The title race in Spalding and District Snooker League Division One is wide open with three rounds of fixtures to go after Tulips A upset leaders – and indeed stable-mates – Tulips B last week.
Despite breaks of 37 and 22 respectively from Darren (O35) and Mark (O49) Woodberry, a final-frame success by Steve Smith (O14) handed the ‘A’ side a 4-2 victory in what was a very close clash.
The defeat, coupled with another 4-2 reverse against Services E in their game in hand last Tuesday, means that Tulips B are now just four points clear at the top.
That leaves four other teams harbouring realistic title chances.
Second-placed Holbeach A, who have played one game more, did their chances no harm by beating hosts Services A 4-2. Colin Dodd (O7) top scored with a 23 break in that one.
Behind them, Donington C – in third – had a free week, allowing Pyramid B to haul level on points with them.
That was despite the Bourne side slipping up 4-2 at Boundary B. Breaks of 43 (plus a 22 clearance) from Jason Green (O63) and 30 from Alfonso Palumbo (O48) were therefore in vain for
Pyramid, who are six points off the pace in fourth.
The other team with a chance of glory is Holbeach D, who are two points further back in fifth after seeing off Bourne SC A 4-2. Ian Woodberry (scr) was their match-winner in the final frame.
At the other end of the table, rock-bottom Services C gave their survival chances a boost by beating Gosberton B 4-2 as Vince Fitter (O21) made a cool 22 clearance.
They are now level on points with Donington A after they went down 5-1 at home to Consti F.
In Division Two, runaway leaders Long Sutton A need just three more points to be sure of the title despite losing 4-2 at home to Pyramid C.
Derek Beba (O7) made a 26 break for Sutton, but wins for Malcolm Croft (R7), Jeremy Radford (R7) and Neil McLean (scr) sealed it for the Bourne side.
The race for second place and promotion to the top tier is much closer, with just four points separating Holbeach C in second spot and Consti B in sixth position.
Those two sides clashed last week, with Holbeach roaring to a 5-1 away win.
Mark Gregory (O14) was their star performer with a 21 break in his win over Consti cue ace Mick Johnson (O35).
Long Sutton B are third after their 4-2 triumph at Pyramid D, despite a fine 30 break from the home team’s Marcus Hamilton (O35).
Fellow promotion hopefuls Consti H came a cropper against club-mates Consti I, who beat them 4-2.
A great 40 break pocketed by Doug Garfoot (O28) was the highlight of that clash.
In Division Three, Crowland A took a massive step towards the title as they defeated second-placed Long Sutton C 4-2.
Iain Smith (R7), Paul Cook (scr) and Neil Burton (O14) grabbed the vital frame wins to leave Crowland eight points clear with three matches left to play.
That leaves Sutton exposed to the three sides directly below them in the race for promotion.
Donington B, three points back in third, cranked up the pressure to the max with a 6-0 success over fellow rivals Services B.
Fred Goodacre (R21), Pete Burrell (R7), Phil Burrell (R7), Dave Banister (scr) and Mick Clark (R7) were all on-song to grab big wins for Donington.
One point back – and level with Services B – are Consti J after they also stormed to a 6-0 win of their own at Gosberton C. Nick Keeble (O28) shone for them with breaks of 25 and 22.
Elsewhere, Pete Hodgson-Kerry (O35) sank a 31 break but saw his Bourne SC B side lose 4-2 against Whittlesey B.
