Despite suffering a 6-0 defeat against deposed champions Tulips B on Thursday night, Donington A clinched the Spalding and District Snooker League Division One title.
A 48 break from Darren Woodberry (O35) and a 22 clearance from Mark Woodberry (O49) were the highlights of the Tulips win – and they can now seal second with a win on the final night of the season.
However, it was all about Donington regardless of the scoreline.
With second-placed Bourne SC beaten 5-1 at home by Holbeach A – although the in-form Mark Gray (O98) made a super 81 break – in their final match, Donington boast an unassailable four-point lead at the top.
The team consisting of Tony Scully, Peter Keal, Nigel Brasier, Jim Thompson, Pat Taylor and Jean Thompson have won an impressive 22 of their 31 games so far and are deserving champions.
At the other end of the top tier, Long Sutton A will definitely finish bottom having lost 6-0 at Whittlesey A. A 30 clearance from Malc Bruce (scr) was the standout moment for Whittlesey, who could still make the top six.
Consti B are also on the brink of the drop after a 5-1 reverse against Consti F. Mick Johnson’s (O28) break was their sole consolation.
Above them, Long Sutton B’s plight remains perilous. They went down 4-2 against Pyramid A and need to make up three points on Boundary A in the final round of fixtures to escape the bottom three.
Phil Goodman’s (O21) 31 break was the only success story for Sutton.
The Division Two title race has, as expected, gone to the final night of the campaign.
Table-topping Services C hold all of the cards after moving three points clear with a 4-2 victory at Pyramid D. Peter Grose (R7) made a 28 break for them – and the Spalding side need just four points from their final game against Consti G to be sure of the title.
Second-placed Pyramid B fluffed their lines with a 4-2 home loss against Holbeach B, despite breaks of 29 and 22 from Jason Green (O63).
Also losing 4-2 were third-placed Gosberton B, with Crowland B their conquerors.
Shane White’s (O21) 21 break in a frame win was their only high note, with Pyramid just two points above them.
Boundary C and Consti I, who beat Gosberton D and Consti G 5-1 respectively, are still in with a shout of top three finishes too.
At the foot, only one of Consti H, Crowland B and Services D looks above to stave off the drop, with Crowland A already doomed.
Services D did their hopes of survival the power of good by beating Pyramid C 5-1.
Down in Division Three, champions Services F weren’t in action – so it was all about the race for the top three.
Whittlesey C made sure of at least third place with a 4-2 victory over Consti C, with Steve Jennings (O35) beating Chris English (R14) in the final frame.
Barring a 6-0 defeat on the final day, Gosberton A also did enough to grab a promotion place despite going down 4-2 against Bourne SC B. A 23 break and a 27 clearance from Darren Crosby (O35) helped the Bourne side on their way.
RESULTS
Division One: Sutton A 2 Bourne SC A 4; Tulips B 6 Donington A 0; Boundary B 4 Services E 2; Boundary B 4 Services E 2; Services A 4 Boundary A 2; Consti F 5 Consti B 1; Bourne SC A 1 Holbeach A 5; Long Sutton B 2 Pyramid A 4; Whittlesey A 6 Sutton A 0; Donington C 2 Tulips A 4.
Division Two: Services D 5 Pyramid C 1; Consti G 1 Consti I 5; Boundary C 5 Gosberton D 1; Gosberton B 2 Crowland B 4; Pyramid B 2 Holbeach B 4; Pyramid D 2 Services C 4; Consti G 5 Crowland A 1.
Division Three: Consti J 4 Donington B 2; Gosberton A 2 Bourne SC B 4; Consti E 2 Whittlesey B 4; Pyramid E 4 Gosberton C 2; Whittlesey C 4 Consti C 2; Consti C 2 Consti J 4; Services B 2 Sutton C 4.
