Bourne SC A are back on top of Spalding and District Snooker League Division Two after a Mark Gray-inspired success over Services C on Thursday night.
The league’s most heavily-handicapped player Gray (O98) sunk a 68 break in a black-ball win over Mark Spiller (scr) to clinch a 4-2 victory for the new leaders.
Gray’s heroics followed earlier wins from brothers Carl and Ian Gibson (both O7), before Nigel Cherry (O7) and Kevin Fitter (O7) hit back to win the final two frames for the Spalding side.
That moves the Bourne boys three points clear of Boundary A, having played two games fewer.
Third-placed Consti B surprisingly lost ground in the title race after coming a cropper 4-2 at Gosberton B.
A black-ball win at the death from Sam Craft sealed the success for lowly Gosberton, who give themselves a little breathing space at the foot.
That allowed Pyramid C to close the gap on Consti in fourth, as they edged out fellow high-fliers Crowland A 4-2. Tony Strickson (R14), Malcolm Croft (scr) and David Walker (R7) delivered the goods for the Bourne side.
At the wrong end of the second tier, basement boys Services B pulled off one of the results of the week by upsetting promotion hopefuls Holbeach B 4-2.
A 25 break from Alan Hansard (scr) in the final frame proved crucial for the victorious Spalding side.
Up in Division One, leaders Services A remain well clear after seeing off Holbeach C 4-2. Mike Knight (O4) made a 22 break for the pace-setters en route to winning the opening frame, while Charlie Mullane (R21) and Jon Bettinson (scr) also prevailed in their frames.
Second-placed Whittlesey A did shave a point off their now ten-point lead with a 5-1 win over Donington A. A 23 break from Terry Everritt (O14) was the highlight.
The best break in the top tier came from talented Bourne potter Jason Green (O56), who pocketed a cool 54 for Pyramid B. It wasn’t enough to seal the spoils for his side, though, as they went down 4-2 against Long Sutton B.
Bren Bowman (O63) was also on fine form with the cue as he made a 22 break and 21 clearance for Tulips A.
It was in vain, however, with Holbeach B shading a close contest with his charges 4-2.
Down in Division Three, leaders Gosberton D bounced back from their first defeat of the campaign with a 4-2 win at Pyramid E.
Jack Craft (R21) got his side over the line in the final frame, while Shane Davies (O21) trousered a 24 break.
Whittlesey C remain a point behind in second after a 4-2 win of their own against Donington B. Again, this one went down to the final frame, with Steve Jennings (O21) getting the better of Mick Clark (R7) 81-38.
The best break at this level came from Martin Perkins (O21). The Consti D ace racked up a fine 30 in the opening frame against Jay Kyle (R7), before John Cooper (R14) and Ray DIgby (R21) took the final two frames.
