Snooker round-up: Promotion race heats up as top two in second tier tumble

The top two both slipped up in Spalding and District Snooker League Division Two last week as the race for promotion grew a little more interesting.

Leaders Long Sutton A were beaten 4-2 by title rivals Consti G, who are now just eight points off the top and two points off second spot.

Despite a stellar Sean Swinburn (O35) break of 32, Consti came back from 2-0 down to win the final three frames through John Barnes (O14, twice) and Paul Johnson (R14) to go fourth.

Second-placed Long Sutton B also suffered a 4-2 reverse at Pyramid C.

In a game that saw Tomas Horspool (O28) and Alan Jackson (O7) make breaks of 22 and 29 respectively, the latter beat the former in the final frame to settle it.

Third-placed Holbeach C gained on the top two after picking up a 4-2 triumph against friendly foes Holbeach B.

Damian Lewis (scr) settled the clash in the penultimate frame, making Lee Pickett’s (O21) 25 break in the final frame scant consolation for the beaten B boys.

Services F, meanwhile, missed the chance to go second as they suffered a 4-2 home loss against Consti H.

John Holdershaw’s (R14) final-frame win over Jason Chilvers (O7) settled the clash.

At the bottom, Gosberton D are now three points adrift after a 5-1 home reverse against Consti B.

That’s after Crowland C beat hosts Whittlesey C 5-1, with Jim Howe (O28) making a 22 break and 35 clearance.

Another to make a 35 break was Pyramid D’s James Sharpe (O49), as his side won 5-1 at Consti I.

In Division One, leaders Donington C narrowly extended their lead to five points after a 5-1 win at Consti F. Star man Neil Reynolds (O56) made a 27 clearance in that one.

Second-placed Tulips B were 4-2 winners on their own baize against Pyramid A.

It could have been so much better for them, with Matt Chapman (scr) and John Twell (O21) winning the last two frames on the final black for the Bourne side.

Mark Wilkinson (O28) top scored with a 25 break for Tulips, who do have a game in hand on the table-toppers.

Third-placed Pyramid B slipped to a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Boundary A.

Jim McGhee’s (R7) 25 clearance helped the Deepings side upset the odds on the Bourne baize.

Also beaten were fourth-placed Holbeach A, who were uspet by stable mates Holbeach D.

Neil Grant (R7) made a 26 break for the winners, with Ian Woodberry (scr) clinching it in the final frame.

The bottom two both lost 4-2, so it’s as you were at the foot. Basement side Gosberton B went down at Services E, with Jason Rose (O21) edging the final-frame clincher on the last black.

Second-from-bottom Services C were sunk at Donington A, with Tony Scully (O21) sealing their demise.

Elsewhere, Whittlesey A whitewashed Services A 6-0, despite Pete Mullane’s (O28) 39 break.

In Division Three, title chasers Long Sutton C picked up a 4-2 victory over Services D to keep themselves well placed in second.

Keith Wells (O28) won a final frame decider for them.

Services B are hot on their heels in third after beating visitors Donington D by the same scoreline.

That clash also went the distance, with Alan Hansard (R7) edging out Alan Stanley (R7) in the decider.

The big winners of the day were basement side Bourne SC B, who romped to a 6-0 success at Donington B. Graham Wakefield (scr), Pete Hodgson-Kerry (O35), Ray Murdoch (R7), Darren Crosby (O35) and Duane Atkinson (O14) were all winners.