Young gun Ben Wrigglesworth made a super 51 break as his Donington C side handed Spalding and District Snooker League Division One leaders Donington A a rare loss on Thursday night.
The O14 handicapper’s brilliant break is the best by a junior player so far this season – and gave the C side the perfect start in the opening frame of the match.
With Wrigglesworth doing the business, team-mates Neil Reynolds (O49), Neil Favell (O14) and Graham Slater (R7) finished the job off.
Reynolds added a 39 break for the C side, with Nigel Brasier (O7) hitting back with a 44 in the A team’s only frame success in only their second loss of the season.
However, second-placed Holbeach A missed the chance to close the sizeable gap at the top as they also went down 4-2 at Consti F.
In what was a close game, Robert Adams (O21) beat Mark Hubbard (O21) 44-35 in the final frame to give the Spalding side the win.
Holbeach remain 12 points off the pace as a result.
To complete a bad night for the leading three in the top flight, Bourne SC A were also handed a 4-2 reverse at Whittlesey A.
Laurie Smith (R7), Terry Everitt (O7) and Gary Thewliss (R7) got the wins for a Whittlesey side that started the day in the bottom two.
Staying at the bottom, basement boys Boundary A managed only their fifth win of the campaign as they upset high-flying Pyramid A.
Not even a 40 break from John Twell (O14) could deny the Deepings side, who still have every chance of avoiding the drop.
In Division Two, leaders Pyramid B chalked up another win as they defeated mid-table Boundary C 4-2 on the Bourne baize.
A re-spotted black victory from Dave Pearson (O14) in the penultimate frame proved key for the leaders, who were also boosted by wins from Alfonso Palumbo (O49) and Keith Duly (O7).
Holbeach C lost ground in the race for the title after they were seen off 4-2 by fellow high-flyers Services C.
Typically close, Kev FItter’s 66-43 frame triumph over Paul Ashton (R7) at the death settled the game in the Spalding side’s favour.
As a result, Holbeach are leapfrogged by Consti G after they beat Pyramid D 4-2.
Not even a 37 break from James Sharpe (O42) could save the Bourne boys.
Meanwhile, there was a timely win for struggling Services D as they earned a much-needed 4-2 success over Holbeach B. Using a four-player side, two wins from the in-form Karen Howlett (R28) helped them secure a sixth victory of the campaign.
Fellow strugglers Gosberton B also picked up their sixth success of the campaign with a 4-2 return against Consti H.
2-1 down with two to play, Adam Twigg (scr) and Sam Craft (scr) came through with frame wins to give Gosberton a big boost.
Down in Division Three, it was business as usual for leaders Services F as they dispatched Consti C 5-1.
Pete Holland (O28) shone with a 22 clearance for the table-toppers, who continue to boast a healthy lead.
Behind them, two of the top four squared off as third-placed Long Sutton C were defeated 4-2 at fourth-placed Whittlesey C.
Steve Jennings (O35) defeated Susan Lefley (R14) 91-62 in the final frame to settle that one, with both sides now locked together on 62 points – some 17 behind the leaders.
At the other end of the standings, the bottom two also went head-to-head.
In what was also an all-club affair, second-from-bottom Donington D edged out friendly foes Donington B 4-2 to leave the latter marooned at the foot. Pat Taylor (R21) settled that tie in the penultimate frame.
RESULTS
Division One: Services A 1 Sutton A 5; Consti F 4 Holbeach A 2; Sutton B 4 Services E 2; Boundary A 4 Pyramid A 2; Holbeach D 4 Consti B 2; Whittlesey A 4 Bourne SC A 2; Donington C 5 Donington A 1; Pyramid A 1 Sutton B 5
Division Two: Services D 4 Holbeach B 2; Pyramid B 4 Boundary C 2; Gosberton B 4 Consti H 2; Holbeach C 2 Services C 4; Consti G 4 Pyramid D 2.
Division Three: Consti J 4 Consti E 2; Consti C 1 Services F 5; Consti A 5 Gosberton C 1; Whittlesey C 4 Sutton C 2; Bourne SC B 4 Consti D 2; Donington D 4 Donington B 2.