Title hopefuls Services A cleared a significant hurdle in their bid for Spalding and District Snooker League Division One glory by beating a strong Long Sutton B side 4-2.
The Spalding outfit, who have been top for some time now, are six points clear after defeating high-flying Sutton thanks to frame victories from Charlie Mullane (R21), Pete Mullane (O21), and Jon Bettinson (scr).
A 40 break from Mullane was their highlight, while Paul Quincey (scr) managed a 21 despite losing a black-ball game.
Donington C are up to third after a 5-1 success at poor old Crowland C.
Breaks of 31 and 22 from star man Neil Reynolds (O49) helped seal the win against a side that have lost all 11 of their games so far.
Elsewhere, Tulips A got back on winning form with a narrow 4-2 victory at Donington A. Simon Law (scr), Kieran Bowman (O14) – who made a 25 break – and Bren Bowman (O63) guaranteed the lion’s share of the points by winning the first three frames.
There was also a welcome win for Services E, who dispatched Long Sutton A 5-1 to move clear of the drop zone. A break of 30 from Keith Wells (O28) proved to be in vain for beaten Sutton.
Vince Fitter (O14), Chris Dunmore (O21), Martin Spencer (O14) and Phil Spencer (O14) delivered the goods for the Spalding side.
In Division Two, Holbeach B took the scalp of leaders Bourne SC A to blow the title race wide open.
Chris Chamberlain (O7), Zac Rowlett (O28) and Neil Harvey (O14) made breaks of 22, 27 and 22 (clearance) respectively en route to winning the crucial frame for the Holbeach side.
Mark Gray (O98), as ever, shone with a 55 break and 33 clearance for the leaders.
Second-placed Pyramid C seized their chance to close the gap to just two points by beating fellow title rivals Boundary A 5-1.
Frame victories from Tony Strickson (R14), John Twell (O14), David Walker (R7) and Malcolm Croft (scr) proved key for the Bourne boys.
Level on points with them are Consti B, after they beat Consti H 4-2. Mick Johnson’s (O35) 23 break helped him win the game’s crucial final frame.
Also in the second tier, a 32 break from Lee Davies (O14) couldn’t stop Pyramid D from losing 4-2 at home to Services C.
Down in Division Three, relentless Gosberton D made it 11 wins from 12 with a 5-1 home triumph over Services D. A black-ball success from Simon Slinger (R7) clinched the success for the leaders.
The gap at the top is now five points after second-placed Whittlesey C were handed a 5-1 reverse at Boundary C. After losing the first frame, wins from Ash Haywood (R21), Steve Walker (R7), Lee Sutton (R14) and Andy Whiting (R7) inspired the Deepings outfit.
Another of the promotion hopefuls, Bourne SC B, also came a cropper as Consti C saw them off 5-1. A black-ball victory from Pat Bowman (R21) got the Spalding side off to a winning start.
At the foot, basement boys Whittlesey B earned only a third win of the season as they edged out Donington D 4-2.
