The final unbeaten record in Spalding and District Snooker League went last Thursday night as Division Three side Services F were defeated at the fifth time of asking.
The Spalding side were beaten 4-2 by in-form Long Sutton C in the third tier, with Mark Dennis’ (R7) win over Tom Turner (R7) in the penultimate frame proving decisive.
Steve Dent (R7) and Susan Lefley (R21) were the other winners for Sutton, while Jack Chilvers (O14) and Oliver Turner (O21) grabbed frame wins for Services to at least secure them two points.
Division Three leaders Consti A were also beaten, with Services B pipping them 4-2 in a close contest.
This one went the distance, with Jeff Collins’ (R14) final frame triumph over Nigel Steadman (R14) proving the difference.
That allowed Gosberton A to make up ground on the leaders as they saw off club rivals Gosberton C 5-1.
Carl Wand (scr) was on magic form with a 22 break for the winners, who are now second in the standings.
The big winners at this level were Consti E, who demolished Donington D 6-0, while a Sam Mancuso (O7) break of 25 wasn’t enough to stop Whittlesey B losing 5-1 at home to Consti C.
It’s now five losses from as many matches for Whittlesey, who remain in the bottom two of the early standings.
Up in Division One, a super 79 break from Mark Gray (O105) wasn’t enough for leaders Bourne SC A as they crashed 4-2 against fourth-placed Services A.
That allowed Holbeach A to take over at the summit with a 4-2 win of their own against friendly foes Holbeach D.
Both Mick Pearl (O14) and Jem Merrison (O35), who made breaks of 25 and 21 respectively, won key black-ball games in that derby.
Elsewhere in the top tier, a super fine 61 break from star man Neil Reynolds (O49) was in vain for Donington C as they lost 4-2 at home to the talented Long Sutton A side.
Black-ball wins from Matt Smith (O42) and Wayne Dent (O42) were vital for Sutton, for who Sean Swinburn (O42) managed a 22 break.
Services E enjoyed a cool 5-1 triumph over Boundary A, with the Spalding side only denied maximum points by a black-ball win from Stewart Lilley (scr) in the final frame.
However, champions Tulips B continue to struggle a little in their defence of the title. They went down 5-1 at home to Long Sutton B, with Glenn Ryan (O21) making a solid 21 break.
With Division Two leaders Pyramid B not in action, the chasing pack took their chance to leapfrog them in the table. Third-placed Crowland C were 4-2 winners at Pyramid D, with Richard Wesley (R7), Russ Morse (O7) and Joel Shears (R7) all winners.
Fourth-placed Holbeach C also climbed above the Bourne side with a 5-1 win at Consti G, as Mark Gregory (O14) bagged a 20 break.
John Barnes (scr) did, at least, make a 21 break in reply for Consti.
At the other end of the table, Gosberton D and Consti H both secured morale-boosting victories.
Gosberton saw off club rivals Gosberton B 4-2, with Stuart Ruskin (R14) sealing that win in the final frame against Shaun Harvey (O21), who made a 24 break.
Consti H, meanwhile, beat Crowland B 4-2 thanks to Jon Holdershaw’s (R7) final frame heroics. Ian Smith (R14) did manage a fine 22 clearance for Crowland, though.
RESULTS
Division One: Holbeach A 4 Holbeach D 2; Donington C 2 Sutton A 4; Services E 5 Boundary A 1; Tulips B 1 Sutton B 5; Whittlesey B 2 Consti F 4; Bourne SC A 2 Services A 4; Sutton A 2 Pyramid A 4.
Division Two: Pyramid D 2 Crowland C 4; Consti G 1 Holbeach C 5; Gosberton D 4 Gosberton B 2.
Division Three: Sutton C 4 Services F 2; Services B 4 Consti A 2; Gosberton C 1 Gosberton A 5; Whittlesey B 1 Consti C 5; Donington B 2 Consti D 4; Consti E 6 Donington D 0; Consti H 4 Crowland B 2.
