The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An impressive 70 clearance from cue ace Mark Gray lit up the Spalding and District Snooker League last Thursday night.
Gray (O105), an ex-snooker professional who was part of the victorious European Mosconi Cup team a few months ago, was on stellar form for his Bourne SC A side in Division One.
The clearance came against Mark Woodberry (O49) and sealed a comfortable frame win – but the Bourne boys lost out 4-2 against title-chasing Tulips B overall.
That’s because Joe Garland (scr), Ady Sibley (O7) and Darren Woodberry (O35) were all winners for the Spalding side.
They remain five points behind long-term leaders Donington C, who were also 4-2 winners against Bourne-based opposition.
A superb 51 break from Ben Wrigglesworth inspired the table toppers to glory over high-flying Pyramd B, with Graham Slater (R7) and Matt Turner (O14) their other winners.
Third-placed Holbeach A gained a point on the top two by seeing off Services E 5-1.
Clearances of 25 and 22 from Mick Pearl (O14) and Jem Merrison (O35) helped them on their way, as did a black-ball success from Mick Ayres (O7).
Whittlesey A are now fifth after dispatching new basement side Services C 4-2. Malc Bruce (O7) settled that one in the final frame.
Gosberton B hauled themselves off the foot by beating Consti F 4-2, with Adam Twigg (O14) sinking a 22 clearance.
Elsewhere in the top tier, Bren Bowman (O52) made a 27 break as Tulips A won 4-2 at Boundary A and Mike Knight’s (O21) 29 break couldn’t stop Services A losing 4-2 at home to Holbeach D.
In Division Two, leaders Long Sutton A extended their lead at the top to eight points by defeating mid-table Pyramid D 4-2 on the Bourne baize.
Breaks of 24 and 23 respectively from James Sharpe (O49) and Marcus Hamilton (O35) were in vain for the hosts.
Second-placed Long Sutton B came a cropper 4-2 at home to Consti H in a very tight tussle.
This one went all the way to the final frame, with Jason Houghton (scr) narrowly edging out Steve Godfrey (O35).
Consti B are now just a point off Sutton B in third, having won 4-2 against Holbeach B.
A 31 break from Barry Haines (R7) wasn’t enough to stop hosts Consti, with Mick Johnson (O35) sealing the success in the final frame.
Meanwhile, basement side Gosberton D slipped five points adrift with a 5-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Crowland C, who leapfrog Whittlesey C in the standings.
Boundary C were also 4-2 winners at Gosberton A, who are getting dragged into the relegation picture.
In Division Three leaders Crowland A kept things ticking over with a 4-2 triumph at Donington D.
A black-ball win from Iain Smith (R7) proved key in that one, with the leaders now nine points clear.
Services B are now second, despite going down 4-2 at Whittlesey B. Michael Foster (O7) made a 24 break in that one.
They are a point ahead of Long Sutton C, who are ten points off the summit with two games in hand.
It was a great week for the league’s bottom side Pyramid E, who romped to a 6-0 whitewash win over Consti A.
Donington B also won well, knocking off hosts Services D 5-1 to move into the top five.
Gosberton C are fourth following a 4-2 away success at Bourne SC B, who remain in the bottom three.
Also 4-2 winners were Consti J, who beat Consti D.
