Knockout Cup holders Holbeach B fell at the first hurdle in their defence of the coveted Spalding and District Snooker League crown as Bourne SC B edged them out in a classic.
Frame wins from Baz Haynes (scr) and Neil Harvey (O7) weren’t enough for the Division Two side, who found the top tier pace-setters too hot to handle.
Returning ex-pro Mark Gray (O105) was once again on-song with a super 61 break in a frame win, while Ian Gibson (scr) and Max Ayliff (O14) were also victorious.
Another of the Division One high-fliers, Holbeach C, are also through after heaping more misery on Tulips A.
Not even a 43 break from talisman Bren Bowman (O49) could help the Spalding side, who went down 3-2 to make it five defeats from as many games in all competitions.
There was something of a shock as Division Three side Services B upset Division Two table-toppers Boundary C 3-2 on their own patch.
Mick Walker (O28) made breaks of 29 and 22 for the Deepings side, but they were dumped out of the competition by Paul Doades’ (R7) final frame victory.
There was no such trouble for Division Three leaders Crowland C, who ousted divisional rivals Consti C 4-1 on the Spalding baize.
Narrow wins from Jim Howe (O35) and Jeff Roberts (R14), the latter on the final black, proved pivotal for Crowland while Joel Shears (R14) made a 24 break.
Elsewhere, there was a one-sided all-Division One affair as Services E cruised past Tulips B 5-0. Jason Rose (O14) set the tone with a 25 break in the opening frame, while Vince Fitter (O21), Chris Dunmore (O7), Phil Spencer (O7) and Martin Spencer (O14) all won well.
Also winning well were Services F, who dispatched Division Two rivals Whittlesey C 4-1 on their own patch.
Breaks of 24 and 20 respectively from Oliver Turner (O14) and Ben Peppercorn (O14) were the highlights for the Spalding side, while Andy Gebbie (R7) managed a 22 clearance for the beaten hosts.
Another side in the hat for the next round are Consti D, who came through an all-club affair with Consti A 3-2. Martin Perkins (O21) starred the D side with breaks of 22 and 21.
The score was the same in another Consti derby, with the B side seeing off the unlucky H team.
Mark German (O21) racked up a 21 break in vain for the beaten Consti H outfit.
Services E, meanwhile, enjoyed a 4-1 success at Consti E to secure safe passage through.
Adi Liqourish’s (R7) 20 break was their highlight.
It was also 4-1 as Pyramid D saw off Gosberton D, with Dennis Pearson (scr), James Sharpe (O42), Peter Jackson (R7) and Lee Davies (O14) all on winning form.
- One catch-up league game took place in Division Two, with Long Sutton C shading a close clash against club mates Sutton B 4-2.
Dan Mayfield’s (O35) 27 break was the highlight of that one.
