Cue ace Mark Gray made the first genuinely big break of the Spalding and District Snooker League season as his Bourne SC A kick-started their campaign with a 4-2 win at Boundary A in Division One.
The ex-professional, who plays off a huge O105 handicap, reeled off a 93 break in a frame win against Barry Malthouse (R14) at the Deepings club.
Gray’s frame triumph added to Ian Clare’s (O14) earlier frame success – and allowed Oliver Player (O28) to clinch the win in the final showdown. The win is only Bourne’s second from six games and elevates them out of the bottom three.
At the top of the table, another Bourne side took the lead after beating hosts Gosberton B 6-0.
Alfonso Palumbo’s (O49) 40 break was key for Pyramid, while Keith Duly (O14) added a cool 21.
Holbeach A are now second after slipping to a 4-2 reverse against Consti F.
That clash showcased breaks of 36, 34 and 24 from Robert Adams (O21), Mick Pearl (O14) and Bobby White (O21) respectively.
Tulips B are also in the frame at the top following a 5-1 home victory over Boundary B. Mark Woodberry (O49) sank a 23 break for the Spalding side – but he was their only player to lose a frame.
Services C are another side going well in seventh after knocking off Holbeach D 4-2. Black-ball wins from Nigel Cherry (O21) and Geoff Hemsil (R21) both won key black-ball matches for the Spalding side.
Meanwhile, Services A edged out Services E 4-2 in an all-club affair. Pete Mullane (O21) settled this one for the A team in the penultimate frame, while team-mate Paul Quincey (O14) sank a 28 break in the finale.
Down in Division Two, leaders Long Sutton A went down 4-2 at Consti I to see their lead cut to two points.
Richard Geddes (R7) settled that one by beating Stuart Atkin (O35) 81-53 in the final frame.
That was good news for Consti G, who walloped Gosberton D 6-0 to cement second position. Andy Grimwood (O7) starred for them with a 29 break.
Long Sutton B enjoyed a 5-1 win over Services F to leapfrong them into third place. Black-ball victories from Carl Parnell (O28) and Glenn Ryan (O14) proved key for Sutton in that one.
Holbeach C are nine points off top spot in fourth place, despite a 4-2 victory over Boundary C.
A solid 36 break from star man Paul Spittlehouse (O56) was in vain for the Deepings side, with Nick Edwards (R7) winning the final frame to get Holbeach over the line.
At the other end of the table, Pyramid C remain bottom of the pile following a 5-1 defeat at Gosberton A.
In Division Three, table-topping Gosberton C were beaten 4-2 at Services D – who also picked up their first win of the campaign.
Tanya Peel’s (R14) final-frame win over Mal Dennis (R14) got the Spalding side over the line and dealt the table-toppers a first defeat of the season so far.
Also slipping to a maiden loss were Long Sutton C, who were pipped 4-2 by hosts Consti C.
Dan Mayfield’s (O21) fine 40 break was in vain for Sutton as he was beaten 75-64 by Chris English (R14) in a tight final frame.
While those two title hopefuls were losing, Crowland A took adavantage by beating Whittlesey B 6-0.
Paul Cook’s (R7) 30 break was the highlight of a strong showing from Crowland, who are now just one point off top spot in third.
Also one point off the lead are Consti A, who beat Donington D 5-1 as Nick Savic (O49) notched a 28 break.
