Rockets lose out to last season's biggest challengers
Report by Mike Crook:
A defeat for the champions and early season rustiness was evident as this season’s Mann Crane Hire Snooker League opened with just four 20-plus breaks, Peter Kirkham’s somewhat humble 23 being the best.
This was a re-run of last season’s final week title decider, where despite losing, Rockets took the frame required to finish Blinders hopes of a hat-trick of championships. The result this time around was exactly the same, an away win for Blinders. Marc Bolton started well in the finale but Scott Campion hit 19 to edge away a take frame and match. Frame scores: Rodger Clague 56-33 Harry Ellis, Leon Martin 48-60 Conor Mahon, Paddy Delaney 46-61 David Hill, Chenji Ratnavel 54-37 Shaun Roberts and Marc Bolton 24-53 Scott Campion.
James Goodwin 58-35 Paul Crane - Jimmy was always in front thanks to his start. Both players potted some good reds without colours and after Paul sank the yellow and green there were only eight points between them. Jimmy potted the brown and blue shortly followed by the pink for frame. Eric Drinkwater 53-73 Mark Davenport - Eric was 23 points ahead when he made a schoolboy error. Mark snookered Eric on the last red, Eric tried to come off the baulk cushion to hit the red, but he kept going past the object ball. Five times he tried this giving away 20 points. Mark was 19 points ahead at the blue. Eric potted the blue. Still needing a snooker, he missed the pink altogether! Mark Quinn 54-22 Gary Williams - Mark with his greater experience was my favourite to win this and so it proved, but not without some help from Gary who was playing his first league match. Tony Cubbon 44-53 Chris Reynolds - Chris had a good lead when he potted the yellow. Tony sank the green, brown and blue, this was followed by a corner pocket doubled pink meaning a black ball finish. Tony had a good chance of a pot, somehow he managed to go in-off, game over. Alec Oates 27-51 Andy Moore - Although Oates played badly, his opponent was better than a 49 handicapper and deserved this win.
After a year off the table, Cue Ballers (previously Jacksons) made an instant impact on night one against also newly-formed Strollers. Alex Sinclair 56-38 Ian Brookfield - Alex got straight down to business with a 22 break to negate Ian’s start. Some good single potting from both but Alex with the final three colours sealed a pleasing victory. Matt Monks 44-58 Max Barnes - Neither of these debutants held back, Matt potted some brilliant longs balls whilst Max “Doubles” Barnes completed a series of doubles around the table. A refreshing approach to watch with little safety play, Max just did enough to claim his first league win. Lee Gale 85-48 Garey Ellison - Lee, conceding a 35 start wasted little time clawing it back, he managed three teen breaks but left 22 easy points on the table from missed colours. Garey didn’t really get into it and the handshake came when Lee missed the brown ball. Kam Virk 51-35 Harry Boyle - Trade mark long pots from Kam and some excellent individual potting from Harry, who as the previous two Stroller’s players was making his league debut. A good watch, nip and tuck all the way to the final four colours. Harry looked to have taken the advantage when he potted the brown, but left the blue on and Kam sealed the victory with a nice three ball clearance. Richard Hillier 76-74 Mike Boyle - Mike having to give a 49 start had work to do as Richard was potting well, extending his lead to 64-10. Mike’s relentless potting and excellent safety play saw him claw back several points from fouls and he was within touching distance going into the final four balls. Richard left the brown on and Mike played a lovely rest shot, calmly potted blue and pink but to Richard’s good fortune he left the black over the pocket, a tap in for the Cue Ballers and a win 4-1 on the night.
Craig Tinnion 67-37 Rob Dolby - Steady play from Craig, he got the start back but on the colours Rob could still win, however a few good pots sealed it for Craig. Phil Joynes 70-62 Ollie Pickford - Good safety from both, Ollie needing the blue to win was unfortunate to go in-off, Phil took blue and pink and eventually the black to steal. Andrew Hutchison 61-39 Mark Corlett - Andy pulled ahead with the only break on the night of 21. Mark stayed with it and when Andy went in-off the blue Mark looked set to win. However, trying for good position on the pink the blue stayed over the pocket and Andy gratefully took it with pink for the win. Dave Pickersgill 10-89 Luca McDermott - These two played last season when Luca had an 84 handicap. A similar outcome here where Luca has improved every facet of his game and looked more like a seven handicapper than 70 and has a bright future in the game. Dave tried hard but it was an impossible task. Terry Boyle 50-74 Ben Peach - Ben took yellow and green and needing the remaining balls I fouled the brown, end of game, no complaints as Ben was the better player. A good result for PSM as I’m sure the Miscues will cause a few shocks this season.
St Olave's 3-2 Finch Hill Mob
Paul Smyth 26-58 Peter Kirkham - Solid potting from both and 23 from Kirkham mid-frame gave him a big advantage. Smyth failed to make a colour off the penultimate red and it was snookers required. Dave Kelly 29-56 William Hogg - Kelly was in billiards mode, too many in-offs. Hogg junior sealed the deal with an excellent full length brown down the cushion. Geoff Hall 50-16 Jonny Hogg - Positional play has never been Hall’s forte, but on a going night, as this was, it doesn’t matter. Whilst Hogg was short of colours, Hall delivered a string of impressive pots from all angles. Anthony Bayle 102-3 Steve Finnegan - Starting 42 up, Bayle went for a very speculative plant which resulted in another 17 to his tally. He could do no wrong, everything dropping his way, Finn could only watch in disbelief. Dan Crawley 58-46 Lee Hunt - Despite a very clunky sounding cue, Hunt made a 20 break to build a 36 point lead in the decider. A couple of teen breaks from Crawley brought it level, then he got the best of the colours to complete a fine comeback for himself and the home team when potting the pink.
A much-changed Hurricanes squad this time around, Nialls Wilson being their only starter from last season. Brandon Forrester is a transfer from the Blinders and the remainder made successful league debuts. Frame scores: Rob Cowin 93-61 Steve Cowin, Nialls Wilson 58-40 Dave Corris, Brandon Forrester 57-88 David Callister, Paul Westhead 70-46 Michael Creer and Danny Beattie 74-62 Paul McKinstry.
Just the one team representing the Musicians this season, the Masters were a man short due to late work commitments by they still managed to claim the win. Masters’ Ross Samuels lost on his league debut but Tony Dhadwal, back off a break from league snooker held off a fast start from Matt Dodd to claim a crucial point. Frame scores: Jez Hill 65-27 Dave Hanlon, Ross Samuels 27-46 Vic Rigby, Tony Dhadwal 52-41 Matthew Dodd and Les Briggs 68-24 Paul Tangeman.
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