The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Cue ace Jason Green starred as his Pyramid B side laid down a big marker in Spalding and District Snooker League on Thursday night.
The Bourne boys, who topped the second tier table at Christmas, beat nearest rivals Services C 5-1 in their first game of 2016 to move nine points clear of them in the race for the title.
Talisman Green (O56) led the way with a 68 break that was the best offering from any player last week.
Alfonso Palumbo (O42), Dave Pearson (O7) and David Taylor-Martin (R14) were the other frame winners for Pyramid, who were also boosted by Crowland C’s 5-1 loss to Consti H.
Breaks of 21 and 20 respectively from Doug Garfoot (O21) and John Houldershaw (R7) saw Consti on their way.
Second place now belongs to Consti I, who are eight points behind Pyramid after a convincing 5-1 win at Gosberton B.
Meanwhile, a 23 break from Nigel West (scr) inspired Consti G to a flawless 6-0 success over Gosberton D.
Up in Division One, Donington A extended their lead to 13 points with a 5-1 victory at Consti F.
Nigel Brasier (scr) and Tony Scully (O21) made breaks of 22 and 30 respectively in frame wins for the pace-setters, while Pat Taylor (R21) and Jim Thompson (O7) completed the job.
Behind them, second-placed Holbeach A battled to a 4-2 success at Tulips B.
In an otherwise close contest, Mark Hubbard’s (O14) rampant 61-8 triumph over Mark Wilkinson (O21) at the death settled it.
They remain four points ahead of Bourne SC A in third after they notched a 4-2 win of their own against Boundary B. A 65 break from star man Mark Gray (O105) was the highlight, but Ian Clare’s (O14) final frame win was decisive.
However, Tulips A lost ground on the top trio after succumbing to a 5-1 defeat at Holbeach D. Not even breaks of 35 and 29 from sole winner Bren Bowman (O56) were enough for the Spalding side.
Elsewhere in the top tier, two players shone with impressive breaks.
Sean Swinburn (O42) starred with a super 65 break as his Long Sutton side shaded a close clash with friendly foes Sutton B 4-2.
The talented Neil Reynolds (O49) completed the big scores with a cool 50 break, but his Donington C team lost 4-2 at home to Consti B.
In Division Three, pace-setters Services F kicked off 2016 with a rare loss.
The long-term leaders were beaten 4-2 at promotion hopefuls Whittlesey C, with Lol Hailstone (R14) knocking off Pete Holland in the final frame to settle the contest.
Despite suffering just their third loss in 16 games, the Spalding side remain seven points clear at the summit following Gosberton A’s 4-2 defeat against Consti D.
The second-placed side failed to capitalise on Services’ slip-up thanks to frame wins from John Cooper (R14), Steve Moore (R14) and Martin Perkins (O21).
Those results leave Long Sutton C in a strong position. They are now ten points off second spot with a game in hand after their free week.
At the other end of the table, basement boys Donington B were edged out 4-2 at Consti A. This one went the distance, with Nigel Steadman (R14) piping Mick Clark (R7) in the decider.
RESULTS
Division One: Consti F 1 Donington A 5; Tulips B 2 Holbeach A 4; Boundary B 2 Bourne SC A 4; Holbeach D 5 Tulips A 1; Whittlesey A 5 Services C 1; Sutton B 2 Sutton A 4; Donington C 2 Consti B 4.
Division Two: Pyramid B 5 Services C 1; Gosberton B 1 Consti I 5; Crowland C 1 Consti H 5; Pyramid D 1 Boundary C 5; Consti G 6 Gosberton D 0; Crowland B 5 Pyramid C 1.
Division Three: Whittlesey C 4 Services F 2; Gosberton A 2 Consti D 4; Consti A 4 Donington B 2; Consti E 2 Gosberton C 4; Consti J 4 Gosberton C 2; Services B 4 Whittlesey B 2.
