An impressive 70 clearance from cue ace Mark Gray lit up the Spalding and District Snooker League last Thursday night.
Gray (O105), an ex-snooker professional who was part of the victorious European Mosconi Cup team a few months ago, was on stellar form for his Bourne SC A side in Division One.
The clearance came against Mark Woodberry (O49) and sealed a comfortable frame win – but the Bourne boys lost out 4-2 against title-chasing Tulips B overall.
That’s because Joe Garland (scr), Ady Sibley (O7) and Darren Woodberry (O35) were all winners for the Spalding side.
They remain five points behind long-term leaders Donington C, who were also 4-2 winners against Bourne-based opposition.
A superb 51 break from Ben Wrigglesworth inspired the table toppers to glory over high-flying Pyramd B, with Graham Slater (R7) and Matt Turner (O14) their other winners.
Third-placed Holbeach A gained a point on the top two by seeing off Services E 5-1.
Clearances of 25 and 22 from Mick Pearl (O14) and Jem Merrison (O35) helped them on their way, as did a black-ball success from Mick Ayres (O7).
Whittlesey A are now fifth after dispatching new basement side Services C 4-2. Malc Bruce (O7) settled that one in the final frame.
Gosberton B hauled themselves off the foot by beating Consti F 4-2, with Adam Twigg (O14) sinking a 22 clearance.
Elsewhere in the top tier, Bren Bowman (O52) made a 27 break as Tulips A won 4-2 at Boundary A and Mike Knight’s (O21) 29 break couldn’t stop Services A losing 4-2 at home to Holbeach D.
In Division Two, leaders Long Sutton A extended their lead at the top to eight points by defeating mid-table Pyramid D 4-2 on the Bourne baize.
Breaks of 24 and 23 respectively from James Sharpe (O49) and Marcus Hamilton (O35) were in vain for the hosts.
Second-placed Long Sutton B came a cropper 4-2 at home to Consti H in a very tight tussle.
This one went all the way to the final frame, with Jason Houghton (scr) narrowly edging out Steve Godfrey (O35).
Consti B are now just a point off Sutton B in third, having won 4-2 against Holbeach B.
A 31 break from Barry Haines (R7) wasn’t enough to stop hosts Consti, with Mick Johnson (O35) sealing the success in the final frame.
Meanwhile, basement side Gosberton D slipped five points adrift with a 5-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Crowland C, who leapfrog Whittlesey C in the standings.
Boundary C were also 4-2 winners at Gosberton A, who are getting dragged into the relegation picture.
In Division Three leaders Crowland A kept things ticking over with a 4-2 triumph at Donington D.
A black-ball win from Iain Smith (R7) proved key in that one, with the leaders now nine points clear.
Services B are now second, despite going down 4-2 at Whittlesey B. Michael Foster (O7) made a 24 break in that one.
They are a point ahead of Long Sutton C, who are ten points off the summit with two games in hand.
It was a great week for the league’s bottom side Pyramid E, who romped to a 6-0 whitewash win over Consti A.
Donington B also won well, knocking off hosts Services D 5-1 to move into the top five.
Gosberton C are fourth following a 4-2 away success at Bourne SC B, who remain in the bottom three.
Also 4-2 winners were Consti J, who beat Consti D.
