The top two in Spalding and District Snooker League’s top flight clashed this week – and it was leaders Holbeach A who cemented their position at the top.
The table-toppers moved 11 points clear of rivals Services E by seeing them off 4-2 on their own baize, with Mick Ayres (O7) getting the all-important final-frame win over Pete Asher (O28).
That result allowed Donington C to move within a point of Services in third after they saw off Donington A 5-1.
Neil Reynolds (O45) starred with a 31 break for the C team, who still have an outside chance of taking the top spot with four weeks left.
A day prior, Donington also beat Holbeach C 4-2 in a rearranged clash despite Mark Gregory’s (O21) 52 break.
At the other end of the table, rock-bottom Services F are four points adrift after a 5-1 beating at Pyramid B.
Breaks of 34 and 27 from Alfonso Palumbo (O49) and Jason Green (O63) inspired the Bourne side, who are now in the top five.
More strong breaks followed in Tulips A’s 4-2 win over Pyramid A, with Bren Bowman (O56) reeling off a 32 break and Norman Vaughan (O7) making 31.
In Division Two, Boundary A remain in command at the summit following their 5-1 home victory over Holbeach B. Frame wins from Pete King (scr), Andy Mowforth (O7),
Barry Malthouse (R14) and Stewart Lilley (scr) saw them go seven points clear with a game in hand.
The best break at this level came from Mike Knight (O21), who impressed with a fine 46 as Services A saw off Consti G 5-1.
Team-mate Pete Mullane (R14) also chipped in with a 34 break, while Consti’s Wayne Fobelets (O28) chipped in with a 23 break of his own.
Also on winning form were Boundary C, who edged past Long Sutton B 4-2.
Carl Parnell’s (O28) 32 break was in vain for Sutton, who also had Thomas Horspool (O35) making scores of 33 and 22.
It was 4-2 as Gosberton A beat Crowland B, too, with black-ball victories from Peter Waterfall (R14) and Jamie Mumby (scr) proving key.
In Division Three, just three points covers the top three in an intriguing title race.
Second-placed Donington B missed the chance to leapfrog leaders Holbeach E after slipping up 4-2 against friendly foes Donington D.
Alan Stanley’s (R7) final frame win over Gav Lewis (scr) gave the D side the lion’s share of the spoils.
Third-placed Long Sutton C also slipped up as they were defeated 4-2 at home by Gosberton C.
Alex Bourne (O7) made a fine 22 clearance for Sutton, but Stuart Tamplen’s (R7) beat him in the decisive final frame.
Elsewhere, Mark Howlett’s (O7) 22 break helped Services D beat Consti J 5-1.
