After a mixed start to the Spalding and District Snooker League Division One season, Services A showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with on Thursday night.
The Spalding side picked up an impressive 5-1 success at much-fancied Bourne SC A, with Vince Fitter (O28) and Mike Knight (O21) bagging breaks of 32 and 24 respectively as they won their frames.
Not even a 61 break from Bourne maestro Mark Gray (O105) could help the home team, who lose ground on the top two as a result.
That’s after leaders Pyramid D made it five wins from seven games by beating hosts Holbeach A 4-2.
Marcus Hamilton’s (O35) 38 break was the highlight in that showdown.
Consti B moved level on points with them after going one better in their 5-1 success at Holbeach C. Their wins came from John Christian (R14), Mick Johnson (O35), Martin Fear (O7) and John Keeton (O14).
In the chasing pack, Long Sutton A enjoyed a 5-1 win of their own at Donington C.
Sean Swinburn (O49) starred with a 32 break for Sutton as he won the opening frame on the black.
Meanwhile, the two Tulips teams enjoyed big wins.
Tulips A picked off Boundary A 5-1, while Mark Wilkinson (O14) managed a 28 break as Tulips B won by the same score at Pyramid F.
In Division Two, Services B handed Boundary C – leaders before the start of play – a 4-2 reverse with Jason Rose (O21) making breaks of 22 and 21.
The lead is now jointly held by Consti F and Donington A, who both won 4-2.
Lee Pickett (O21) and Ben Harding (O21) both made 21 breaks for Holbeach E but lost 4-2 at home to Consti F, while Donington A saw off Sutton Bridge despite Glenn Ryan’s (O7) 20 break.
Elsewhere, Adam Twigg (O21) sank a fine 40 break in Gosberton A’s 4-2 success over Holbeach B.
There were also two whitewash wins in the second tier. Gary Thewliss’ (O7) 25 clearance helped Whittlesey C beat Donington B 6-0, while Consti H took maximum points against Crowland A with Seb Grimston (O21) and Doug Garfoot (O28) racking up breaks of 33 and 31 respectively.
Down in Division Three, there was a great moment for Darren Stanley (R21) as he clinched his second win since joining the league.
He saw off Kieran Richards-Witham (O14) as Stanley’s Consti C beat Consti E 4-2.
Third tier leaders Pyramid B continue to impress after Lester Gaunt’s (O35) 52 break helped them to a 5-1 triumph at Whittlesey B.
Behind them, second-placed Consti I lost and were leapfrogged by Gosberton D, who picked up a 4-2 away win.
There was also a solid 26 beak from Nick Keeble as Consti J lost 4-2 at Donington D, while James Elliott (R7) sank a 25 break for Gosberton C despite his team going down 5-1 to Bourne SC B.