Snooker: Blinders still lead the way with two to go

But several sides remain in contention in final weeks

Report by Mike Crook:

Realistically just fours teams are now contending the Mac’s Builders Merchants snooker league title after Blinders effectively ended Peel Legion’s dreams. They hold a 4 point lead over Jacksons with the Rockets and St Olaves a further point back and two rounds of matches remaining. 

Peel Legion 1-4 Cue Zone Blinders

Played at their temporary home venue of St Olave’s, Peel Legion had a night to forget, though on another night may have picked up the first three frames. Tom Randall 60-31 David Hill - This was to be the only bright spot for Peel as Randall started 14 up and held on nicely. Barton Beaumont 49-60 Conor Mahon - Beaumont did very well to hold Mahon at bay. However, the latter came back strong on the colours but needed an almighty fluke on the black, he missed a long pot to a corner by a mile and it went into a pocket the opposite end of table! Geoff Hall 29-45 Nick Stephens - Nothing in this long drawn out nail-biter, both had multiple chances to win, full of flukes and near misses but Stephens nailed a long pink for frame. John Kelly 13-92 Brandon Forrester - Kelly was under the weather but he’d have had to be at his best to compete with Forrester, he looked very good in compiling a 32 break and other smaller ones. Mike Crook 20-64 Scott Campion - Something of a horror show from Crook, Campion could have won playing left-handed had he chosen to do so. 

DSB Wannabes 2-3 Finch Hill Rockets

Report by Graham Ashton:

The Rockets came from 2-0 down to keep their chances alive. David Callister 61-52 Marek Kenny - Marek struggled for consistency throughout and required the last three colours. He took blue and pink but rattled the black in the middle, leaving a cut for Dave for the win. Steve Cowin 106-96 Sean Murphy - Chasing 77 and reds tight on the cushion making scoring difficult, plus pink and black on the baulk cushion, Sean faced a mighty task. He was closing in but got a big kick on an easy pink which failed to drop. A good pink by Steve sealed the win. Dave Corris 15-57 Graham Ashton - Somewhat one-sided as Graham potted consistently well from the start with several teen breaks. Dave with two unforeseen in-offs to add to his misery conceded early. James Teare 68-100 Jonny Hogg - A 27 break from Jonny as James became his tenth victim on the bounce, some performance. Paul McKinstry 63-70 Doug Kinrade - Another black ball frame which crucially went the Rockets way. 

Cue Zone Masters 2-3 St Olaves

A vital last frame win too for St Olave’s who join the Rockets in 3rd place. Frame scores: Brendan Clague 61-90 Paul Smyth, Tommy Clague 42-54 Dave Kelly, Les Briggs 59-38 Mike Heathcote, Ivan McMaw (25) 102-47 James Kerr and Martin Rigg 39-76 Dan Crawley (22). 

Jacksons 4-1 Finch Hill Musicians B

Jacksons got the win they needed to stay second ahead of next week’s massive showdown away at joint-third Rockets whilst Blinders have their bye. Only the wily Vic Rigby saved the Finch Hill outfit from the whitewash. Dave Welsh hit a great 27 break to retain his share of the individual league. Scores: Alex Sinclair 74-48 Pat Maher, Dave Welsh 73-40 Martin Rigby, Dave Notman 19-57 Vic Rigby, Kam Virk 55-23 Matt Dodd and Lee Gale 74-49 Noel McConville.

Finch Hill Mob 3-2 Port St Mary Legion

Peter Kirkham restricted Matty Astall to a single red in frame one and Dave Pickersgill managed only 14 from his cue on a night where PSM slightly underperformed. Scores: Peter Kirkham (38) 104-78 Matty Astall, Alan Heath 68-28 Marc Morley, Lee Hunt 30-63 Phil Joynes, Steve Finnegan 73-63 Dave Pickersgill and Lee Butterworth 17-56 Terry Boyle (21). 

Finch Hill Musicians 2-3 The Hurricanes

Report by John Kennish: