Snooker round-up: Chasing pair prove their title credentials in Division One

Two of the chasing pack put in impressive performances in Division One of the Spalding and District Snooker League last week.

Both Bourne SC A and Tulips A enjoyed 5-1 wins on Thursday night to move within a solitary point of leading duo Services a and Pyramid D in the race for the league’s top prize.

After a mid-season drop in form, Bourne SC A are now very much back on-song – as highlighted by their showing at Holbeach C.

A 23 break from Oliver Player (O28) was their highlight in the 5-1 away win.

Tulips A were also victorious on the road, with Donington C their victims.

Frame wins from Simon Law (O14), Brett Maddison (O7) and Nathan Wilson (O21) saw the Spalding side home – although a 22 break from Ben Wrigglesworth (O21) at the death earned Donington a consolation frame.

Elsewhere, Jordan Philpott (R14) was on-song as Services C picked up a 5-1 success at Tulips B in an all-Spalding affair.

He made a fine 30 break in a game that saw Tulips’ duo Bren Bowman (O56) and Mark Woodberry (O63) bag breaks of 24 and 21 respectively.

There was another derby in the top tier as club-mates Pyramid F and Pyramid D squared off.

It was the F team who edged home 4-2 thanks to Dave Pearson’s (O7) final frame triumph.

In Division Two, Donington B bagged a much-needed win to ease their fears of relegation.

A 4-2 win at Gosberton A, sealed by Mick Clark’s (scr) black-ball success over Geoff Wand (R7) in the final frame, moves them out of the bottom two.

Adam Twigg’s (O21) 25 break was scant consolation for the beaten hosts.

At the other end of the table, Whittlesey C kept their promotion hopes alive by handing visitors Sutton Bridge a 5-1 reverse.

Carl Parnell’s (O28) excellent 46 break was in vain for Bridge, while Neil Burton (O14) bagged a cool 27 for the winners.

Table-toppers Consti F remain in command at the summit following their 5-1 triumph at Services B.

Frame wins came from Bryan Turnell (R14), Warren Peel (scr), Justyn Stanley (R7) and Martyn Stanley (R21).

Down in Division Three, Lester Gaunt (O42) was on inspired form as Pyramid B kept the pressure on leaders Bourne SC B with a 4-2 victory at Consti E.

Gaunt racked up breaks of 26 and 24 before finishing with a 39 clearance in the opening frame, helping keep his side second in the standings.

Another player in-form was Mick Blythe (R14) – but his 31 break couldn’t stop Whittlesey A losing 5-1 at Consti J.

Meanwhile, a 22 break from James Elliott (scr) helped guide Gosberton C to a 5-1 win over Consti I, while John Clayton’s (scr) final-frame victory helped Pyramid E see off Gosberton B by a narrow 4-2 margin.