Snooker round-up: Tight at the top as five continue race for title

With two rounds of Spalding and District Snooker League fixtures remaining, no less than five teams can still win the Division One title.

Leaders Bourne SC A slipped to a 4-2 loss against Consti F as they failed to hold onto their advantage – opening the door for Services E to join them on 94 points.

The Spalding side romped to a 5-1 success over Tulips A as Vince Fitter (O14) reeled off breaks of 27 and 21, setting up a grandstand finale.

Just a point behind those two are Holbeach A, who also enjoyed a 5-1 triumph at relegation-threatened Consti B. Wins from Mick Pearl (O14), Colin Dodds (O7), Mick Ayres (O7) and Neal Jackson (O21) keep them bang in the mix.

A further three points back are fourth-placed Pyramid A, who kept the top trio honest by seeing off hosts Holbeach C 5-1. A 29 break from John Twell (O14) ended the match on a high note for the Bourne side.

The outsiders in the race for the top tier title are Tulips B, who need favours to be able to make up their nine point deficit. They at least defeated Donington C 4-2 to stay in the mix, despite Ben Wrigglesworth’s (O21) clearance.

At the foot, Boundary B bagged a vital 4-2 victory over club-mates Boundary A to keep their hopes of survival alive – and leapfrog their victims in the table.

Steve Smith’s (R7) final frame win over John Tidswell (O21) was key in the Deepings derby.

In Division Two, Donington A can clinch the title next week after moving eight points clear with a 4-2 victory over Crowland A.

Services F are the only team who can realistically deny them after they defeated third-placed Services C 5-1.

Two frame wins from Oliver Turner (O14), as well as victories from Tom Turner (07) and Jack Chilvers (O28), put the F side in pole position for second place and promotion.

Elsewhere in the second tier, Carl Parnell (O28) made a 38 break for Long Sutton B and team-mate Thomas Horspool (O35) sank a cool 32 – but they lost 5-1 at home to Gosberton A.

It’s also looking bleak at the bottom for Donington B, who are nine points adrift after a 4-2 reverse at Services A. Jon Bettinson’s (scr) final-frame win gave the Spalding side the four points.

In Division Three, Crowland C hold a four-point lead at the summit following their timely 5-1 win at Donington D.

Second-placed Consti I slipped up 4-2 at Services B after Alan Hansard (scr) recorded a black-ball win over Richard Geddes (R7) in the final frame. The victory sees Services move to within a point of Consti.

Meanwhile, Stu Davies (O7) sank a 30 break for Consti J in their 4-2 loss against Whittlesey B.