Clay Cross No1 confirm form in clash with leaders

Leaders Bolehill Institute No1 lost their unbeaten record in this season's T & M Motors Snooker League (with additional sponsorship from Lowes Catering Ltd) as they fell 3-2 at Clay Cross Brotherhood No1, who had also defeated them recently in the Six Red Cup.

Tony Blant and Ian Doe fought out a gritty opener, and with Doe potting pink, he still had a chance six points behind with just the black to play and opted for a length of the table double rather than a difficult safety shot. It looked in for much of the way but just caught the lip of the pocket and Blant stepped in to dispatch the extra points to give his team an early lead.

Colin Marchington looked set to equalise as he led by 19 with brown onwards left but experienced opponent Graham Jones showed all his calmness in taking brown and blue in one visit and then pink and black in the next for 2-0.

A scrappy third frame with several fouls was eventually decided by an excellent cutback shot on pink from Ian McKay after he had taken green, brown and blue to come from arrears and thus seal the win. Ian Birks (23 break) was in excellent touch however and he took his singles and doubles legs (latterly with Ricki Slack on the pink) to earn the final two points for the visitors.

With Bolehill having the bye week next, Alfreton Palmer Morewood No2 can take over leadership in the days ahead and they helped their cause with a 4-1 defeat of Edgefold No3. Kai Hopkins (38 break, Clay Cross Brotherhood sponsored Player of the Week) and Paul Darby were successful in singles and doubles legs after Alex Fisher had put them ahead while Josh Dakin was in stupendous form for the hosts for a 70-11 salvo.

Tansley Potters defeated Edgefold No2 in a tight battle with Radford and Joe Neville putting the home team two up before Josh Lee (on the black) and Rob Muxlow pulled things level. However Neville (J) and Neil Johnson took a hard fought doubles leg to grind out a 3-2 win.

Belper Royal British Legion notched their first league victory of the season with a 4-1 defeat of Crich Comrades No2. Justin Weller top scored and then registered again pressed into service as the reserve after Steve Bullock had taken the opener while Matt Watson was on target for the Tramwaymen.

Bolehill No2 shocked Edgefold No1 3-2 for the second year running with Dale Shaw putting in a sparkling seasonal debut and Owen Williams successful in singles and doubles, teaming up with Paul Young to seal the deal. Steve Burton and Duncan Harwood emerged on the right side of closely fought contests for the Matlock cuemen.

The Classic Gas Bodyshop Billiards League saw wins for Whitworth Institute and Bolehill Institute who defeated Tansley Potters (12-9) and Mayfield Institute (11-10) respectively. Jim McCann (41), Joe Neville (36) and Ricki Slack (30) were among the breaks while Keith Gregory produced a tremendous comeback to take his game from sixty odd points adrift.