One of the tightest games in the recent history of the Spalding and District Snooker League was played out last week between two teams from the Spalding Services Club.
The fixture was in Division Two, with Services B beating friendly foes Services E 4-2 in a clash that saw all five frames decided on the final black of the game – including two that required the black ball to be re-spotted.
George Neary-Phillips (O21) defeated Jason Rose (O28) 68-61 in frame one as he potted the re-spotted black, before Paul Doades (R7) levelled matters with a 61-51 success over Paul Spicer (O7).
Joel Shears (R14) then held off the challenge of Fred Cummings (scr) to put the E side ahead with two frames to play but Tim Nash (O28) shaded another battle that went to a re-spotted black against Ian Smith (scr) 78-71, setting the stage for Alan Hansard (scr) to pip Russ Morse (scr) 55-47 in the final frame to win it for Services B.
At the top of the second tier, Sutton Bridge A are two points clear after beating Donington A 4-2. Shane Balding (O49), who made breaks of 24 and 22, settled that one in the final frame.
At the other end of the table, resurgent basement side Holbeach F grabbed another win as they saw off Donington B 4-2.
Alex Bourne’s (O14) final frame win sealed it and moves them just one point behind the two teams above.
Up in Division One, leaders Pyramid A suffered only their third loss of the season so far as lowly Consti B pulled off a shock 5-1 success.
John Keeton (O7), Mick Johnson (O28), John Christian (R7) and Steve Spencer (R21) all won to boost Consti’s survival bid.
However, second-placed Holbeach C were unable to take advantage as they too lost 5-1 at a Consti G side who are also battling the drop.
Breaks of 22 and 21 from Kieran Richards-Witham (O21) inspired the win for the hosts.
Fourth-placed Services A are now on the edge of the title picture after they picked up a 5-1 triumph at Pyramid D. The in-form Vince Fitter (O35) starred in that one with a fine 49 break.
A 37 break from Mat Smith (O35) also guided Sutton Bridge B to a 4-2 success at Donington C.
But those breaks were eclipsed by the league’s most heavily handicapped player, as Mark Gray (O105) made a stunning 87 break in Bourne SC A’s 4-2 victory at Holbeach A.
Meanwhile, Consti I held on to their two-point lead at the top of Division Three with a 4-2 victory at Gosberton C.
Richard Geddes (R14) settled that one in the last frame, while James Elliott (O7) made a 24 break for the hosts.
Second-placed Pyramid B saw off Consti C 4-2 in another cracking contest that featured four frames going to the final black.
Richard Clark’s (O7) 21 break was the highlight there.
It was also close as Consti A prevailed 4-2 at Whittlesey B, with Nigel Steadman (R7) settling the clash in his side’s favour with a black ball win in the final frame.
Two sides also secured 5-1 victories, with Pyramid E and Services D getting the better of Consti A and Whittlesey A respectively.
