Snooker leaders Donington build up a nice cushion as halfway draws near

There was nothing unlucky about Donington A’s 13th win of the season.

The 6-0 hiding on Boundary B’s own baize stretched Donington’s lead at the top of Division One in Spalding and District Snooker League to nine points.

They took full advantage of Holbeach A’s week without a fixture to increase the gap to the chasing pack by two points.

Tonight Donington host lowly Tulips B as the season nears the halfway point.

But the Spalding side will be buoyed after also winning 6-0 last week.

Joe Garland (scr) had a 22 break and brothers Mark and Darren Woodberry each made 22-point clearances as Long Sutton A were sent packing.

Meanwhile, Ben Wriggles-worth’s black-ball win set Donington C on the way to a 4-2 home success over Boundary A. Graham Slater and Neil Reynolds (43 break) grabbed the other wins.

Whittlesey A edged a tight match against fellow strugglers Consti B.

Wins for John Christian (on the black) and Steve Spencer put the bottom-placed Spalding side in the driving seat at 2-0, but John Forsythe and Gary Thewliss set up Malcolm Bruce to snatch four points for Whittlesey with the 77-54 final-game victory over Mick Johnson.

Consti F could not have made their 4-2 win over Pyramid A any tighter. Bryan Turnell sunk the black ball to pip John Twell 65-60.

Martyn Stanley and Warren Peel got the other wins for the Spalding hosts.

Long Sutton B used a rearranged game at Boundary A to ease away from the wrong end of the table. A 61 break by Steven Godfrey (O28) was the highlight of the 4-2 win.

It’s tight at the top of Division Two, but leaders Crowland C did all that was asked of them with a 6-0 victory. Mid-table Pyramid C were on the receiving end, Tony Strickson’s 12-point defeat to

Paul Spiller in the opener being as close as they got to grabbing a game.

Meanwhile, Pyramid D put Crowland A to the sword by the same margin.

James Sharpe cleared the table with a 39 break in beating Richard Walker. Pete Grose (24 break), Lee Davies, Marcus Hamilton and Pete Jackson completed the clean sweep.

Meanwhile, R7 handicapper Martin Drury set the season’s best break for a receive player.

His superb 44 came in Consti G’s 4-2 win over Holbeach B and helped him to a 72-26 success against Ben Harding.

Simon Richardson had a big win in the opening game and Nigel West’s defeat of Neil Harvey in the final frame made it a good night for the Spalding side.

Division Three leaders Services F added another five points to their tally. Paul Kent prevented a whitewash defeat for Consti A.

Also taking home five points from Consti Club was Long Sutton C. Dan Mayfield (O21) was the only away player to miss out on a win, J team scratch player Les Andrews getting home 80-56.

Mark Dennis and David Lefley made it a resounding result with wins on the black ball.

In fact, it was not a good night for the Broad Street club’s bottom-tier sides. Consti E were also beaten.

Donington B left with a 4-2 success, thanks to wins for Phil Burrell, Darren Templeman and – in the final game – Mick Clark.

Second-placed Gosberton A have the chance to close the gap at the top tonight. They travel to Bourne SC B while Services F are without a match.

Results

Division One: Long Sutton B 2 Tulips A 4; Whittlesey A 4 Consti B 2; Donington C 4 Boundary A 2; Services A 4 Holbeach D 2; Tulips B 6 Long Sutton A 0; Bourne SC A 4 Services E 2; Boundary A 2 Long Sutton B 4; Consti F 4 Pyramid A 2; Boundary B 0 Donington A 6.

Division Two: Gosberton D 5 Crowland B 1; Services D 1 Gosberton B 5; Pyramid D 6 Crowland A 0; Consti G 4 Holbeach B 2; Pyramid B 5 Consti H 1; Crowland C 6 Pyramid C 0.

Division Three: Pyramid E 2 Whittlesey B 4; Consti E 2 Donington B 4; Consti A 1 Services F 5; Consti J 1 Long Sutton C 5.