Title hopefuls Donington C closed the gap on Spalding and District Snooker League Division One leaders Tulips B to just six points with an impressive 5-1 win at Holbeach C last Thursday night.
Frame victories from Lee Marshall (R7), Neil Reynolds (O49), Matt Turner (R7) and Ben Wrigglesworth (scr) steered the second-placed side to the points, with only Paul Ashton’s (R7) black-ball win at the death denying them a whitewash win.
Third-placed Services A also picked up a 5-1 success, at Whittlesey A, to keep themselves in the hunt.
A 22 break from Paul Quincey (scr) was the highlight for the Spalding side, who are ten points behind the leaders.
On what was a good night for the leading sides, Holbeach D also picked up a 4-2 triumph over Consti F to keep themselves fourth.
Black-ball frame wins from Neil Crane (R14) and Ashley Bunn (O7) proved key in a very tight tussle.
At the other end of the table, rock-bottom Crowland C are beginning to look a little isolated after their 4-2 defeat at Pyramid A.
A 33 break from Norman Vaughan (O14) helped hand the basement boys a 17th defeat of the campaign – and they are now seven points adrift of the rest.
Elsewhere in the top tier, a 22 clearance from Nick Savic (O35) fired Tulips A to a fine 5-1 victory over Pyramid B.
Jason Green (O56) did hit back with 29 and 25 breaks as he beat Bren Bowman (O63), but it was an off day for the Bourne boys.
In Division Two, there was a change in the guard at the summit as Consti B regained top spot.
They saw off Services B 5-1, with Mick Johnson (O35) making a 22 break, to take advantage of a 5-1 defeat for title rivals Bourne SC A against Gosberton B.
Adam Twigg (O7) was Gosberton’s star man with a 24 break, while only a black-ball triumph from Bourne’s Graham Wakefield (scr) denied the away side all six points.
In the big game at the bottom, Consti H picked up a 4-2 win over fellow strugglers Services C to give themselves a bit of breathing space above those sides in the relegation places.
Kev Fitter (O7) and Seb Grimston (O21) both made 22 breaks in the clash, but it was a victory from Doug Garfoot (O14) at the death that sealed the success for Consti.
That win moves Consti H level with Crowland A, after they were handed a 5-1 reverse by now fifth-placed Holbeach B.
Neil Harvey (O14) pocketed a cool 28 break for the winners, who still harbour realistic hopes of pinching a promotion place.
Meanwhile, Services D stay top of Division Three following a 4-2 victory at mid-table Consti J.
Wigs Harrison (R7), Mike Small (R14) and Mark Howlett (O7) got the job done for the table-toppers in the first three frames.
Gosberton D did gain a point on them with a 5-1 home triumph over Consti C, thanks to frame victories from Marcus Pell (O21), Paul Whyte (scr), Nigel Goodwin (R21) and Simon Slinger (R7).
That moves Gosberton to within three points of the leaders – and they do boast a game in hand.
A further two points back are Bourne SC B, who handed hosts Gosberton C a 5-1 home reverse.
Black-ball wins from Frank Leigh (O14) and Pete Hodgson Kerry (O14) helped steer the visitors to victory.
Also still hoping to make a late bid for promotion are Boundary C, who dispatched Donington D 4-2 to remain in fourth position.
Andy Whiting (R7) delivered the killer blow for the Deepings side in the final frame of a close clash.
At the foot, Consti A picked up a welcome 4-2 win at high-flying Whittlesey C to climb out of the bottom three.
Graham Ridley (R7) sealed that success at the death.
RESULTS
Division One: Tulips A 5 Pyramid B 1; Services E 1 Boundary B 5; Holbeach D 4 Consti F 2; Pyramid A 4 Crowland C 2; Whittlesey A 1 Services A 5; Long Sutton B 4 Holbeach A 2; Holbeach C 1 Donington C 5.
Division Two: Crowland A 1 Holbeach B 5; Consti B 5 Services B 1; Services C 2 Consti H 4; Bourne SC A 1 Gosberton B 5; Consti G 4 Pyramid C 2.
Division Three: Consti J 2 Services D 4; Consti A 4 Consti E 2; Whittlesey C 2 Consti A 4; Gosberton D 5 Consti C 1; Boundary C 4 Donington D 2; Gosberton C 1 Bourne SC B 5; Donington B 4 Sutton C 2.
Norey Cup: Services B 1 Pyramid F 5.
