Snooker round-up: Champions Pyramid A make flying start as new season kicks-off

The Spalding and District Snooker League returned on Thursday night – and there were some typically impressive performances across the three divisions.

In Division One, champions Pyramid A kicked off their title defence with a 4-2 victory over Division Two winners Sutton Bridge A.

They lost the first two frames as Mick Tiller (scr) and Glen Ryan (O21), who made a 23 break, put newly-promoted Bridge on the brink of an opening night upset.

But frame victories from Norman Vaughan (O21), Steven Twell (R7) and Dean Cole (O14) turned the game on its head and gave the Bourne boys a winning start.

Spalding side Services C got up and running with a handsome 5-1 home victory over Holbeach C.

Although Mark Gregory (O35) made a 23 break for Holbeach, it was frame wins from Mark Spiller (scr), Geoff Hemsil (R21), Shane Cummins (O21) and Nigel Cherry (O7) that proved key and guided the hosts to five points.

Also kicking off with a 5-1 success were Bourne SC B, who defeated friendly foes Bourne SC C in an all-club affair.

Nick Cunningham (O14) rounded off the victory for the B team in the final frame, making a 22 break in the process.

Another side collecting five points were Bourne SC A, who got the better rivals Pyramid C 5-1.

Carl Gibson (O14) starred with a 35 break in that heavyweight clash, while Mark Gray (0105) added a 30 break and both Ian Gibson (scr) and Ian Clare (scr) bagged 23 breaks.

In Division Two, Consti G came flying out of the traps with a maximum 6-0 success over club mates Consti B.

Brothers Mark (O49) and Darren Woodberry (O42) impressed in that one, making breaks of 33 (clearance) and 21 respectively.

Pyramid, promoted as Division Three champions, got off to a strong start in their new surroundings as they saw off Consti I 5-1.

A talisman for the Bourne side last year, Lester Gaunt (O56) started as he means to go on with a 37 break as he won the first frame against Jonathan Smith (R21) on the final black.

Elsewhere, a narrow final frame win from Warren Peel (scr) helped Consti F defeat hosts Gosberton A 4-2.

In a tight tussle that had two black ball games, that Peel victory and two frame successes from Robert Adams (O14) sealed the victory for Consti F.

It was also 4-2 as Services D edged out Holbeach E despite a 25 break from Ben Harding (O28).

In Division Three, Boundary B got off to a flier as they defeated Donington B 5-1 on home baize.

Mick Walker (O35) set the standard for the hosts with a 23 break en-route to winning the opening frame of the contest.

It was a little closer as Pyramid E won 4-2 at Whittlesey B, with Steve Doughty (R21) settling the contest in the penultimate frame.

That rendered Pawel Skutela’s (R7) super 22 clearance in the final frame as nothing more than a consolation.

Gosberton B and Whittlesey A, meanwhile, also battled out a close one with two black ball frames.

It was away side Whittlesey who took the lion’s share of the points thanks to frame wins from Andy Gebbie (R21), Graeme Sawyer (O14) and Steve Jennings (O28).

It went to the final frame in the basement tier’s other clash, as Consti C just got the better of Consti J 4-2.
Kevin Sweeney (R7) grabbed the all-important final frame to seal the win, defeating Stewart Davies (O7).

Results: Division One: Services C 5 Holbeach C 1; Bourne SC B 5 Bourne SC C 1; Bourne SC A 5 Pyramid C 1; Pyramid A 4 Sutton Bridge A 2.
Division Two: Services D 4 Holbeach E 2; Pyramid B 5 Consti I 1; Gosberton A 2 Consti F 4; Consti B 0 Consti G 6.
Division Three: Whittlesey B 2 Pyramid E 4; Gosberton B 2 Whittlesey A 4; Boundary B 5 Donington B 1; Consti C 4 Consti J 2.