The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
It was a big week in Division One of the Spalding and District Snooker League as four of the top five were in action against each other.
The headline fixture saw leaders Pyramid defeat third placed Holbeach C 4-2 to strengthen their lead at the summit to four points.
Shaun Lee (O28) sank an early 28 break for Holbeach C, but it went to the final frame and John Twell (O7) edged out Mark Gregory (O28) to give Pyramid the points.
The other big battle saw second-placed Pyramid C lose ground in the race for the title as fifth-placed Sutton Bridge B claimed an impressive 4-2 success in Bourne.
Alfonso Palumbo (O49) starred with a 34 break in defeat for the hosts, while Stuart Atkin’s (O49) black ball win in the penultimate frame got Bridge over the line.
The other member of the top five, Bourne SC A, were unable to take advantage of their rivals facing off as they slipped up 4-2 against visitors Consti G.
Amazingly, four of the five frames went to the final black – including Mark Gray’s (O105) victory over Martin Deacon (O7), which included a trademark 69 break and 25 clearance.
Staying in the top tier, Services A defeated Donington C 4-2 in a clash with plenty of fine breaks.
Vince Fitter (O28) starred with a 36 break and a 22 clearance for Services, while team-mates Mike Knight (O21) and Martin Spencer (O21) added scores of 28 and 26 respectively.
For Donington, a 32 break from Neil Reynolds (O49) was the highlight.
Likewise, Holbeach A players reeled off the breaks as they saw off Services C 5-1.
Zac Rowlett (O14), Paul Boucher (O35), Darren Woodberry (O42) and Mick Ayres (O7) bagged scores of 32, 30, 24 and 30 respectively in an impressive showing.
It was also 5-1 as Holbeach D handed basement side Consti B another loss, with Chris Chamberlain (O7) making a cool 23 break.
In Division Two, leaders Bourne SC C lost for only the second time this season as they were handed a 4-2 reverse at Donington A.
A 32 break from Sean Jeynes (O7) was in vain as Kevin Hawes (O7) sealed the victory for Donington.
Second-placed Consti F took two points out of their lead by seeing off Holbeach F 4-2 in a tight tussle.
It went to the final frame, with Justyn Stanley (R7) pipping Susan Lefley (R14) on the black.
Likewise, third-placed Sutton Bridge A grabbed a 4-2 victory over Whittlesey C to enhance their title hopes.
Wayne Howard (O21) was the Bridge star with breaks of 28 and 24.
Elsewhere, a 22 break from Wayne Forbelett (O21) couldn’t stop Holbeach B losing 4-2 at Bourne SC B.
Boundary B enjoyed a big win too as they knocked off hosts Services E 5-1. Jim Howe (O49) was on-song for the victors with a 33 break.
In Division Three, second-placed Pyramid B flew to a big 6-0 whitewash win over hosts Whittlesey B as Lester Gaunt (O42) made a 31 break.
Fellow high-fliers Gosberton C enjoyed a 4-2 victory over Consti D thanks to frame wins from James Elliott (scr), Stuart Henderson (R7) and, crucially, Andy Shepherd (R21).
It was also 4-2 as Donington D got past Consti I thanks to a final frame success from Alan Stanley (R7).
