Three divisional champions were crowned on Thursday night’s thrilling final round of fixtures in the Spalding and District Snooker League.
In Division One, Holbeach A clinched the crown by three points after holding their nerve to beat a strong Bourne SC A side 4-2 away from home.
Wins from Mick Pearl (O14), Jem Merrison (O42) and Colin Dodd (O14) got the long-term leaders over the line in Bourne, with Merrison making a 29 break in the proccess.
The champions, who also had Mick Ayres Jnr (R14) and Mick Ayres (O7) playing on the night, managed 21 wins from 30 games for a great seasonal total of 113 points.
Services E, champions last season, kept them honest by beating hosts Donington A – who finish bottom – 4-2.
Vince Fitter (O28) and Martin Spencer (O21) both made 25 breaks for the Spalding side in what was another stellar season that yielded 22 wins and 110 points.
Holbeach D completed the top three in Division One, also breaking a century of points (103) in the process.
They defeated Boundary B 4-2 at home with Donald Monk (R7) sinking a 25 break.
The best break in the final week of the top tier went to Stuart Atkin (O49) – but his 31 couldn’t stop Services F from winning 4-2.
Down at the foot, Services F and Consti F filled the other spots in the bottom three.
In Division Two, Boundary A were crowned champions – but they stumbled over the finishing line a little.
The Deepings side went down 4-2 at home against Services B as Alan Hansard (scr) beat Stewart Lilley (scr) on the final black of the match, but finished six points clear of the rest.
The hard work was done by Pete King (scr), Andy Mowforth (O7), Barry Malthouse (R14), Jim McGhee (scr) and Lilley throughout the season and they are worthy winners.
Taking second spot were Pyramid D, who saw their challenge for the title end with a 4-2 reverse at Boundary C despite a 24 break from James Sharpe (O42).
At the other end of the table, Const I and Services B took the bottom two places, while Crowland B and Gosberton A end up with identical records and look set to face a play-off to see who will complete the bottom three.
Meanwhile, Carl Parnell and Pete Mullane ended the season in fine form as Services A beat Long Sutton B 5-1. Services’ Mullane (O21) made a 35 break, while Sutton star Parnell (O28) managed a cool 38 break for his side.
In Division Three, it was Donington B who clinched the championship in the tightest of the three title races.
Showing nerves of steel, Donington whitewashed Consti G 6-0 to finish two points clear of their two rivals.
Pete Burrell (O7), Phil Burrell (scr), Dave Banister (scr), Gav Lewis (scr) and Mick Clark (R7) – the latter making a 20 break – all won to ensure they jumped from third to first on the final night.
That’s after favourites Long Sutton C lost 4-2 at home against second-placed Holbeach E in what looked like being a ‘winner-takes-all’ clash.
Wins from Lee Pickett (O14), Aaron Coe (scr) and Pickett again would have had Holbeach dreaming of the title, but Donington’s heroics ensured they had to settle for second place, with Sutton third.
All three teams passed 100 points for the season and are deserving of promotion.
It was a low key finale in the rest of the division, with Ali Sharpe’s (O7) 23 break in Pyramid E’s 5-1 win at Whittlesey B the best on offer.
Martin Perkins (O21) also managed a 20 break as Consti D beat friendly foes Consti E 4-2.
