Snooker round-up: Four-horse race as top tier trio all suffer losses

The Division One title race in Spalding and District Snooker League looks like being one of the closest in years with just five points now spanning the leading four teams.

With top trio Donington C, Tulips B and Holbeach A all losing 4-2, fourth-placed Pyramid B – who beat Holbeach – are now bang in the hunt.

Starting with the long-term leaders Donington C, they were upset at home by mid-table Boundary A.

Despite breaks of 22 from Ben Wrigglesworth (O21) and Neil Reynolds (O56), the Deepings side prevailed 4-2 with John Tidswell (O7) making a 36 break and Jim McGhee (R7) edging out Neil Favell (O21) in a crucial penultimate frame.

Donington C are just one point clear of second-placed Tulips B, who were handed a 4-2 home reverse by Donington A – who did their stablemates a big favour.

This one went the distance, with Tony Scully (O21) pipping Mark Wilkinson (O28) 68-52 in the decisive final frame.

That gave the Holbeach A versus Pyramid B clash added emphasis, but the former were unable to cash in on the top two’s defeats

Instead, the Bourne side are now very much in the title hunt thanks to wins from Jason Green (O63), Keith Duly (O21) and Alfonso Palumbo (O48).

Fifth-placed Whittlesey A will hope to throw their hat into the ring, too.

They picked up a 5-1 success at Pyramid A to move within ten points of the leaders with a game in hand.

Elsewhere in the top flight, a 39 break from Mike Knight (O21) couldn’t stop Services A going down 4-2 at home to Consti F as Bryan Turnell (R14) won a final frame clincher.

In Division Two, Long Sutton A are now 12 points clear of the rest after beating Services F 5-1.

Consti G are in no mood to throw in the towel, though. They also picked up five points by seeing off Holbeach B, despite a 23 break from Neil Harvey (O14).

Club mates Consti B are four points further back, with a game in hand, after beating Boundary C 4-2.

Mick Johnson (O35) and Martin Fear (scr) made breaks of 25 and 22 in that one.

At the other end of the table, rock-bottom Gosberton D bagged a welcome win as they dispatched Pyramid D 4-2.

Marcus Hamilton (O35) sank a 30 break for the Bourne boys, but Jack Craft’s (R14) black-ball win in the final frame proved key.

In Division Three, leaders Crowland A extended their lead with a 4-2 win at Consti D as Ian Smith (R7) made a 20 break. They are now 11 points ahead of Long Sutton C, who have three games in hand.

Meanwhile, a 36 break from Nick Savic (O49) inspired Consti A to a 5-1 win at Whittlesey B and Pyramid E won by the same score at Donington D.