Snooker: Tributes paid to veteran of the game

Ron Grogan remembered ahead of latest fixtures

Report by Mike Crook:

This week we lost one of the true legends of the Manx snooker scene with the sad passing of Ron Grogan at the age of 92. Known to all snooker players as The Rocket, he had played in the league for over 40 years since moving to the island. The current league leaders, Finch Hill Rockets are named after Ron and before play commenced at Finch Hill, team captain, John Spellman made a short speech, in the presence of Ron's daughter Yvonne, recalling memories and anecdotes of The Rocket. A minutes silence followed, as it did before all this week's matches. Although his last league fixture was in July, Ron was still practising when he could, and managed a 20 break just before Christmas. With a tremendous 19 Veterans titles, one or more Doug Kinrade wins and numerous league and Wakefield wins, Ron will be sorely missed by everyone he came into contact with and our condolences are with his family at this very sad time.

Finch Hill Rockets 3-2 DSB Wannabes

This was the Macs Builders Merchants league leaders versus the bottom team, but it was a far from easy night for the Rockets. Marek Kenny 33-63 Harry Minor, was notable for Minor suddenly switch to potting everything he went for, 'on a roll' hence his 'Subway' tee-shirt! (Other fast food outlet tee-sheets are available). His 18 break left a struggling Kenny needing two snookers on last three colours. Graham Ashton 69-61 Steve Cowin, an early 14 break on top of Cowin’s 49 start put Ashton well and truly on the back foot. However he plugged away and a yellow to pink clearance was just enough. Jonny Hogg 63-44 Dave Corris, Corris was still ahead before Hogg cleared the final red to the pink in style for a 27 break. John Spellman 58-75 Paul McKinstry, chasing 49 from the start, Spellman never quite reeled in McKinstry who had some nice pots although it was settled with an almighty fluke on the pink. Marc Bolton 71-30 David Callister, fittingly on a sad night for the home team, the final frame went the way of the Rockets, Bolton with a great long match winning blue. Rockets stay top after a very spirited fight from the Wannabes.

St Olaves 2-3 Newbys DSB 

The end of St Olaves nine match winning streak, ironically to a team that were a player short and therefore gifting them one frame. Frame one ended, Dave Kelly 50-59 Johnny Myers followed by Paul Smyth 46-75 Ste MacDonald and Darrell Thacker 51-61 Jason Campbell put matters beyond doubt, a first league win for Campbell. A fluked final pink from James Kerr denied Newbys the chance of winning all four frames played, Kerr 73-62 Simon Gardner. A great win for Newbys and just a second home loss for St Olaves.

Jacksons 4-1 Cue Zone Blinders

Another surprise result in this Cue Zone derby with eleventh placed Jacksons overcoming third placed Blinders. Martin Rigg with a 22 break picked up Blinders sole point and a first win of the season for Richard Hillier in the last frame made wrapped it up nicely for Jacksons. Scores, Mike Reddington 43-73 Martin Rigg, Lee Gale 47-29 Ivan McMaw, Kam Virk 46-10 Josh Rigg, Tony Dhadwal 68-51 Brandon Forrester, and Richard Hillier 61-34 Jez Hill.

Finch Hill Reprobates 2-3 Peel Legion

Chris Brown 43-37 Mike Crook, this ended in calamity for Crook, having potted some good colours to leave a snooker required on the pink, he clipped it towards a corner bag, potted it but as the players converged for the handshake the white napped, dead weight into a middle bag from an almost impossible angle. There was no reprieve, as soon after Brown confidently tucked away pink and black. Chris Killey 72-84 Don Humphries, a dreadful start for Humphries in chasing a 56 start. Things did improve for him when it was suggested he clean his glasses. As they reached the final brown Killey found himself tightly snookered behind the black, but had the onlookers laughing as he missed it off of one cushion only to see the cueball do another lap of the table an ultimately nestle onto the brown off of five cushions! More solid matchplay snooker saw Humphries home. Dollin Mercer 49-72 Barton Beaumont, a stuttering performance from Mercer chasing 49 from the off, three missed blacks amongst some otherwise excellent potting costing him. Beaumont on the other hand, needs to brush up on his left-handed and swerve shots which nearly cost him as Mercer achieved the 3 snookers required with four balls remaining. A relieved Beaumont eventually got over the line. Paul Tangeman 64-53 Geoff Hall, a gritty effort from the individual league leader Tangeman, five points ahead on the blue he crossed doubled it to a corner. Hall rifled in the pink but faced with a tricky safety on the black, glued to the middle of the bottom cushion, could only leave a sitter for his opponent. Rhys Moore 47-74 John Kelly, both of these players are having good seasons and have received two handicap cuts. Kelly soon caught up the 28 start with six reds left, but from thereon Moore kept with him before Kelly won out on the colours with one or two alarms along the way. Peel, for once getting on the right side of a 3-2 result.

Port St Mary Legion 2-3 Finch Hill Mob

Report by Terry Boyle:

Dave Pickergill 82-77 Steve Finnegan, a good open frame, Steve carved a good chance and looked set for a decent break but on potting his second black he fouled declaring it himself. Dave got 15 off of that and with his start went 50 ahead. Steve, potting well got back to level with three balls left, but getting a double kiss on the blue he turned away in disgust. Much to his surprise Dave didn't take on the blue. A few shots later Dave got the blue, Steve the pink, before Dave potted a good black to take the frame. Phil Joynes 68-63 Peter Kirkham, with his 49 start Phil just kept Peter quiet. Potting the last red Phil was 32 ahead, Peter then took the colours for the 27 break. Matty Astill 82-92 Peter Crellin, a good frame with both potting well. Pete had a 26 break to claw some of the start back. However, with four balls left Matty was 19 ahead but then Pete's guile came into play and with Matty going in off the brown and later off the blue, Pete secured the frame on the pink. Marc Morley 22-59 Lee Hunt, Lee played well and also had the run as Marc was never really on his game, but it must be said Marc is a much improved player this season. Terry Boyle 18-52 Steve Oates, Steve was better in every department and being totally out classed I retired with all the colours still on the table. A win that keeps the Mob very much in contention.

Malew 1-4 Finch Hill Musicians

After five losses, Musicians rediscovered their form in fine style. James Goodwin 52-59 Mike Doherty was decided on the black. Tony Pring 21-58 Vinny Dale, now seven wins in eight for Dale. Alec Oates 30-80 Vic Rigby, a win for Rigby at last, and by some margin, apparently aided by Oates going in off about ten times! At one point fourteen reds were blocking each other around a corner bag. David Quayle 74-13 Dave Hanlon was a surprisingly one sided affair and the only positive for Malew. Finally, the performance of the week, Mark Quinn 36-76 Matthew Dodd, after a quiet few weeks Dodd was back, with not only the week’s highest break of 32, (which only ended when going in off), but backed it up with a 22. Not bad for a 42 handicapper!

** 

Top league placings:

Finch Hill Rockets - 46 points,

St Olaves - 44 points

Peel Legion 42 points,

Cue Zone Blinders - 41 points

Finch Hill Mob - 41 points 

Finc Hill Musicians - 41 points

Paul Tangeman stays top of the individual league from John Kelly, both have 12 wins, Calum Gardner is next on 11. No change either in the high break league although Tom Miller on 23 points has his lead cut slightly by teammate Peter Kirkham, now up to 19 points. 

Next week’s matches are Wannabes v St Olaves, Newbys v Reprobates, Peel Legion v Jacksons, The Mob v Malew, Musicians v Hurricanes and Blinders v PSM Legion. League leaders, the Rockets have a bye.