Title favourites Donington C were made to work hard in their first Spalding and District Snooker League Division One game of the season – by friendly foes Donington A.
Thursday night’s all-club affair was the closest game across all three divisions, with table-topping Donington C eventually emerging as 4-2 winners.
But the result was up in the air until the final ball of the match, with Graham Slater (R7) beating Paul Whyte (R7) 52-51 in a black-ball game.
Earlier in the game, Neil Reynolds (O56) made a 33 break, but was beaten by A-team ace Tony Scully (O21) 88-84 in another game that went to the last black.
That victory for Donington C carried extra significance following the news that second-placed Pyramid B slipped up 4-2 at Services E.
Vince Fitter (O21) made a fine 45 break for the victorious Spalding side, while Spencer Dawkins (O49) managed a cool 24 break for the Bourne boys.
Those results mean that Donington C extend their advantage at the summit to seven points.
Third placed Holbeach A also slipped up, going down 5-1 at Tulips B – who leapfrog them in the table as a result.
Joe Garland (scr) led the charge with a 30 clearance and 20 break, while team-mates Mark Woodberry (O49) and Ady Sibley (O7) added 21 and 20 respectively.
Elsewhere, Services A remain fifth after a fine 5-1 victory at Pyramid A. Mike Knight’s (O21) 29 break in frame one helped them get off to a flying start.
At the bottom, Bourne SC A gave themselves a big boost by seeing off high-flying Consti F 4-2.
Ollie Player (O21) and Carl Gibson (O21) made breaks of 32 and 28 respectively as both won their frames.
They are now just a point behind four teams above them – and one win off a place in the top ten.
In Division Two, Services F kept themselves in touch with leaders Long Sutton A with a 4-2 success over Boundary C. This one went to the wire, with Adam Braybrook (R7) seeing off Steve Walker (O7) 58-31 in the final frame to seal it for the Spalding side.
Mick Walker (O28) and Jack Chilvers (O28) made breaks of 25 and 24 respectively in what was a tight tussle.
A point further back in third are Long Sutton B, who edged out Gosberton D 4-2 in another competitive clash.
Carl Parnell (O35) lit up that contest with a 45 break in frame one, while Phil Goodman (O35) clinched the win in the fifth and final frame.
However, fourth-placed Consti B lost ground after a 4-2 reverse at Pyramid D.
Breaks of 27 and 23 from James Sharpe (O49) in a black-ball win proved vital for the Bourne side.
Meanwhile, Holbeach B eased their relegation fears with a 4-2 triumph over Consti H. A 25 break from Seb Grimston was in vain for Consti, who remain in the top six.
Down in Division Three, Crowland A now have a three-point lead at the top following a 4-2 success at Consti J. A 21 break from Trev Braybrook (R7) was in vain for the hosts.
Second-placed Long Sutton C lost ground after slipping to a shock 4-2 loss at home to lowly Whittlesey B.
Having trailed 2-0, Kerry Skutela (R28), Michael Foster (O7) and Andy Skutela (R21) got the job done for the visitors.
Also on winning form were Services D, who dispatched Bourne SC B 5-1 despite Pete Hodgson-Kerry (O35) making two breaks of 21 and Lester Gaunt (O35) pocketing a 25 break.
Donington B and Consti E also won 5-1, seeing off club rivals Donington D and Consti A respectively to stay in mid-table.
