Two of the likely contenders to win Spalding and District Snooker League’s top prize did battle last week – and it was Donington C who laid down an early-season marker.
In what was a cracking contest, Donington – third last season – edged out hosts Tulips A 4-2 thanks to the narrowest of final frame wins from Neil Favell (O14).
A 45 break from Tulips talisman Bren Bowman (O63) was the highlight of the contest, but he was crucially beaten by Matt Turner (R7).
Neil Reynolds’ (O49) 24 break then helped him level the scores at 2-2, before Favell edged Martin Anderson (O7) out on the final black to deliver four points for Donington.
The same clubs clashed in another close top tier tussle, as Donington A edged out second-placed Tulips B 4-2.
Sam Major (O14) and Tony Scully (scr) made breaks of 22 and 21 respectively for Donington in their success.
There was a 22 clearance from Tulips ace Darren Woodberry (O28), but it proved to be in vain for the Spalding side.
Elsewhere in the top flight, Whittlesey A grabbed their first win with a 5-1 triumph over Long Sutton A.
A fine 32 break from Mathew Smith (O42) did give Sutton an element of consolation, but John Willis (O7), Laurie Smith (R7), Gary Thewliss (scr) and Malcolm Bruce (R14) had already sealed the victory for the home side.
Consti F were also victorious, having handed Services A their first defeat of the season. A 25 break from Bryan Turnell (R7) helped him win the final frame to clinch a 4-2 team triumph.
In Division Two, Consti G kept their perfect start to the season going by beating Boundary A 4-2.
A 28 break from Andy Grimwood (O14) and Paul Johnson’s (R21) cool 22 helped the leaders make it four wins from as many matches.
Pyramid D were the big winners in the second tier, however. They smashed Services B 6-0 in a clash that saw James Sharpe (O42) pocket a fine 39 break.
Also victorious were Peter Grose (R7), Pete Jackson (R7), Marcus Hamilton (O35) and Lee Davies (O14).
There was an all-club battle between Consti B and Consti I, with the B side prevailing 4-2 thanks to a 56-55 win from John Keeton (O7) in the penultimate frame.
They are now third in the standings, just three points off the summit.
Consequently, Crowland B slip to fourth in the standings after seeing their unbeaten start ended by Gosberton B.
It went down to the wire, but Sam Craft (R14) delivered the goods to dispatch Jeff Roberts (R7) 57-41.
In Division Three, leaders Pyramid E saw their perfect start crushed by Consti A.
Having won their first four, Pyramid came unstuck 4-2 thanks to a final frame victory from Graham Ridley (R7).
Having trailed 2-0, Steve Hall (R7) and Paul Kent (R21) sparked the Consti comeback before Ridley applied the finishing touches on the final black of the game.
Consti D were another side to suffer their first loss of the campaign. Having won the first two frames against Gosberton C, David Haresign (R14), Norman Gookey (scr) and Malc Dennis (R7) hit back to seal a 4-2 victory for the home side.
Whittlesey C remain perfect in Division Three, though. They defeated Long Sutton C 4-2 to make it four wins from as many games and move one point off top.
Results: Division One: Tulips A 2 Donington C 4; Services A 2 Consti F 4; Holbeach D 2 Holbeach A 4; Donington A 4 Tulips B 2.
Division Two: Pyramid D 6 Services B 0; Consti H 2 Holbeach B 4; Crowland B 2 Gosberton B 4; Consti G 4 Boundary A 2; Consti H 2 Holbeach B 4; Consti B 4 Consti I 2; Services C 1 Pyramid C 5.
Division Three: Consti J 4 Donington D 2; Services D 6 Consti E 0; Gosberton C 4 Consti D 2; Donington B 6 Consti C 0; Whittlesey C 4 Long Sutton C 2; Consti A 4 Pyramid E 2.
