It looked a foregone conclusion at the turn of the year – but Donington A’s charge to the Spalding and District Snooker League Division One title suffered another blow last week.
The table-toppers only lost once in the first half of the campaign, but have now suffered back-to-back defeats after Services A handed them a 4-2 home reverse.
A 51 break in a frame win from Mike Knight (O14) inspired the Spalding side, who were also boosted by victories from Pete Mullane (O28) and Charlie Mullane (R21). A 34 clearance from Nigel Brasier (O7) was the highlight for Donington, but they’ve now seen their lead cut to ten points.
That’s because second-placed Holbeach B came through a tough test against high-flying Long Sutton B 4-2.
A 24 break and frame success from Mick Ayres (O7) and Jem Merrison’s (O42) 22 clearance helped the Holbeach lads to a 15th win of the campaign.
Third-placed Bourne SC A are a further three points behind after they dispatched Consti F 5-1.
A stunning 74 break from Mark Gray (O98) in a black-ball was their highlight, while Oliver Player (O35) added a cool 24 break of his own.
In-form Donington C are now fourth after they earned a 4-2 triumph at Services E.
This one was decided by two black-ball games at the death, with Ben Wrigglesworth (O14) and Neil Favell (O14) doing the business for the away side.
Elsewhere in the top tier, Long Sutton A enjoyed one of their best nights of the season as they whitewashed Holbeach D 6-0.
All of the team performed well, but it was a 34 clearance from Sean Swinburn (O35) that took the plaudits.
In Division Two, leaders Pyramid B came through a tough test of their credentials with a 4-2 success at friendly foes Pyramid D.
A 25 break from Alfonso Palumbo (O49) and a key black-ball frame win from Keith Duly (O7) over Pete Jackson (scr) proved vital in the all-Bourne affair.
Behind them, Consti G moved into second spot with a 5-1 home win over Crowland B. They are nine points off the top thanks to frame successes from Simon Richardson (O7), Paul Johnson (R14),
John Barnes (O7) and Andy Grimwood (O7), with the latter making a super 42 break.
One of the biggest games of the week was at the foot, the two teams occupying the bottom positions squared off. It was typically tight, with basement boys Crowland A edging out Services D 4-2.
It went to the final frame, with Simon Parker (scr) beating Tanya Peel (R7) 54-22 to settle the contest.
Paul Cook (scr) and Richard Walker (scr) were the other winners for Crowland.
Another side near the bottom of the standings, Gosberton D, did their survival hopes the power of good with a 5-1 victory over a Holbeach C side that still have a decent shot at promotion.
Shane Davies (O14), Paul Whyte (R7), Jack Craft (R7) and Stuart Ruskin (R14) were the Gosberton winners.
In Division Three, Services F are 15 points clear at the top of the table after beating Consti D 5-1.
A 22 break from Oliver Turner (O28) the highlight of their 16th win from 19 games so far this season.
Second-placed Gosberton A were also on winning form as they knocked off fellow high-fliers Long Sutton C 4-2.
It went to the final frame, but James Waterfall’s 68-44 win over Mark Dennis (scr) the deciding factor.
That allowed Whittlesey C to jump into third position with a comfortable 5-1 success at rock-bottom Donington B.
Their wins came from Andy Gebbie (scr), Steve Jennings (O35), Lol Hailstone (R14) and Mick Blythe (R7).
Fifth-placed Bourne SC B are on the edge of the promotion picture after an impressive 6-0 success at Consti J.
Breaks of 31 and 22 from Lester Gaunt (O35) helped them to the maximum haul.
RESULTS
Division One: Services E 2 Donington C 4; Bourne SC A 5 Consti F 1; Pyramid A 1 Sutton B 5; Boundary B 2 Whittlesey A 4; Consti B 4 Boundary A 2; Holbeach A 4 Sutton B 2; Donington A 2 Services A 4; Sutton A 6 Holbeach D 0.
Division Two: Gosberton B 5 Pyramid C 1; Gosberton B 4 Consti H 2; Crowland A 4 Services D 2; Pyramid D 2 Pyramid B 4; Consti G 5 Crowland B 1; Consti H 2 Pyramid C 4; Gosberton D 5 Holbeach C 1.
Division Three: Services F 5 Consti D 1; Consti J 0 Bourne SC B 6; Pyramid E 1 Consti A 5; Consti E 4 Services B 2; Whittlesey B 1 Donington D 5; Donington B 1 Whittlesey C 5; Sutton C 2 Gosberton A 4.
Norey Cup: Services B 4 Services E 0; Pyramid F 5 Services A 1.
KO Cup: Consti H 5 Gosberton A 0.
