It’s looking increasingly like just two teams can win Spalding and District Snooker League’s Division One title as the league enters its final five weeks.
That’s after table-topping Donington A dispatched third-placed Services E 4-2 last week.
Early wins from Peter Keal (R7), Nigel Brasier (O7) and Jim Thompson (O7) got the job done for the leaders, despite a 25 break from Vince Fitter (O28).
That result moves Donington 17 points clear of Services, with Bourne SC A now looking like their only realistic rivals.
The second-placed side remain five points off the summit after a 4-2 win of their own against Consti B.
Star man Mark Gray (O98) made a 52 break and 48 clearance in the opening frame, while Michael Byrne (R14) rounded off the win in the penultimate frame.
Behind them, Tulips A are now level with Services E in third spot after dispatching champions Tulips B 4-2 in a cracker.
Clearances of 34 and 31 from Nick Savic (O42) and Bren Bowman (O56) respectively inspired the A side, before Martin Anderson (scr) beat Mark Wilkinson (O14) in the final frame to clinch the points.
At the foot, Long Sutton A are four points adrift – despite a 4-2 win at Holbeach A. Mat Smith’s (O42) 34 break helped him take the match-winning frame.
Boundary A also boosted their survival bid with a 4-2 victory at relegation rivals Whittlesey A to leapfrog them in the table. Breaks of 26 and 21 from Terry Everitt (O7) weren’t enough for the hosts.
In Division Two, leaders Pyramid B were handed a 4-2 reverse by friendly foes Pyramid C to keep the title race interesting. A 35 break in a frame win from Spencer Dawkins wasn’t enough for the leaders, who did at least extend their lead at the top to eight points by beating basement boys Crowland C 4-2 in a rearranged clash.
Jason Green (O63) and Alfonso Palumbo (O49) bagged breaks of 48 and 29 respectively in that one.
Second-placed Services C do have a game in hand on the Bourne boys – and they kept the pressure on with a 5-1 win over Crowland A. They were boosted by a 22 break from Geoff Hemsil (R21).
Elsewhere in the second tier, a 32 break from Mark Gregory (O14) steered Holbeach C to a 4-2 win over Services D, while Russell Morse (O14) pocketed a 27 break in Crowland C’s 4-2 triumph against Crowland B.
Down in Division Three, Consti E handed Services F only their fourth league loss of the season in a 4-2 scoreline. Their wins came from Kevin Sweeney (R14), Stuart Gravil (O14) and Pete Tingle (R7).
Services are now 18 points ahead of Gosberton A in second after they edged out Consti A 4-2. Geoff Wand (R14) made a 24 break in that one.
With third-placed Whittlesey C not in action, Sutton C missed the chance to close the gap on them after losing 5-1 at Gosberton C.
RESULTS:
Division One: Boundary B 5 Pyramid A 1; Tulips B 2 Tulips A 4; Bourne SC A 4 Consti B 2; Consti F 4 Holbeach D 2; Services E 2 Donington A 4; Whittlesey A 2 Boundary B 4; Sutton B 2 Services A 4; Holbeach A 2 Sutton A 4.
Division Two: Services C 5 Crowland A 1; Crowland C 2 Pyramid B 4; Pyramid B 2 Pyramid C 4; Gosberton D 4 Holbeach B 2; Crowland C 4 Crowland B 2; Holbeach C 4 Services D 2.
Division Three: Consti E 4 Services F 2; Services B 5 Consti C 1; Consti A 2 Gosberton A 4; Consti J 2 Consti D 4; Whittlesey B 1 Donington B 5; Donington D 2 Bourne SC B 4; Gosberton C 5 Sutton C 1.
