEN INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP Quarter Finals

Best of 3 frames - Normal League Handicaps apply - 7.30pm unless stated
Mon Feb 20: R Muxlow (Edgefold Matlock 1) v R Taylor (Alfreton PM 2)

Tue Feb 21: John Smith (Alfreton PM 2) v S Bullock (Belper Strutt Club)

Wed Feb 22: K Manlove (Matlock Club) v Derek Smith (Alfreton PM 2)

Wed Feb 22: D Harwood (Edgefold Matlock 1) v T Broughton (Alfreton PM 2)

TOM KICK STARTS EDGEFOLD No 2 TO WIN OVER LEADERS

TOM CHAMBERS was in blistering form for EDGEFOLD No 2

A THRILLING Joinery Joint Snooker League encounter unfolded this week as Edgefold No 2 defeated league leaders Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 on the final black.
Kevin Rowland took the opener for the table toppers courtesy of a 47-36 scoreline and Paul Pilsworth, gradually easing back into the fold, added the second shortly afterwards.
However a superb performance from Tom Chambers who had two breaks of 22 in his 85-44 triumph put the home team back in the game and reserve Duncan Harwood equalised soon afterwards.
And in the decisive doubles leg up stepped Rob Dicken (partnering Sam Lavelle) to double the black and give his team their best league result of the season so far.

Edgefold No 1 narrowed the gap to one point with a 3-2 win at Alfreton No 2, Andy Russell top scoring with breaks of 27 and 21 whilst Derek Smith and Andrew Haggarty clicked nicely in the doubles for the Amber Valley cuemen.

Also keeping up the pressure was Matlock Golf Club with a 4-1 defeat of Matlock Club. Chris Parker took both his singles and doubles legs on his return to the team after Graeme Wood had put the visitors ahead on the black in the opening frame for the second week running.

Andy Russell continued his breakbuilding streak in his OMYA Cup quarter final with runs of 50 and 42 en route to the semi finals.

League week 10 results: Edgefold Matlock No 2 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 2; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 2, Edgefold Matlock No 1 3; Matlock Golf Club 4, Matlock Club 1; Bolehill Institute No 2 v Bolehill Institute No 1 postponed. Bye week: Belper Strutt Club.
OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) quarter finals: Andy Russell 2, Rob Dicken 0; Steve Bullock 2, Rob Muxlow 0; Graham Jones 2, Keith Robertson 0.
Breaks: A Russell 50,42,27,22; D Harwood 24; T Chambers 22,22.

The Joinery Joint Snooker League
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Alfreton P Morewd No 1  9        7       2     29
Edgefold Matlock No 1     9        5       4     28
Matlock Golf Club             8       6       2      26
Bolehill Institute No 1       8        6       2      25
Alfreton P Morewd No 2  9        4       5      25
Edgefold Matlock No 2     8        4       4     17
Bolehill Institute No 2       8        2       6      16
Belper Strutt Club            8        3       5      12
Matlock Club                    9        1       8      12
Leading breaks: R Slack 44; A Russell 38.
Leading wins: J Rowland 8/8; A Russell 7/9; G Jones 6/8; T Broughton 6/9.

GOLF CLUB EDGE THE SPOILS TO STAY IN TOUCH AT TOP

GRAHAM JONES was in convincing form for MATLOCK GOLF CLUB

SOME big clashes in the congested race for the Joinery Joint Snooker League title this time around and one such game saw Matlock Golf Club return home triumphant with a 3-2 win from Edgefold No 1.
Rob Muxlow ended the unbeaten league run of Ian McKay in the opener with a 53-32 success but Chesterfield League seniors champ Paul Roe (25 break) and previous dual Derbyshire individual winner Graham Jones put in convincing shifts to edge the visitors in front.
Andy Russell scored his sixth win in eight games to equalise but it was the Jones-Roe combination who showed all their experience and class in the deciding doubles leg to engineer a 63-39 verdict.

The clash of the high flying Alfreton teams saw the No 1 outfit edge out the No 2 string by the minimum margin with Jamie Rowland winning both his singles and doubles outings whilst Andrew Beardsley opened his league account helped by a run of 29.
Derek Smith and Ryan Taylor registered for the vanquished.

Bolehill No 1 emerged from a bleak spell with a 4-1 home win over Matlock Club with Ricki Slack top scoring with 96pts after Graeme Wood had taken the opening frame courtesy of a cocked hat double on the black.

Belper Strutt Club lifted themselves off the foot of the table with a 3-2 success over Bolehill No 2.
Wayne Shooter and Kevin Munnelly were in fine form for their respective teams.

League week 9 results: Edgefold Matlock No 1 2, Matlock Golf Club 3; Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 1 3, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No 2 2; Bolehill Institute No 1 4, Matlock Club 1; Belper Strutt Club 3, Bolehill Institute No 2 2.
OMYA Cup (Individual Scratch) first round: Steve Bullock 2, Ian Peacock 0.
"B" (Intermediate) Individual Handicap first round: Derek Smith 2, Neil Parkinson 0; Keith Manlove 2, Ryan Taylor 0.
Denis Morton Pairs Handicap quarter final: Keith Manlove / Paul Holmes 2, Derek Smith / Andrew Haggarty 0.
Breaks: A Beardsley 29; P Roe 25; S Zoppi 25; R Slack 22,21; R Taylor 21; J Rowland 21.

The Joinery Joint Snooker League
                                         P      W      L      Pts
Alfreton P Morewd No 1  8        7       1     27
Bolehill Institute No 1       8        6       2     25
Edgefold Matlock No 1     8        4       4     25
Alfreton P Morewd No 2  8        4       4      23
Matlock Golf Club             8       5       2      22
Bolehill Institute No 2       8        2       6      16
Edgefold Matlock No 2     7        3       4     14
Belper Strutt Club            8        3       5      12
Matlock Club                    8        1       7      11
Leading breaks: R Slack 44; A Russell 38.
Leading wins: J Rowland 8/8; A Russell 6/8; I McKay, S Zoppi & R Taylor 5/6.

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.