All eyes were on Division Two on the final night of the Spalding and District Snooker League season – and it was Services C who held their nerve to clinch the title by three points.
The Spalding side beat Consti G 4-2 to secure the four points they needed to be sure of the title, with Geoff Hemsil (R21), Kev Fitter (O14) and Nigel Cherry (O21) grabbing the vital frame wins.
Services’ 21st win of the campaign ensured that Pyramid B’s 4-2 victory over Crowland A wasn’t enough for top spot – but the Bourne side did at least seal promotion back to the top tier.
A 28 break from Jason Green (O63) in a black-ball win over Paul Cook (scr) proved key for Pyramid.
The final promotion spot went to Gosberton B in third, as they beat Pyramid C 4-2.
Shaun Harvey’s (O21) final-frame win over Alan Jackson (scr) got the job done – and meant that Boundary C missed out in fourth following their 4-2 defeat at Crowland B.
At the foot, Services D couldn’t escape the drop zone despite a 4-2 win at Consti I. They are joined in the bottom three by the above-mentioned Crowland B, with Consti H escaping despite a 5-1 reverse against Holbeach C.
With the top two already decided in Division One, it was all about the race for survival.
It was always going to be two from Boundary A, Consti B and Long Sutton B joining already-relegated Sutton A in the drop zone.
Two of that trio faced each other as Sutton B visited Consti B, but both ended up in the bottom three. Consti B won 4-2 thanks to a final frame win from John Keeton (O7), but it wasn’t enough.
That scoreline ensured Boundary A were safe, despite a 5-1 home defeat against Holbeach D.
The best break in the top flight was a fine 42 from Vince Fitter (O28) as Services E beat Tulips B 4-2 to deny them third place.
Down in Division Three, Whittlesey C just did enough to take second behind champions Services F after losing 5-1 at Consti D.
John Cooper (R21) made a 23 break in that one.
The third and final promotion position went to Gosberton A, who prevailed 4-2 at Consti C. They finished one point off second spot.
Donington B took the wooden spoon after going down 5-1 to Services B.
RESULTS
Division One: Holbeach A 2 Boudary B 4; Tulips A 4 Services A 2; Services E 4 Tulips B 2; Boundary A 1 Holbeach D 5; Consti B 4 Sutton B 2; Pyramid A 4 Donington C 2; Donington A 1 Whittlesey A 5.
Division Two: Consti G 2 Consti H 4; Crowland A 2 Pyramid B 4; Gosberton D 2 Pyramid D 4; Pyramid C 2 Gosberton B 4; Crowland B 4 Boundary C 2; Consti I 2 Services D 4; Services C 4 Consti G 2; Consti H 1 Holbeach C 5; Services C 4 Consti G 2.
Division Three: Bourne SC B 2 Gosberton C 4; Services F 5 Donington D 1; Bourne SC B 4 Pyramid E 2; Consti C 2 Gosberton A 4; Gosberton C 2 Consti J 5; Consti D 5 Whittlesey C 1; Donington B 1 Services B 5.
