Shocks have been few and far between in the first round of the Spalding & District League Knockout Cup, with just three teams beating higher-level opponents, all being Division Two against Division One.
Pyramid A embarrassed high-flying clubmates Pyramid F 3-2 after hitting back from 2-1 behind. Jim Benner (r14) won the opening black-ball game, despite a break of 21 from Pete Hobson-Kerry (o28). Carl Gibson (o21) and Ian Gibson (r7) put the ‘away’ side ahead but John Twell (scr) and Dean Cole (o7) prevailed to see the A team through to the next round.
Pyramid B also saw off the challenge of higher-ranked Services A 3-2, despite Vince Fitter (o42) winning the opening frame for the visitors, including a 21 break.
A run of three wins from Phil Cooke (r7), Darren Hibbins (o7) and Richard Clark (o14) secured passage for Pyramid, before Jake Haslam (o14) won the last frame.
Donington A were also victors, adding more distress to winless Consti E.
The all-Division One clashes saw wins for Pyramid C, Holbeach D and Holbeach C, against Services D, Services C and Boundary A respectively.
Services B emerged 3-2 victors against Division Two rivals Pyramid E thanks to wins from Jason Rose (o28), Andy Neal (r7) and Paul Doades (scr). Adrian Sharpe (o28) and Neil McLean (r7) were the away victors.
Another all-Division Two encounter brought success for Holbeach B against Gosberton D.
Two ties paired teams from Division Three, with Gosberton B winning at Consti B and Consti J seeing off Consti C 3-2. Terry George (r14) put the C team one up and Kevin Sweeney (r7) made it 2-1 after Les Andrews (r7) had levelled. Trev Braybrook (r21) and Stu Davies (o14) stormed back to complete the J team success.
Consti G led 3-0 on their way to a 3-2 win at a Consti I side from two levels lower. Darren Woodberry (o42), Nathan Wilson (o14) and Joe Garland (o7) made certain of victory before Pete Stokes (r14) and Richard Geddes (r28) hit back.
The same score brought a win for Division One side Pyramid D against Whittlesey B. Pawel Skutela (r14) won the opener for Whittlesey and Andy Skutela (r14) made it 2-1 after Peter Sharpe-Grose (r7) had levelled.
Josh Agger (o28) struck a 32 break and a 22 clearance to make it 2-2 and Sharpe-Grant returned to the table to win the decider.
The final Division One versus Division Three clash went in favour of Consti H at Donington D, while Division Two team Holbeach E saw off Donington B from the level lower.
Matches involving Whittlesey C and Consti D, and Consti A and Holbeach F remain outstanding.
Two catch-up games were played in the league. In Division One, Pyramid D pulled away from the foot of the table with a 4-2 victory over Consti G. Josh Agger (o28) made a 25 clearance to win the opening frame but Joe Garland (o7) levelled. Marcus Hamilton (028) struck a 24 break to put the hosts ahead but again Consti hit back with a win for Neil Grant (r7). It was left to Pete Sharpe-Grose (r7) to deliver victory, despite a break of 23 from Ady Sibley (o35).
Holbeach B maintained their 100 per cent record with a 4-2 win at home to Pyramid B in Division Two but were given a scare by the visitors, who went 2-0 up thanks to Gary Cooke (scr) and Stephen Thompson (r14).
Neil Harvey (o21) and Adi Liquorish (r14) hit back to level, leaving Barry Haynes (o7) to claim the glory.
Results: Knockout Cup – Boundary A lost to Holbeach C, Consti A v Holbeach – no result, Consti B lost to Gosberton B, Consti I 2 Consti G 3, Consti J 3 Consti C 2, Donington A beat Consti E, Donington D lost to Consti H, Holbeach B beat Gosberton D, Holbeach D beat Services C, Holbeach E beat Donington B, Pyramid A 3 Pyramid F 2, Pyramid B 3 Services A 2, Pyramid D 3 Whittlesey B 2, Services B 3 Pyramid E 2, Services D lost to Pyramid C, Whittlesey C v Consti D – outstanding.
Division One – Pyramid D 4 Consti G 2.
Division Two – Holbeach B 4 Pyramid B 2.
