Presentation Night - 25th May 2012
Former World champ caps fine end to season
Former World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty capped a fine end to the Window Outlet Cockermouth & District Snooker League 11/12 season with a superbly entertaining display in front of a packed Workington WMC crowd.
Over the last few seasons’ the league has seen the presentation night develop but the ‘Darlin of Dublin’ certainly added some real class.
Doherty played eight thoroughly entertaining frames making countless 50 plus breaks including two superb centuries in a masterly display.
The 1997 World Champion had the Station Road Club crowd in stitches with trick shot routine later in the evening, even keeping some of the more vociferous members of the audience at bay with his witty banter.
Throughout the evening the BBC pundit endeared himself to the punters with his relaxed approach, presenting the season’s trophies and taking time to talk to everyone once the evening had concluded.
The night was not only about snooker though, as the evening also raised much needed funds for two fantastic charities. The Great North Air Ambulance has featured strongly in the leagues fund raising exploits over the past couple of years of which £200 was donated via raffle tickets sold by league members. However the most heart warming story of the night started with the appearance of Senhouse A team player, John Reynolds. Last year John was unable to make the presentation evening as he was undergoing treatment for cancer, nevertheless twelve months later John was sitting with the rest of the league members enjoying the fun. With everyone delighted to see John further donations began to flow and by the end of the evening an additional £300 was raised this time going to the Senhouse A players chosen charity, Freemans (Newcastle) Cancer Care unit.
League Chairman Kevin Basnett quoted, “It was fantastic to see John and great to be able to give some money to a charity obviously close to his heart”. Basnett added, “The fund raising started approximately two and a half years ago when I approached league members to help me raise some cash for the Alder Hey IMAGINE Appeal, who had previously treated my son in 2007. With all the events league members have supported over that time the total donated to various charities now stands at £5500 of which I am immensely proud to be a part of”.
Eight months in the planning for presentation evening didn’t come together however without the help of a few generous people on the night, Colin Fawcett of Station Rd Club, Alison Sharpe of Tesco’s Workington, Luke Naylor from the Station Road B team, league treasurer Dave Chapman and league secretary Andrew Mitchelhill, who all played their part in efficiently run event.
Finally though, the league stressed that the evening wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the leagues sponsors, Graeme Pritt of The Window Outlet, Workington (01900 873555) and Alan Cannan of JA Cannan Ltd (Solid Fuel Flue Specialist – Tel: 01900 601197). Basnett quoted “I’m delighted that the league continues to support worthwhile charities in such difficult financial times but I cannot thank Ken, Graeme & Alan enough for the support they have offered in making this night possible”.
Div 1 Playoff Final –16th May 2012
Cons take div 1 playoff title
The last remaining title in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League 2011/12 season produced a thrilling finale as Division 1 league champions Workington Cons took the playoff title with a 4-3 win over fellow townies John Street Club.
A 3-2 down the Cons team were certainly on the back foot but as Mike Park won the sixth frame and was then drawn out in what proved to be a successful decider he definitely went down as the Cons’ hero.
Frame one started with Cons’ 2011 County champion Alan Moore making a break of 27 to take a healthy lead against John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan. Using his experience Moore maintained this advantage and with a superb brown and blue he took the frame 61-37.
John Street’s Peter O’Hagan scored first in frame two with a well worked baulk colours break of 19 but with some determined play Cons’ Andrew Sharp stayed in touch. With just two reds remaining and O’Hagan snookered Sharp looked likely to take the advantage, nevertheless O’Hagan escaped and in potting the red he went on to build a lead of 24 with just the colours standing. Some trading did occur though with O’Hagan potting the blue the John Street cueist tied the match with a 57-29 victory.
In frame three Cons’ Ryan Ismay and John Streets Mark Tunstall proved difficult separate as neither player could manage to make a decent contribution. With the score almost tied it was Tunstall who upped his game to clear the colours in two visits for a 65-37 frame win.
At 2-1 and with an early break of 17 from Alan McLeod, John Street were starting to forge a useful match advantage. Using his expertise from the Pool table McLeod certainly didn’t look out of his depth as he applied further pressure on Cons’ Captain Ryan Adams. However up to the task Adams stood steadfastly and with brown remaining McLeod needed all the balls. A great brown, blue and pink coupled with position on the black and McLeod looked like making it 3-1. Nevertheless cutting it too thin the John Street player surprisingly missed but if that wasn’t bad enough to see the white roll into the middle pocket made it even worse as he handed the frame to Adams 58-48.
A scrappy fifth frame between Cons’ Ryan Barker and John Street’s Steven Buchanan always looked to be heading for a close finish and as just three balls stood the frame was predictably in the balance. Needing blue, pink and black Barker was faced with a double to the middle pocket but with pink over the corner pocket and black in the open a successful attempt would have almost guaranteed a win. A close attempt was to catch the jaw of the pocket but as the blue stayed in the open Buchanan duly obliged to take the frame 54-29.
With John Street leading 3-2 Simon Frazer was looking to close the match out and with some fine potting he took a valuable lead. Unfazed by his opponents play Cons’ Mike Park dug deep to swing the frame in his favour. An unorthodox doubled blue to corner pocket left Park needing just one of the two remaining balls and even though he missed the resultant pink a good potting opportunity on his very next visit saw him take the match to a decider with a 52-35 victory.
The deciding frame draw threw up an evenly balanced tie as Cons’ Mike Park faced John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan. In first, O’Hagan had a great chance to forge an important advantage but in making only 12 the John Street cueist was left frustrated. After some assured safety by both players, Park eventually created an opening. As his break developed the balls started to run in his favour with the contribution ending on a very worthwhile 28. O’Hagan never gave up and a break of 16 looked to get him back into the game but as Park replied almost immediately with a contribution of 19 the John Street challenge was all but over as Park went on to take frame and match with a 70-29 victory.
Thanks to Flimby Sports and Social Club’s Geoff Banton for providing an excellent venue and supplying the buffet.
Div 2 playoff final –9th May 2012
Senhouse B claim div 2 playoff crown
Workington’s Senhouse B have claimed the Window Outlet Cockermouth & District Snooker League division 2 top four playoff title with a 4-3 over club rivals Senhouse A.
Adding to their league division 2 & 7 a side plate titles the Workington outfit delivered a fine end to their season with a thrilling deciding frame win, albeit on the penultimate ball.
Frame one saw some good potting from both the A team’s Michael Poole and the B team’s Andy Aitken but with the colours remaining it was Aitken who held a slight lead. With a couple of unfortunate in-offs coupled with a couple of successful snookers it was Aitken who increased his advantage and as he deposited blue and pink he took the frame 52-42.
A war of attrition in frame two was broken down as Senhouse B’s Neil Bower took the last three reds with colours to take a healthy lead over Alan Ferris. Some trading did occur on the colours but as Bower potted brown and blue he took the game comfortably 67-33, taking his team into a 2-0 lead.
Senhouse B’s David Bracken made the most of Tom Lawson’s poor start in frame three to forge a 25 point gap. This wakeup call spurred the A team player on to dig deep and with the last 6 balls on the table he was still in the frame. Staring at a 3-0 match deficit in the face Lawson patiently picked off the remaining colours to haul his team back into the tie with 46-36 win.
A fantastic season for Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre still required a final push as he took on A team captain George Davison. Another disjointed frame saw many reds deposited but with few colours to follow the frame stayed close. A good last red and colour followed by yellow to brown gave Ayre a massive advantage and even though Davison claimed the blue it was Ayre who took the pink for a 43-21 victory and a 3-1 match lead.
The tactical theme continued in frame five as the A team’s Simon Burns and the B’s teams John Hodkin fought it out. With two reds left it was Burn’s who held a 15 point advantage but as some unforced errors crept into his game Hodkin grew in confidence and in taking the balls he required the A team player fell over the line, 35-27.
At 3-2 to Senhouse B Captain David Petrie faced the A team’s Manny Stalker. Rising to the challenge Stalker potted some excellent balls to move into an early 20 point lead. Petrie tried valiantly to claw the deficit back but with Stalker holding his nerve he eventually won 57-25.
The deciding frame draw couldn’t have worked out any better as the division’s ranked one and two faced each other. Senhouse B’s Michael Poole started the better with a break of 24 to take an important early advantage over top placed Shaun Ayre. At this point the next opportunity was crucial and in gaining not just one, but two or three chances Poole failed to capitalise. This allowed the league’s highest break champion to muscle his way back into the frame and with the brown remaining the scores were almost level. Potting the aforementioned brown followed by the blue Ayre required just the pink. A long safety duel ensued but with the black almost over the pocket the frame was effectively a pink ball game. Leaving a mid distance pot Poole looked resigned and with calmness personified Ayre deposited the match winning ball for a 54-45 victory in a fitting end for the division 2 leading light.
Thanks to Workington Legion for providing an excellent venue and supplying the buffet. Also, to Dave Chapman and Andrew Mitchellhill for officiating.
Playoff Semi-finals –2nd May 2012
Playoff finals loom
Workingtons Cons and John St Club both negotiated tough semi finals to make the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league division 1 playoff final, while Workington Club rivals Senhouse A & B will face each other in the division 2 contest.
In the first of the division 1 semi finals, champions Workington Cons required a nervy deciding frame win to defeat United A 4-3 after seeing a 3-0 lead evaporate. In the first three frames all the play came from the Cons side with convincing wins from Ryan Ismay (39 break), Ryan Adams and Julian Plaza. Nevertheless back came United A as Ian Whineray won on a re-spotted black followed by victories from captain Kevin Basnett and Steve Garroway. A close final frame was looking like going the United A way as with just the brown remaining Paul Graham had the balls at his mercy. Cutting the aforementioned ball to the middle pocket he failed to get the required purchase on the cue ball and went in-off to the corner pocket. Accepting his chance gratefully Cons Captain Adams quickly mopped up the balls he required for a relief inducing victory.
In division 1 playoff semi final two Workington’s John Street Club produced an impressive 4-1 away win against Whitehaven’s Marchon Club. In the first frame John Street’s Alan McLeod ground out a fine victory against Mike Walker but with Marchon’s David Currie winning convincingly against Mark Tunstall the scores were tied at 1-1. The key game of the tie was definitely the third frame as John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan defeated the league’s leading player in Marchon’s Vito Shipley. This seemed to spur the Workington outfit on and with further wins for Steve Buchanan and Tony Elliott John Street ran out comfortable winners.
Workington’s Senhouse A put last week’s division 2 title slip up behind them with a 4-1 win against fellow townies United B to move into the final. The match had started well for the United Club side as captain Dave Chapman took the first frame with an impressive 31 break. This advantage however was soon wiped out as Geoff Anderson and Michael Poole put Senhouse A 2-1 up. The defining moment in the match came in the fourth frame as coming back from 20 United’s Mike Dawson looked like tying the match up. Nevertheless Senhouse’s Alan Ferris had other ideas and in winning on the black he took his team to an important 3-1 lead. In what turned out to be the final frame of the match United A’s Tony Hindmoor made the early running but with just the brown remaining Senhouse A’s John Hodkin was still in it. A timely fluke on the brown by Hodkin turned the frame and in eventually potting pink the Senhouse cueist took his team to the final.
The last game of the week and the remaining playoff semi final in division 2 resulted in league champions Senhouse B running out 4-1 winners against Maryport Social. The match started in superb fashion as Senhouse B’s league leading player Shaun Ayre made a break of 35 to defeat the experienced John Fleming convincingly, but as Socials Andrew Henderson almost matched Fleming with a contribution of 31 to overcome Simon Burns the score was 1-1. This position of parity was short lived nonetheless as Senhouse B found an extra gear to finish off the match with victories from David Bracken, Andy Aitken and Neil Bower to set up a fascinating final.
Round 21 matches –25th April 2012 (final fixtures)
Cons and Senhouse B take league titles
Workington Cons have retained their Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League division 1 title this week with a 4-2 home victory over Flimby, while Senhouse B delivered a 5-1 home win against Maryport Social to take the division 2 championship.
With a three point lead going into the final league game of the season Cons still needed a victory to be certain of the title but with wins from Station Roads Karl Newton and Barry Collins in the first two frames the champions were feeling the pressure. Nevertheless the hugely experienced Julian Plaza steadied the nerves for Cons with breaks of 27 and 39 to defeat Grant Porter.
Cons’ Ryan Barker made it 2-2 with a win against Station Road captain Peter Collins and team mate Mike Park enabled Cons to take the lead with a break of 40 to defeat Station Road ‘Iron man’ Keith Telford.
The last frame of the evening had just as much significance for Station Road A as it did for Cons. The lower placed side needed to better the result of Keswick’s Derwent Club versus already relegated Seaton Legion by one point to avoid the drop and with the result in at 4-2 to the lakesiders the pressure was on. Up stepped Cons captain Ryan Adams and in majestic form he trounced Paul Johnston to take the title and banish Station Road A to season in division 2.
Also in division 1 Whitehaven’s Marchon defeated Workington’s United A 4-2 to finish second in the table. This result wasn’t all bad for the United A outfit as it still allowed them to make the playoffs finishing in fourth. United A’s Kevin Basnett top scored on the night with a break of 45 to defeat Stuart Shepherd but with a win for Marchon’s Vito Shipley against Bryan Walker he assured himself of a least a share of the leading player trophy. Even though Marchon captain Rob Sim did not feature, his break of 74 earlier in the season helped him take the highest break title along the break aggregate award with a total of 716.
The final game in division 1 resulted in a 4-2 home win for Workington’s John Street Club as they took on Flimby Social. Frame winning breaks of 28 from Simon Frazer, 29 from Captain Stephen O’Hagan and 30 & 38 from Peter O’Hagan helped the John Street side to finish third. Peter O’Hagan’s victory was all the more pleasing allowing him to finish the season with a 90.5% average and share the leading player trophy with Marchon’s Shipley.
In division 2 the final league games started with Workington’s Senhouse A and Senhouse B already guaranteed promotion, however the A side were in pole position to claim the title leading the table by a point. The B side certainly applied pressure upon the A side with an impressive 5-1 win over top four placed Maryport Social but the most surprising result in either division was definitely Workington Legion’s home 4-2 win against Senhouse A. This slip up cost Senhouse A side dearly as the defeat presented the division 2 title a delighted B team, adding to their 7 a side TKO plate title. Although Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre was the only player to lose against Maryport Social he still took the leading player (83.3%), highest break (64) and break aggregate (207) titles in a remarkable season for the division 2 player.
The final game in division 2 was a battle for the remaining top four playoff place but with Workington’s United B holding a three point lead over opponents Station Road A the fellow townies were up against it. A first frame win for United A’s Tony Hindmoor left Station Road B needing to win all the remaining frames and as Hindmoor’s team mate Clive Lister took the next United B kicked on to take the match 5-1 to claim third place.
There will be a league meeting on Tuesday 8th May in Maryport Social Club. Charity raffle tickets are to be returned with presentation night details also announced. Could all teams please send a representative.
Round 20 matches – 18th April 2012
Senhouse teams to fight it out
Penultimate games in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League this week set up an exciting climax to the 2011/12 season with champions, top 4 and relegation places still undecided.
Division 2 couldn’t be much tighter with Workington club rivals Senhouse A and B fighting it out for the title. Just a point between the two teams makes it all to play in the final week, though both teams are already promoted.
Senhouse B’s 6-0 away win over wooden spooners Maryport Labour was probably the most significant result of the week as this allowed them to close the gap on their A team who only managed a 4-2 home win against top 4 placed United B.
In the game between Senhouse B and Maryport Labour the only scare came in frame three as Labours Martin Murray took Senhouse B’s star player, Shaun Ayre all the way. However this win for Ayre guarantees him the divisions leading player award and it will take a monumental effort from one of divisions top ten players to stop him taking the highest break and highest aggregate break title as well.
Even though the United B side went down 4-2, wins in the last two frames from Mike Dawson (28 break) and Tony Hindmoor keeps the fellow Workington side in third place.
Maryport Social surpassed United B’s recovery in their home game against Workington Legion as a 4-2 win from 2-0 down holds them in fourth.
In division 1 leaders Workington Cons crashed 4-2 away to Flimby giving Whitehaven’s Marchon and Workington’s John Street a slim chance of nicking the title.
Even though Marchon closed the gap on Con’s with a 3-3 draw at home to Keswick’s Derwent club they probably regarded it as a bit of a missed opportunity with the lakeside outfit remaining in the relegation places.
John Streets fixture had a more emphatic ending as they presided 5-1 away over already relegated Seaton Legion.
United A’s 6-0 home win against Station Road A now puts them in a fantastic position to make the top 4 playoff ties. However, this result now puts Station Road A needing a better result against Cons next week than Derwent against Seaton Legion to avoid the drop.
Individual H’cap Final – 11th April 2012
Basnett takes sixth title
Workington’s Kevin Basnett (Scr H’cap) has retained his Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League Individual Handicap KO title with a 4-3 victory over Whitehaven’s Rob Sim (Scr).
A free flowing final between the best of friends of the table delivered seven breaks over 30 but it was the United Club A captain who claimed his sixth title (99, ’00, ’07, ’08, ’11 & now ’12) in front of an enthralled Maryport Social crowd.
The first frame set the tone with both players attacking the balls however it was Basnett who gained the upper hand to stand 25 points in front with five reds left. Nevertheless a superb pot from Marchon’s four time County Champion allowed him to construct an assured break of 46 to blue and take the game 77-54.
With Basnett potting a black at the start of frame two and unfortunately seeing the yellow drop as well, Sim took advantage to take a 20 point lead. A quick fire contribution of 38 enabled Basnett to make amends but as Sim replied with a breaks of 19 and 30 the Whitehaven cueist took a 2-0 lead with a 65-51 victory.
Frame three proved to be the scrappiest of the night with neither player able take advantage of some good chances. As the frame moved to the last red with the balls open and the scores level, Basnett was looking down the barrel at a 3-0 deficit. A mis-struck safety from Sim left Basnett a long red to the corner pocket and in holding his nerve he coolly cleared to pink for a 53-35 win.
Even though Sim held a 2-1 lead Basnett was clearly spurred on by his last frame victory and with breaks of 25 & 43 the United A player took the game in emphatic fashion, 68-19.
At 2-2 some smaller contributions from Basnett allowed him to take a 43-6 lead. A safety exchange did follow but as the Workington cueist forged the next opening a following break of 42 allowed him to take the frame 82-12.
As Basnett stood in the ascendancy Sim needed to call on all his experience to stop the rot. Under pressure the multiple county champion created a chance and constructed a classy break of 59 to take the match into a decider, 72-9.
In the final frame Sim broke the balls only to see the white crash back into the reds. An easy opener for Basnett yielded a break of 30 and a very useful lead. As the pressure started to show both players missed some easy balls but with just the green remaining Basnett still stood 20 points to the good. Needing all the balls Sim missed a mid distance green to the corner pocket only to leave it on and wasting no time Basnett cleared the table to record his sixth title win.
Thanks to Maryport Social and to Colin Sealby for preparing the table, organising the buffet and to Andrew Michelhill and Dave Chapman for officiating.
One outstanding league game was also completed in the top division this week with United A delivering a superb 4-2 away win against Flimby. This ties both teams up in fourth place for now what looks like a close fight for the remaining playoff place with just two games left. Highest breaks on the night came from Flimby’s Kevin Kirkham (36) and United A’s Kevin Basnett (31).
Round 19 matches –4th April 2012
Cons look good to retain title
Workington Cons took a massive step towards retaining their Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League division 1 title this week with a 5-1 home win against Seaton Legion.
As Whitehaven’s Marchon Club only managed a draw against Workington’s Station Road A the Cons side now take a four point lead with just two fixtures remaining. On the other hand, just a point for the Legion outfit sees them relegated to division 2 next term after a tough season.
Cons started in superb fashion in their match against Seaton as Ryan Ismay delivered a break of 37 to defeat Scott Messenger convincingly.
Frame two’s battle of the captains didn’t manage to yield a recordable break but in majestic form Cons’ Ryan Adams was equally devastating as he trounced Alan Evans.
A scrappy fourth frame fell to Legion’s Mark Tatton to pull the score back to 2-1 but with team mate Paul Smith unable to reach his previous weeks’ heroics he went down to Cons’ Ryan Barker.
A 3-1 scoreline soon moved to 4-1 with a contribution of 38 from two time county champion Alan Moore and as Mike Park grew stronger throughout the sixth frame he eventually went on to take the Cons to within touching distance of yet another title.
Station Road A‘s away 3-3 draw against second placed Marchon definitely dented the Whitehaven outfit’s chances of taking the division 1 title, but more importantly for the Workington side it will now take a mammoth effort from Keswick’s Derwent club to stop them from retaining their place in the top division next season.
In an intriguing match the first two frames were shared but the biggest shock of the week came in the next as Marchon captain and four time county champion Rob Sim, was turned over by Station Road A’s Paul Johnston.
Marchon’s Vito Shipley redressed the balance in emphatic fashion in frame four with breaks of 41 & 46 to crush Mark Robertson, however as Barry Collins won the next for Station Road they held a 3-2 lead.
The last frame of the match saw Station Road A’s Iron Man Keith Telford take the table however his determined efforts proved powerless as Marchon’s Stuart Shepherd tied up the match.
Third placed John Street came back from 3-2 down to draw with Keswick’s Derwent Club. An early 20 point lead for Derwent’s Mark Forsyth applied pressure in the last as he took on current league doubles and trebles winner Peter O’Hagan. Nevertheless the Workington player made a break of 42 and he eventually took the game to the black. A prolonged safety battle on the final ball could have resulted in the game going in either way but with a coolly potted black it was O’Hagan who nicked the game.
In division 2 second placed Senhouse B took full advantage of club rivals and league leaders Senhouse A’s free week with a 5-1 home win against Workington Legion.
The highlight of the match came in frame two as Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre won with a break of 28 and he now looks favourite to take an impressive divisional treble as Leading player, Highest break and Highest aggregate break champion.
Also in division 2 third placed United club B made a huge move towards guaranteeing a top 4 playoff place with a 4-2 home win over previously third placed Maryport Social.
A break of 28 from Maryport’s Andrew Henderson did manage to take his side into a 2-1 lead but with a win from United B captain Dave Chapman in the fourth the scores were level.
A black ball win for Andrew Mitchelhill in the next made it 3-2 and even though team mate Clive Lister made a break of 25 against Social namesake Paul Lister he still needed the last ball to record a satisfying team victory.
The remaining fixture in division 2 this week saw Workington’s Station Road B win 4-2 at home against wooden spooners Maryport Labour. This result now puts the Station Road B side in fourth place but they still have a fight on their hands with Maryport Social for the last playoff place.
Round 18 matches –28th March 2012
Senhouse A stay top
Workington’s Senhouse A improved their lead at the top of the Division 2 Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League this week with a 3-3 home draw against top four contenders Station Road B.
A poor start for the leaders saw them go 2-0 down as Station Road’s Luke Naylor and Mike Middlehurst took the advantage. Manny Stalker, Michael Poole and John Hodkin quickly turned it around for Senhouse A to take a 3-2 lead, however it was station Road star player Richard Nelson who stole the limelight with a last frame win against Senhouse captain George Davison to tie up the match.
Second placed club rivals Senhouse B fell foul to a resurgent United Club B side as they went down 4-2. An impressive home win puts the Workington outfit in touching distance of the top 4 playoffs with just three games remaining. The first two frames were shared with Andy Aitken winning for Senhouse and Mike Dawson winning for United B. Andrew Mitchelhill and Clive Lister (37 break) took the next two frames convincingly for the United Club. A break of 27 helped Senhouse B’s division 2 leading player, Shaun Ayre to the next but United B’s Tony Hindmoor ground out the last for a fine match win.
The final game in division 2 saw Workington Legion win the last two frames of their home fixture against Maryport Labour for a very satisfying 3-3 draw. This keeps Labour and Legion in fourth and fifth places respectively however they both sit on 47 points.
In division 1 Workington’s John Street Club produced the result of the week at they defeated current champions and league leaders Workington Cons 5-1 to give them an outside chance of claiming the title. A fine home win for the third placed outfit did produce one recordable break but with Cons’ Ryan Ismay going down to Simon Frazer despite a contribution of 45 this seemed to sum the league leader’s performance up.
Second placed Marchon still have a great chance of taking the division 1 trophy back to Whitehaven and with a 4-2 home win against Flimby they now sit just two points behind Workington Cons. The first two frames proved to be best of the night for the Marchon outfit as Captain Rob Sim put away breaks of 30, 36 and 30 to defeat Garry Southern and team mate Vito Shipley recorded a 39 break to overwhelm Kevin Kirkham.
Workington’s sixth placed Station Road A put a little extra distance between themselves and Keswick’s relegation placed Derwent Club with a 4-2 home victory. Station Road A’s Mark Robertson high scored on the night with a break of 28 and his team now sit four points in front of the lakesiders.
Finally in division 1 bottom placed Seaton Legion shocked top four hopefuls United A to lead 3-0 which included a fine win for Legion’s Paul Smith over United A captain Kevin Basnett. This position of optimism was short lived however as Paul Graham, Steve Garroway and Neil Henderson all won to record an important 3-3 draw for the Workington side.
The league Individual Handicap KO final between Marchon’s Rob Sim (Scr H’cap) and United A’s Kevin Basnett (Scr) will take place on Wed 11th March in Maryport Social Club. 730pm start with a free buffet provided.
Doubles H’cap final - 29th February 2012
O’Hagan’s reclaim Doubles title
John Street’s Peter and Stephen O’Hagan (H’cap +11) are the 2012 Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League Doubles H’cap Champions.
Reclaiming a title they last won in 2008 the O’Hagan brothers defeated United Clubs and fellow Workington pairing of Kevin Basnett and Paul Graham (+9) 4-2, in an exciting high quality final.
The first frame was arguably the game of the night as a superb break off shot from Peter O’Hagan lead to Basnett giving away 12 points worth of penalty points. This coupled with a break of 41 from Peter O’Hagan shortly after took the John Street duo 68 points ahead. Basnett was left with a slim chance to counter but after missing a long yellow standing on a break of 55 the chance was gone. Some trading did occur on the colours however it was Peter O’Hagan who took the frame with a superb pink for a 64-81 win.
Frame two saw United club’s Basnett make a few small contributions combined with a break of 34 to take his team into a 60 point lead. Stephen O’Hagan tried gallantly to draw the deficit back but in only managing 16 it was Paul Graham who closed the frame out 72-24 leaving the colours remaining.
Basnett started to get into his stride in frame three with an early break of 56 leaving the O’Hagan brothers much to do. A short lived resistance did occur but with Paul Graham taking two reds and colours the United Club pairing went 2-1 ahead with a 77-26 victory.
The John Street team stemmed Basnett/Graham flow in frame four with some superlative play, fine potting interspersed with equally fine safety, and took a 33-0 lead. The United Club duo tied hard to regain parity but with the green remaining they could only draw. Potting green, brown and blue United’s Basnett looked to be taking the game to a re-spotted black but in forcing the pink to the corner pocket he presented the chance to Peter O’Hagan who took the game 57-38.
At 2-2 and the match now effectively down to a best of three, frame five proved to be the most tactical encounter of the evening. Nothing to separated the two teams with just one red remaining and as a tricky shot down the side cushion eluded Peter O’Hagan, Basnett was in. Clearing to the pink Basnett left the John Street pairing requiring a snooker and a likely 3-2 lead. However with pure persistence the O’Hagan brothers obtained the snooker they needed and eventually potted pink and black for a 55-51 win.
At just one frame away from victory the O’Hagan brothers had a visible spring in their step. After a small safety exchange to start frame six Peter O’Hagan potted a superb red to the middle pocket and proceeded to build a break of 60. Basnett and Graham challenged this lead with two smaller contributions but with Peter O’Hagan potting yellow, green and brown they took the title with a 80-40 frame win.
Thanks to Workington’s United Club for providing a fantastic venue, to club treasurer Mary Wallace for putting on the buffet and to Dave Chapman and Andrew Mitchelhill for officiating.
Round 17 matches –14th March 2012
Seaton upset odds
Division 1 bottom side Seaton Legion produced one of the results so far this season in either division of the Window outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League with a 4-2 home win over title hopefuls Marchon this week.
A win for Marchon captain Rob Sim in the first frame of the night set a good foundation for the Whitehaven side, however with Seaton’s Scott Messenger, Paul Smith and Mark Tatton all grinding out victories the legionairres took a 3-1 lead. David Currie won the next for the Marchon outfit but with joint leading player Vito Shipley up in the last a Marchon draw looked a strong possibility. Nevertheless Seaton super sub Alan Evans stuck to the task steadfastly and with his win of season he dispatched the usually reliable Shipley to deliver a surprising match win.
With the Marchon result unknown to them leaders Workington Cons increased their lead at the top of the division 1 table with a 4-2 away win over relegation placed Derwent. Breaks of 31 from Cons’ Ryan Ismay and 35 from Derwents Chris D’Leny enabled the two sides to share the opening frames but with Julain Plaza and Ryan Adams winning the next two the Workington side took a 3-1 lead. A contribution 32 from Cons' Mike Park took care of the next but Derwents’ Mark Forsyth produced the shock of the night to defeat two time County Champion Alan Moore and offer the Keswick side some consolation.
In an all Workington fixture between third placed John Street and fifth placed United A a hard fought 3-3 draw unfortunately improved neither sides position in the division 1 table. Top breaks on the night came from United A’s Paul Graham (26) and John’s Street’s Tony Elliott (25).
Flimby Social increased their chances of staying in the top 4 playoff places in division 1 for the first time with a 5-1 away win against 7 a Side TKO H’cap runners-up Station Road A. Flimby’s Martyn Fisher delivered the performance of the night with a break of 25 to defeat Station Road A Captain, Peter Collins.
In division 2 United Club B’s bubble was well and truly burst as two previous 6-0 wins delivering a hope of finishing in the top four playoffs took a severe hit with fifth placed Workington Legion defeating them 6-0.
The final game of the week saw Workingtons division 2 league leaders, Senhouse A make the most of club rivals Senhouse B’s free week with a 5-1 win at Maryport Labour. This result now sees the 'A' side 7 points in front at the top of the table.
Division 2 fixture between Maryport Social and Station Road B was unfortunately cancelled due to work commitments.
Round 16 matches –7th March 2012
Station Road B defy
Division 2’s Station Rd B put a huge dent in the title aspirations of fellow Workington side Senhouse B with a brilliant 5-1 away win in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League this week.
Winning by just a point in the first frame Station Road B’s 2009 division 2 leading player, Richard Nelson made the perfect start as he defeated the divisions’ current leading player Shaun Ayre.
With Mike Middlehurst and David Austin nicking the next two against Senhouse’s Barry Haigh and Mike Mifsud respectively the Station Road side took a 3-0 lead. Frame four was won in a more convincing fashion as Station Road B’s Luke Naylor made it 4-0 against David Bracken. Naylor’s team mate Barry Graham quickly made it 5-0 with a victory over 2011 season doubles winner Neil Bower but with Bowers’ doubles partner Andy Aitken offering consolation, the most convincing win of the night was delivered against Station Road’s hapless Graeme Renney.
Also in division 2 Workington’s Senhouse A’s moved to the top of the table with a 4-2 home win over Maryport Social. The first two games were shared with Social’s Paul Alford and Senhouse’s Manny Stalker winning the first two frames. Senhouse captain George Davison produced the win of the match as from coming back from an initial break of 24 against Andrew Henderson he pushed his team 2-1 ahead. Maryport’s John Fleming and Senhouse’s Alan Ferris delivered victories in the next two as Senhouse B led 3-2, however it was Michael Pratt who wrapped it up with a satisfying win over Social’s Paul Lister.
Workington’s United Club B delivered their second 6-0 win on the spin with a victory over Maryport Labour Club to give them a fantastic chance of making division 2’s top four playoff’s with just four games left.
In division 1 Workington Cons increased their lead in the top flight over Whitehaven’s Marchon with a 5-1 home win against fellow townies United Club A. A superb win for the present champions was definitely highlighted with a break of 65 from Cons’ current Cumbria County Champion Alan Moore against United’s Neil Henderson.
Neither second placed Marchon nor third placed John Street could improve their position in the division 1 table at they drew 3-3. A battle between two closely matched sides initially swung in the Workington outfits’ favour as they took a 3-1 lead with breaks of 33 from Marchon Captain Rob Sim and 30 from John Streets Peter O’Hagan showing the way. This hope of toppling the higher place side was soon quashed as Marchon’s David Currie and Vito Shipley wasted little time in overturning Mark Tunstall and Steven Buchanan to record a very pleasing away draw.
Barry Collins produced a contribution of 39 to take Workington side Station Road A into a 3-1 lead over Seaton Legion, however with relegation placed Seaton players Allan Stephenson and Mark Tatton winning the last two this almost puts an end to Station Road A’s top four hopes.
In the final game in division one this week Flimby Social and Keswick’s Derwent Club served up a result that helped neither team as they drew 3-3. Flimby’s Garry Southern produced the highest break of the night with a 26 in his win over 2011 leading player Vince Peet. The stalemate now see’s Flimby in a top four dogfight with United A as Derwent battle it out in the relegation stakes with Station Road A.
Trebles H’cap final - 29th February 2012John Street win thriller
John Street’s Mark Tunstall, Peter and Stephen O’Hagan are the new Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Trebles H’cap Champions.
A thrilling final played over the six red format went all the way down to the wire as the Workington side defeated Marchon’s Rob Sim, Vito Shipley and Stuart Shepherd 5-4 on the final black.
It took a battle of the captain’s to resolve the proceedings with John Street’s Stephen O’Hagan potting a fine deciding frame black to defeat Marchon’s Rob Sim to take the title in an enthralling encounter.
The final started well for the team from Whitehaven as Rob Sim (Scr H’cap) made an early break of 20 but as Mark Tunstall (+11) hit back for the John Street outfit he took a 10 point lead into the colours. With the early colours traded Sim need the last two balls and with a superb pink and black he stole the frame for a 43-35 win.
Peter O’Hagan (Scr) controlled frame two from the off and in missing little he defeated Marchon’s Stuart Shepherd (+10) who went down without potting a ball, 48-10.
At 1-1 Vito Shipley (+5) made the most of Stephen O’Hagan (+11) mistakes by potting a number of key balls to take the Whitehaven side into a 2-1 lead with a 44-25 victory.
An exciting fourth frame had many twists and turns and with Marchon’s Vito Shipley making the most of his opportunities he left John Street’s Mark Tunstall requiring a snooker with pink and black remaining. Perseverance from Tunstall yielded the snooker he required but as he potted the pink and narrowly missed the black it looked to be all in vein. Nevertheless Tunstall was still in it and as Shipley’s next attempt on the black went in-off he awarded the frame to the Workington cueist, 46-45 and a 2-2 match scoreline.
A show piece fifth frame saw the league’s ranked one and two battle it out as Rob Sim took on Peter O’Hagan. Marchon’s Sim made all the early running and with some fine play he led by 33 with just 35 remaining. O’Hagan wasn’t prepared to give up and as he took the last red with a blue he looked to be clearing for a tie. Facing the blue ball for the second time proved to be his undoing and in missing a straight forward pot Sim took the last three balls to win, 44-15.
Leading 3-2 Marchon’s Stuart Shepherd was keen to pot his first ball of the night as he faced John Street’s Stephen O’Hagan. This determination no matter how hard Shepherd tried could not be converted points and O’Hagan delivered the Marchon player’s second whitewash of the night with a 44-0 victory.
In the next Marchon’s Shepherd finally managed to get his cue arm going but as he missed a couple of easy pots Mark Tunstall took advantage to win the frame, 54-20 for a 4-3 John Street lead.
The penultimate frame began with John Street’s Peter O’Hagan depositing some nice balls but as he fell unlucky with position Marchon’s Vito took control. Displaying some superb safety play Shipley pressed home his advantage to take the match into a decider with a 44-18 win.
The last started with some missed opportunities as both Rob Sim and Stephen O’Hagan had chances to take the title. Sim however did hold on to a slight advantage throughout and as the last two balls stood he held a slim 3 point lead. Needing both balls O’Hagan chipped in a fine pink but with the white rolling to the cushion close to the middle pocket he faced a tricky black. Composing himself O’Hagan struck the white sweetly and deposited the black for a 49-39 frame and title victory to the delight of his team mates.
Thanks to Seaton legion for providing a fantastic venue, to club Steward Harry Onions for putting on the buffet and to Dave Chapman and Andrew Mitchelhill for officiating.
Round 15 matches –15th February 2012
Flimby show a different side
This week in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League Flimby club maintained their fifth place in the table with a superb 5-1 away win over division 1 strugglers Seaton Legion.
With Flimby fielding a weakened side due to work commitments Seaton had a great chance to take a little pressure off their relegation fight, however with a usually attacking Flimby side showing they can also grind frames out they added to the Legion pain.
The first frame proved to the most convincing of the night with Flimby's Kevin Kirkham in majestic form. Delivering breaks of 27 & 26 he defeated Legions Paul Mostyn emphatically to take a 1-0 match lead.
Frame two saw Flimby's Mike Walker maintain his fifth place in the leading player stats with a win over Scott Messenger and with team mate David Teasdale upsetting Legions Paul Smith in the next the score moved to 3-0.
Flimby captain Geoff Banton attacked Mark Tatton from the off and never looked back in delivering frame four but Legion’s Allan Stephenson averted the potential whitewash in the next with a confident victory over Dave Farrell to make it 4-1.
In the last Seaton captain Alan Evans tried gallantly to improve things further but in the end his efforts went unrewarded as Flimby’s Wayne Dustin galvanised his team’s victory with a confident win.
Also in division 1 current champions and table toppers Workington Cons lost to Whitehaven’s second placed Marchon Sports and Social Club, 5-1. An excellent home win for the Whitehaven outfit see’s them close the gap at the top to just a point with Rob Sim and Vito Shipley providing wins to keep them in the top four of division 1’s leading player averages.
Sixth placed Station Road A won the first and last frames of their fixture against fellow Workingtonians John Street Club, nevertheless they could not halt the third placed side from cantering to a 4-2 away win. Highlight of the match came from John Street’s Peter O’Hagan as he producing breaks of 35 & 37 to defeat Station Road A’s Grant Porter.
Workington’s United Club A started their match well against Keswick’s Derwent Club as Stephen Little potted just about every ball he went for to defeat Vince Peet and with team mate Bryan Walker winning the third with a clearance of 25 on the black they took a 3-0 lead. Derwent’s Mark Forsyth won the next on the black against Ian Whineray but as Paul Graham took the fifth the United A side moved into a 4-1 lead. The frame of the night came in the last with Keswick’s Chris D’Leny opening with a break of 45 against United A Captain Kevin Basnett. This did not deter Basnett and with a contribution of 55 from the very next visit he held the upper hand. A few safety shots later proved crucial but as Basnett gained the advantage again he cleared to pink for a 5-1 match win.
In division 2 Senhouse B faltered slightly against fellow club side Senhouse A in the tussle between first versus second to deliver a 4-2 win. This enabled the Senhouse A side to close the gap at the top of the table from three points to one. The battle between the two Workington side sides did produce one significant individual win as Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre defeated George Davison to maintain his place at the top of the division 2 averages.
Maryport Labour delivered their first win of the season in an exciting contest to defeat derby opponents Maryport Social Club 4-2 at home. Victories for Labours Martin Murray, Cliff Denwood, Craig Stuart and Captain Stephen Armstrong were all the more pleasing as the current league cup champions have been in great form of late.
Round 14 matches –15th February 2012
United are United
Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League’s United Club B pulled off division 2’s only whitewash so far this season with a 6-0 home victory over fellow Workington side Station Road B to move into fourth place in the league.
With the battle for playoff positions (top 4) now starting to become a factor, as a third of the season remains, the United B side put recent unfortunate results behind them to produced a comprehensive display.
A break of 28 from United B’s Tony Hindmoor took care of the first frame against Station Road B’s Graeme Renney and with Mike Dawson 25 points up for the United Club side with the colours remaining in the next a 2-0 lead looked a certainty. However as Station Road B’s Luke Naylor decided go for broke he potted the next five colours to be faced with a frame ball black. Nevertheless in a swipe for glory Naylor left Dawson the black in which he duly obliged to take the frame.
Looking for his first win of the season United B’s Peter Smith faced a difficult task against Station Road B’s usually reliable Richard Nelson. 2009’s division 2 leading player Nelson surprising struggled from the off and with the remaining six colours standing Smith held a slight advantage. Depositing a good yellow seemed to spur the United cueist on further and in following with pots to the blue Smith broke his duck for a 3-0 match lead.
An uneventful fourth frame fell to United B’s Clive Lister as he defeated Barry Graham and with Dave Chapman taking no chances against Station Road’s Shaun Moore the United B Captain retained his third place in division 2’s leading player stats.
The sixth frame saw the pressure almost reverse as United B’s Andrew Mitchelhill was expected to deliver the whitewash. This was not an easy task especially as Station Road’s Mike Middlehurst took an early 30 point lead. Digging deep Mitchelhill drew level on the colours but as a strange turn of events happened on the next few balls the United B player looked set to lose. Not to be deterred Mitchelhill dug deep yet again and he disposed of blue and pink to record a relief inducing last frame win.
Also in division 2 Workington’s second placed Senhouse Street A maintained their place in the table with a 3-3 home draw against Workington Legion. Senhouse’s vastly experienced Geoff Anderson produced the highest break of the night, and the week in division 2, with a contribution of 40 in his victory over Legion’s Sandy Smith.
The final game in division 2 this week produced another draw with current league cup champions Maryport Social holding off table toppers and two time league cup plate champions, Senhouse B, 3-3. Highlight of the night came from Socials Andrew Henderson as he delivered a break of 32 in his defeat of Neil Bower.
In division 1 Workington’s United Club A produced the result of week with a 5-1 away victory over Whitehaven’s second placed Marchon Social Club. A contribution of 26 from United A’s Craig Davies was good enough to win the first and as Davies’ captain Kevin Basnett inflicted a first defeat of season on Marchon’s Rob Sim in the next the signs looked ominous. Further victories for United A’s Paul Graham, Steve Garroway and Ian Whineray took it to 5-0 but with another break of 26 Marchon’s Vito Shipley he did offer his team some consolation as he took the last against Neil Henderson.
Fielding a weakened side Division 1 leaders Workington Cons showed their strength in depth as they delivered a 5-1 away win against this season’s league cup runner’s up in Workington’s Station Road A. Highest break of the night came from last season’s Cumbria County Champion Alan Moore with a contribution 47 in his win over Grant Porter.
A break of 40 from Flimby’s Garry Southern allowed him to comeback in response to a contribution of 33 from John Street’s Tony Elliott in the pick of the ties between the two clubs, however a 3-3 result for both teams did neither any favours. Other notable breaks came from John Street’s Mark Tunstall (26), Steven Buchanan (32) and Flimby Captain Geoff Banton (29) in their impressive frame wins. Workington’s John Street remain in third with Flimby dropping to fifth on the back of the United A result.
Seaton Legion put an end to four straight defeats with a 3-3 home draw against Keswick’s Derwent Club but as both teams remain in the relegation places some sort of winning run is required to guide either team to safety.
7 a Side H'cap final - 8th February 2012
Maryport Social grab first league cup title.
Maryport Social Club are the new Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League 7 a side H’cap champions. A first league cup title was closed out by Social Captain Colin Sealby as his team defeated Workington’s division one side Station Road A, 4-2 in a fascinating contest.
In the first frame Station Road A’s Paul Johnston (+32 handicap) quickly reduced his handicap deficit with some good potting but with Maryport’s Paul Alford (+50) staying calm he opened an eighteen point lead with just one red remaining. As the next few balls were traded Alford’s lead remained and with an easy frame ball brown at his mercy the frame looked over. With a surprising miss to follow the Maryport cueist’s chance seemed to be gone as Johnston potted the resultant leave. Nevertheless this position soon changed as the Station Road player left an blue which Alford duly dispatched for a 57-46 victory.
As frame two begun Social’s John Fleming (+17) faced a difficult task giving Station Road A Captain Peter Collins (+41) a substantial start but it was the Maryport player who opened up the better of the two. Nonetheless this was soon negated as Collins potted two reds and blacks to lead by 45 with five reds left. Fleming tried in vain to pull the difference back but with only the colours remaining the Social cueist required snookers and Collins eventually closed out the tie, 59-46.
The next saw the Station Road A’s Barry Collins (+20) take on Maryport’s Paul Lister (+20) in an evenly matched contest. This frame certainly lived up to its pre match billing as both players produced some excellent potting interspersed with some fine safety play and with just the brown remaining the deadlock was still unbroken. Something had to give but unfortunately for Collins it was in the form of a Lister fluked brown. This effectively ended the frame as in potting resultant blue the Social cueist went onto wrap up the frame, 59-46.
At 2-1 to Maryport Social a slow start to frame four soon picked up as Station Road A’s Mark Robertson (+30) found his potting touch. Maryport Social’s Scott Lister (+45) stuck the task though with some great play, but as the luck deserted him through a couple of in-offs this allowed Robertson to maintain his lead. As the colours remained the Social cueist could still tie, however Robertson refused to give up his strangle hold and deposited the balls he required for a 43-81 win.
In what ended up being the penultimate frame Station Road A’s Karl Newton(+30) fought hard to find form but as few kisses went against him Maryport’s Andrew Henderson (+26) picked up the pieces. With the scrappy theme continuing Newton couldn’t buy a pot and Henderson went onto win, 57-34 for a 3-2 match lead.
Frame six saw Maryport Social Captain Colin Sealby (+40) open up a 36 point lead with a few small breaks. Station Road A ‘Iron Man’ Keith Telford tried courageously to reduce the gap with some fine pots but as colours eluded him Sealby led by 30 with just the colours left. Telford’s snooker attempts narrowly missed a few times but after a long exchange on the brown it was Sealby who eventually potted it, followed by the blue, for a 66-28 frame and title win.
Thanks to Senhouse Street Club for hosting the final, to Simon and Louise Burns for providing the buffet and finally to David Petrie, John Hodkin and George Davison for officiating.
Round 13 matches –1st February 2012
Marchon march on.
Division one in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League remains a close affair as Whitehaven’s Marchon Club closed the gap to just a point on league leader’s Workington Cons with a 5-1 away win over Keswick’s Derwent Club.
Contributions of 28 from Marchon’s Captain Vito Shipley and 42 from team mate Ryan Henry took care of the first two frames in their victories over Derwent’s Paul Killingley and Vince Peet respectively. Recently moving to Whitehaven from Carlisle, David Currie made an impressive league debut in frame three as he defeated Keswick’s 2009 League Individual H’cap champion, Chris D’Leny, convincingly. Frame four produced the heaviest defeat of the match as with a break of 28 Marchon’s Gavin Simpson left Derwent captain John Thwaites powerless to take the score to 4-0. Andrew Austin offered some Derwent resistance in frame five as he beat Sal Cakmak but with Rob Sim turning on the style for Marchon in the last, with a break of 44 against Mark Forsyth, a fine match win was capped.
Workington Cons maintained winning form as they defeated Flimby Social Club 4-2 but at 2-2 the match could have gone either way. A black ball win in frame one for Flimby’s Mike Walker over Ryan Ismay was quickly countered with a victory from Cons’ Andrew Sharpe, over Martyn Fisher, to make it 1-1. Flimby captain Geoff Banton took care of frame three, with a win against Julian Plaza, but Alan Moore tied up the match score again in the next with victory over David Teasdale. Kirkham brothers Kevin and Alan probably looked good enough to gain at least a draw for Flimby in the last two but with Cons’ Captain Ryan Adams and Mike Park up for the task a superb match win was fought out.
Also in division one Workington’s John Street Club produced a flurry of breaks (S O’Hagan – 29, P O’Hagan – 33 & M Tunstall – 33) to lead Seaton Legion 5-0 but it was Allan Stephenson who averted the whitewash winning the last by just a point over John Street’s Steve Buchanan.
Finally in division one Workington’s Station Road A inflicted a yet another defeat on fellow townies United Club A as they edged the contest 4-2. Top scorers on the night were United A’s Paul Graham (25 break), albeit in a defeat against Grant Porter and Kevin Basnett (28 break).
In division two Workington’s league leaders Senhouse B increased their lead to three points over club rivals Senhouse A with a 6-0 drubbing of wooden spoon placed Maryport Labour. Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayres win in the first frame of the match against Labour Captain Stephen Armstrong keeps him at the top of the division two averages with 11 wins out of 11.
Senhouse A recorded their own victory however to keep winning momentum with a 4-2 result over Workington’s United Club B. Yet another frustrating result for the United B side was all the more difficult to take as a bizarre snooker in the last frame from Manny Stalker eventually led to the Senhouse cueist taking the last four colours against the unfortunate Clive Lister.
Workington Legion’s improved form of late continued with Captain Mark Lavin and Eric McMullen winning the last two frames of their contest against Maryport Social Club to force a home 3-3 draw. Both Social and the Legion remain in the all important playoff spots at third and fourth respectively.
This week also saw the conclusion of the next round of all league handicap KO competitions starting with the Individual.
In probably the victory of the round Station Roads Karl Newton (+30 handicap) made the most of his home advantage to record 3-1 win over Marchon’s Vito Shipley and will now face United A’s Kevin Basnett (Scr) who defeated Workington Cons’ Ryan Adams 3-2 on the black. Also moving into the quarter-finals Marchon’s Robert Sim (Scr) and John Street’s Stephen O’Hagan (+22) both recorded impressive 3-0 victories over United A’s Steve Garroway (+15) and Paul Graham (+18) respectively and will face each other in the last eight. Seaton Legion’s Scott Messenger (+27) and United’s Bryan Walker (+30) both won last frame deciders, 3-2 over Station Road A’s Peter Collins (+41) and United A’s Neil Henderson (+26) and will meet each other in the next round. Finally in the individual handicap United B’s Andrew Mitchelhill made a tricky trip to Seaton Legion to defeat Mark Tatton, 3-1 and Derwent’s Vince Peet beat team mate Paul Killingley, 3-2 to make up the last quarter-final tie.
The Doubles handicap KO saw a move to the semi final stage with Flimby’s Geoff Banton and Wayne King (combined h’cap +22) delivering the victory of the round as they defeated Marchon favourites Rob Sim and Vito Shipley (+5), 3-2. Leading 2-0 the Flimby pair looked good but with the Whitehaven duo making full use of the home advantage the score was 2-2. In the decider the Marchon team stood on the verge of a remarkable comeback but with Wayne King clearing superbly from green to pink the Flimby pair booked their semi-final place.
United Club A’s Kevin Basnett and Paul Graham (+9) managed to win a tight first frame against their tie against Workington Legion’s Mark Robertson and Chris Hunter (+34). In never looking back they missed little in the next two to record a resounding 3-0 victory and will now face Flimby’s Banton/King.
The second semi final will be made up of O’Hagan brothers Peter and Stephen (+11), who defeated last year’s finalists Luke Naylor and Mike Middlehurst (+34), and Station Road A’s Barry Collins and Karl Newton (+25) who were fortunately awarded a walkover due to the work commitments of Flimby’s Kevin Kirkham and Paul Vickers (+25).
Finally, the Trebles Handicap KO semi-finals were completed with John Street team of Peter O’Hagan, Stephen O’Hagan and Mark Tunstall defeating valiant United B side of Dave Chapman, Andrew Mitchelhill and Clive Lister, 4-2 to move into the Wed 29th Feb showpiece. They will face stiff competition though in Marchon’s Rob Sim, Vito Shipley and Stuart Shepherd who also won 4-2 over the equally brave Flimby side of Gary Southern, Martyn Fisher and Wayne King.
Round 12 matches - 25th January 2012
Cup plate winners go top
Just seven days after their epic 7 a side TKO plate final win Workington’s Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League division side, Senhouse B moved back to the top of the second tier table with a 3-3 draw at Workington Legion.
Still feeding off the confidence from last weeks win they made the most of club rivals’ Senhouse A’s free week to leap frog them in the table and take the first step towards a unique division two treble.
Another black ball victory for Senhouse B’s Neil Bower took care of the first frame but with wins from Ian Torley, Eric McMullen and Mark Lavin the Legion took control at 3-1.
Division two’s leading player, Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre, made sure his team reached the top of the division with a victory in the fifth and Captain David Petrie took the final frame of the evening to seal a fine comeback.
Workington’s United Club B made a solid start in their away fixture against Maryport Social club with a win for Tony Hindmoor in the first frame but with their only other victory coming from Captain Dave Chapman in the fourth frame they eventually went down 4-2. Maryport wins for Scott Lister, Kevin Henderson, Paul Lister and Andrew Henderson keep them in third place in division two, however with two of these victories coming on the black United B went home licking their wounds.
The final game in division two this week ended in a 3-3 draw as Maryport Labour Club and Workington’s Station Road B shared the spoils. At 2-0 Station Road B looked good for an away victory with Captain Richard Nelson and team mate Mike Middlehurst winning convincingly. This strong position was soon turned around though as Carl Armstrong, Stephen Armstrong and Cliff Denwood all won for Labour to make it 3-2. In the last frame of the match unlikely hero Shaun Moore saved Station Road B’s blushed with a victory over Dan Petrie to tie up the score.
In division one table toppers Workington Cons powered their way to a 6-0 away victory leaving bottom placed Seaton Legion now looking for a remarkable second half of the season turnaround if they are to avoid the drop. Cons’ Ryan Ismay and Mike Park started the ball rolling and Captain Ryan Adams won with a 36 break in the next to make the match score 3-0. Ivor Messenger won a close fourth frame and current County Champion Alan Moore made it five with a contribution of 25. Seaton captain Alan Evans tried gallantly to avert the whitewash in the last however his efforts went unrewarded and Cons’ Julian Plaza completed the rout.
Whitehaven’s Marchon Club kept in touch in division one with a superb 5-1 away win over Station Road A to maintain their second place. Breaks of 31 and 31 from Marchon captain Vito Shipley and Rob Sim respectively took care of the first two frames followed by a victory from Stuart Shepherd to make 3-0. Grant Porter offered some Station Road resistance to pull it back to 3-1 in frame four but Marchon’s Ryan Henry and Gavin Simpson, with a contribution of 36, finished off the job.
Workington’s John Street Club maintained third spot in division one with a 3-3 draw against Keswick’s Derwent Club. A break of 39 from John Streets’ Steven Buchanan had taken care of the fifth frame but performance of the match and indeed the week went to team mate Peter O’Hagan as with contributions of 47 and 37 he broke the hundred point barrier in taking frame three.
The 7 a Side TKO final between division one’s Station Road A and division 2’s Maryport Social Club will take place on Wed 8th February at Workington’s Senhouse Street Club. A free buffet will be provided.
7 a side plate H'cap final - 18th January 2012
Senhouse B retain title
Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League division two side Senhouse B retained their 7 a side plate H’cap title this week with an epic 4-3, last black win over division one’s Flimby Social club.
An outstanding pot on the final ball by Senhouse cueist Neil Bower (+40 handicap) brought the house down as he giant killed Flimby’s Gary Southern (+13) in the deciding frame.
The match started in positive fashion for the Senhouse side as Andy Aitken (+39) built a sizable lead against Flimby Captain Geoff Banton (+28) with some fine potting. As the game developed most of the reds and colours moved to the cushions making it difficult for Banton to claw back the deficit and in the end Aitken went onto win, 55-11.
In frame two an out of sorts Barry Haigh (+43) struggled to find last season’s deciding frame form as Flimby’s Wayne Dustin (+27) picked up the pieces. Growing in confidence as the game moved on Dustin missed little and eventually went onto win, 74-27.
With the match score tied at 1-1 Flimby’s Kevin Kirkham (+20) took on Senhouse’s Simon Burns (+37). A scrappy game went well early on for the Senhouse player as he made the most of Kirkham’s missed chances. Nevertheless showing tremendous fight the Flimby cueist fought back and in forcing a re-spotted black he was still in the game. Both players produced some fine safety play on the deciding ball, however with Kirkham giving his opponent the first chance Burns took it with aplomb to prove victorious, 61-54.
Flimby’s Mike Walker (+26), in fantastic form of late, must have fancied his chances against Senhouse’s Shaun Ayre (+15) in the next even though Ayre too has been impressive over the last few weeks. The early opportunities fell to the Flimby player but as he was unable to capitalise Ayre’s game improved and with some brilliant potting the Senhouse cueist took the score to 3-1 with a 66-26 win.
In frame five all the pressure was on Flimby’s Paul Vickers knowing a defeat against Senhouse’s David Bracken would send his team down. Another scrappy game was controlled by Bracken but with pink and black remaining Vickers could still win. Many nervy missed attempts on the pink were almost forgivable but it was Vickers who produced probably the pot and positional shot of the night and with a fine cut on the pink resulting in perfect position on the black a 60-49 victory was his.
Flimby’s Martyn Fisher (+25) made the most of his early chances as he took a small lead against Senhouse Captain David Petrie (+37) in frame six. However refusing to go away Petrie stuck to his task vehemently and in pushing Fisher all the way it was yet another game to be decided on the black. Unfazed by Petrie’s determination Fisher stepped up to deposit his first real opportunity at the final ball to take the match into a decider with a 69-58 triumph.
The deciding frame between Flimby’s Garry Southern (+13) and Senhouse’s Neil Bower (+40) swung heavily Flimby’s favour as from Bower’s break off shot Southern removed the handicap deficit with a break of 27. This position of parity looked the likely starting point at which the Flimby cueist would kick on but with most of the balls running safe a war of attrition ensued. Neither player seemed to be able to grab the all important advantage and with just pink and black left the scores were level. A safety attempt from Southern left the pink over the corner pocket but with the black almost covering it Bower looked in trouble. Nevertheless as the Senhouse cueist took the table there appeared to be just enough of the pink sticking out and with the finest of cuts the penultimate ball was down. This left a very difficult shot and safety looked to be the only option. However with this consideration not even entering Bower’s head a fantastic long pot down the side cushion brought the Senhouse team to their feet as Bower claimed a 69-56 frame and title win.
Thanks to Workington’s John Street club for providing an excellent venue, to Stephen O’Hagan and Stuart Ryan for officiating and to Val for providing the buffet.
Two outstanding fixtures were also completed in division one this week with Workington side John Street Club beating fellow townies the United Club A 5-1 and Seaton Legion defeating their higher placed Workington opponents Station Road A, 4-2.
In the match between John Street and United A captain, Kevin Basnett made a great start for the United A side as from 35 behind he cleared with 48 to defeat Tony Elliott. Frame two also looked like going the United A way with Neil Henderson needing to pot a simple black against Simon Frazer to make it 2-0. With the opportunity squandered Frazer took the frame and with wins from John Streets Peter O’Hagan and Mark Tunstall in the next two the score moved to 3-1. Frame five saw one of the most remarkable comebacks the league has ever seen as from 55-0 behind John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan defeated Steve Garroway with the aid of a break of 27. The final frame of the match rubbed salt into the United A wounds as Steve Buchanan won another close game, this time against United A’s Paul Graham, to galvanise the victory.
Seaton Legion’s win over Station Road A was secured in the first four frames as Paul Mostyn, Scott Messenger, Allan Stephenson and Mark Tatton all delivered victories. Station Road A’s Mark Robertson stopped the rot in the next with a victory over Alan Cannan and Grant Porter put some respectability into the match scoreline with a frame winning break of 27 against Seaton’s Paul Smith.
Round 11 matches - 11th January 2012
Division two looks set to go all the way
Division two in the Window Outlet Cockermouth District Snooker League remains a tight affair as the half way point was reached with just seven points separating six out of the seven teams. This week it was Workington Legion who made the division’s only significant move as they defeated bottom side Maryport Labour 5-1 away to shift from sixth place to fourth.
The first two frames were shared with Chris Hunter winning for the Legion and the experienced Martin Murray proving victorious for the Labour club. This however was the high point for Maryport as successes for Legions Paul McWalters, Captain Mark Lavin, Eric McMullen and Sandy Smith capping a fine evening for last season’s 7 a side league cup plate finalists.
Next up in division two Workington’s Senhouse A maintained their top spot in the league with a 4-2 win way to fellow Workingtonians, Station Road B. Leading 2-1 with victories from Station Road’s Mike Middlehurst and David Austin the fourth placed side must have fancied their chances. On the other hand with Alan Ferris levelling the scores in the next the Senhouse A side never looked back and powered their way to victory with wins from Tom Lawson and Geoff Anderson.
The final fixture in division two this week resulted in home side Senhouse B edging the United Club B 4-2 in another all Workington contest. The frame of the night came in the very first game as Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre raced into a 40 point lead. United opponent and former three time county champion Mike Dawson quickly got himself back into the game with a break of 29 and as the game developed it wasn’t until the final pink until it was decided. Leaving the penultimate ball close to the pocket Ayre looked likely to lose but as Dawson surprisingly missed he awarded the game to his Senhouse opponent for a first frame bonus.
The next two were also won on the pink as the frames were shared with Neil Bower winning for Senhouse and Mark Suitor, on his league debut, winning for United B. Clive Lister made it 2-2 with a victory in the next for the United club but with Senhouse’s Andy Aitken and David Bracken taking the last two a pleased league cup plate holders side moved into second spot.
In division one Whitehaven’s Marchon club closed the gap on Workington Cons at the top table to just one point with 4-2 away win to Flimby Social club. Moving into the 7 a side league cup plate final just a day earlier, with a 4-0 away semi final win over Maryport Labour club, Flimby were definitely carrying confidence into their game. A 30 break from Flimby’s Garry Southern accounted for the first frame and with team mate Paul Vickers disposing of fellow youngster in Marchon’s Gavin Simpson in frame two the pressure was on the Whitehaven side. With just a few balls left the next and a 3-0 Marchon deficit looming captain Vito Shipley managed to fall over the line against Flimby’s previously unbeaten Mike Walker to pull it back to 2-1. Having given his team a boost they needed the remaining Marchon players went into over drive and with breaks of 74 (highest of the season so far), 32 and 34 from Rob Sim, Stuart Shepherd and Ryan Henry respectively a magnificent turnaround was complete.
Also in division one the game between league leaders Workington Cons and fellow townies John Street club also ended in a 3-3 draw but only after the Cons came back from 3-1 down. John Streets Peter O’Hagan made his eight break over 25 in ten matches played with a contribution of 30 in his victory over Ryan Ismay and Cons’ Alan Moore added a break of 28 to his aggregate as he left John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan with unwanted record of being the only player so far this season not score a point.
Contributions of 28 from Derwent club’s Chris D’Leny and 38 from Station Road A’s Grant Porter took a point each in the Keswick versus Workington clash in a match that ended in a finely contested 3-3 draw.
The final match in division one this week saw Workington’s United club A make a move from fifth to fourth in the table with a 5-1 home win against bottom placed Seaton Legion.
Division 2’s Workington Legion will be holding a snooker exhibition evening featuring former world number 10, and still the fastest cue in snooker, Malta’s Tony ‘The Tornado’ Drago. Still one of the games great entertainers, who has held titles in 9 ball Pool as well as Snooker, is sure to put on a great show on his travels to the Sky Sports covered Blackpool Snooker shoot-out featuring the world’s top 64 players at the weekend. The exhibition will take place on Thursday 26th Jan and entry is free (Thanks to W’ton Legion). Doors open at approximately 7pm with a free buffet also provided.
Round 10 matches - 4th January 2012
Cons’ breeze past Derwent
Returning after the festive break division one leaders Workington Cons showed no signs any Xmas hangover in the Window Outlet Cockermouth District Snooker League this week as they breezed past Keswick’s Derwent Club, 5-1.
In a match that surprisingly saw no recordable breaks Cons still made the perfect start to their home fixture with wins from Mike Park, Julian Plaza and Ryan Ismay. Nevertheless the most notable performance of the evening came from a Derwent player as Paul Killingley defeated 09/10 season’s leading player Alan Moore to pull the score back to 3-1. Normal service resumed in the next as Cons’ Andrew Sharpe won on the pink against last season’s leading player Vince Peet and Con’s captain Ryan Adams rounded off the victory with a win over Steve Hodgson in the last.
Whitehaven’s Marchon Club kept up the heat on the Cons in division 1 with their own 5-1 home win against strugglers Seaton Legion to remain just two points behind. Legions Paul Smith recorded Seaton’s only victory of the evening with a win over Mike Walker and Marchon’s Rob Sim top scored on the night with a break of 25 to stay at the top of the divisions break aggregate table.
In third place Flimby club also managed to keep their place table with yet another 5-1 win this time over Workington’s 7 a side league cup finalists, Station Road A.
In division 2 Workington’s Senhouse A took advantage of club rivals Senhouse B’s free week to leapfrog them to the top of the table with a 5-1 home win against Maryport Labour Club. Michael Pratt and Tom Lawson won the first two for Senhouse A over Craig Stuart and Carl Armstrong respectively, however Labour’s Martin Murray stopped the rot with a victory over Alan Ferris to pull the score back to 2-1. Senhouse A quickly refocused with frame winning breaks of 31 from Michael Poole and 25 from John Hodkin to ensure the match win at 4-1. Charity definitely wasn’t an option in the last with Senhouse A captain George Davison crowning a fine match win with a victory over fellow skipper, Steven Armstrong.
Maryport Social Club maintained their second place in the table with a hard fought 3-3 away draw against Workington’s Station Road B. The most notable performance of the night came from Station Road B captain Richard Nelson as he limited Socials Pete Donachy to just a single point.
Workingtons United Club B stayed within touching of division two’s top four with a 4-2 home win against Workington Legion. United B veteran Mike Dawson starred on the night with a break of 30 in a commanding victory over Legions Ben Challenger.
This week also saw the conclusion of the next round of all league handicap KO competitions starting with the 7-a-side TKO semi finals. Leading 3-0, division 2’s United Club must have thought their final place was booked however with Maryport Social hanging in they brought the score back to 3-3. Final frame deciders are always a nervy affair but with Social captain Colin Sealby leading the way he disposed of United B’s Craig Denwood to make a final they last saw in 2008.
Social’s opponents would be last season’s defeated finalists, Workington’s Station Road A, as with a 4-2 away semi-final win over fellow townies Senhouse A they will looking to go one better this season.
In the Individual handicap the victory of the round has to go to Station Road A’s Peter Collins (+41) with a 3-2 away win, albeit on the black, against Workington Cons’ former County semi-finalist, Mike Park (+11). Also moving into the last 16 with impressive wins is United A’s Bryan Walker (+30) with a 3-2 home win against Flimby’s Mike Walker (+26) from 2-0 down and Marchon’s Rob Sim whose 3-1 away victory against Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre included a break of 84.
The Doubles handicap KO saw a move to the quarter final stage this week with Station Road A’s Mark Robertson and Chris Hunter (combined h’cap +34) producing the win of the round over Derwent’s 2009 winners Vince Peet and John Thwaites (+18), 3-2. The other notable victory came from last year finalists Luke Naylor and Mike Middlehurst (+34) as they overcame Maryport Socials fancied Ryan Ismay and Andrew Henderson (+22), 3-2.
In the trebles handicap KO United Club B team of Dave Chapman, Andrew Mitchelhill and Clive Lister moved into the last four with a fine 4-2 home win against Flimby’s Geoff Banton, Dave Teasdale and Wayne Dustin. Meeting them in the semis is John Street powerhouse side of Peter O’Hagan, Stephen O’Hagan and Mark Tunstall who fell over the line against Seaton Legions Mark Tatton, Paul Mostyn and Scott Messenger, 4-3. The other two last four places go to Flimby trebles side made up of Martyn Fisher, Wayne King and Garry Southern and Marchon Club’s Rob Sim, Vito Shipley and Stuart Shepherd who defeated yet another Flimby side, this time, Kevin Kirkham, Mike Walker and Paul Vickers 4-2.
The 7 a side TKO plate has reached the final stage with the winner of the tie between Maryport Labour Club and Flimby Club to play Senhouse B, who defeated Seaton Legion 4-3, on Wed January 18th in John Street Club. Free buffet all welcome.
Round 9 matches – 21st December 2011
Station Road B upset form
Workington Station’s Road B upset the division 2 form book in the Window Outlet Cockermouth District Snooker League this week with a terrific 5-1 home win against league leaders and fellow townies Senhouse B.
The first frame of the match portrayed a different outlook as Station Road B Captain Richard Nelson went down to a break of 27 from division 2’s man of the moment, Shaun Ayre. Frame two however started the astonishing turnaround with Station B’s Mike Middlehurst wasting no time in trouncing Senhouse B’s Barrie Haigh. Luke Naylor added frame three for the lower placed side against Simon Burns and as Shaun Moore recorded his first win of the season against Senhouse B’s Neil Bower the Station Road B side now stood 3-1 up. League newcomer David Austin recorded a very satisfying win against Senhouse B’s Andy Aitken in the penultimate frame and with Station B’s Gary Mattinson winning the last on the black against David Bracken the surprising win was complete.
Even though Maryport Labour stand at the foot of the division 2 table their fourth 3-3 draw in eight matches, this time against Workington’s United Club B, shows they are no pushovers. Wins for Martin Murray, Captain Steven Armstrong and Craig Stuart illustrated Maryport’s strengths, on the other hand away rear guard action from Mike Dawson, Andrew Mitchelhill and Dave Chapman exemplified similar United B spirit.
Maryport Socials lean spell in division 2 continued this week going down 4-2 to Workington’s Senhouse Street A. Making full advantage of their home fixture Senhouse A started the match in fantastic fashion as they went 3-0 up with wins from Michael Pratt, Alan Ferris and Geoff Anderson. Socials Andrew Henderson did take the next to give his side some hope but as Michael Poole took the fifth frame to take Senhouse A into a 4-1 lead the victory was assured. In the last, John Fleming nicked a point for the Social side on the black in ousting George Davison to put some respectability into the match scoreline.
In division 1 Keswick’s Derwent Club recorded their first win of the season against the very much in form Flimby Social Club. Sitting in third place and within touching distance of the top spot Flimby must have fancied their chances, albeit away from home, but with Paul Killingley and Andrew Austin taking out Flimby virtuoso’s Kevin Kirkham and Geoff Banton in two out of the first three frames the Keswick outfit laid down their intentions. Vince Peet swept aside Flimby’s Paul Vickers in frame four with a break of 30 and with lakeside captain John Thwaites taking the scoreline to 4-1 against Martyn Fisher the Derwent duck was broken. Even though the victory was assured a point was still to be fought for and needing a win to protect his hundred percent record Flimby’s Mike Walker was in no mood to relinquish as he made it eight out of eight against Mark Forsyth.
Whitehaven’s Marchon Club moved ominously into second spot in division 1 with a 5-1 home win against Workington’s former champions John Street Club. A feast of breaks made for a fluent contest with Marchon’s John Burns accounting for the first frame with a contribution of 28 to defeat Simon Frazer. Frame two surprisingly did not see a recordable break but the game did not lack drama as Stuart Shepherd won on the last few balls to defeat John Street’s Steve Buchanan. Frame three also went in favour of the Whitehaven side with Mike Walker toppling Stephen O’Hagan even though the John Street Captain made a break of 25. Stephen O’Hagan’s brother Peter stopped the rot in the next with a frame winning break of 33 against Marchon’s Gavin Simpson to make it 3-1, however this revival was to be short lived as the Marchon outfit went into overdrive. Breaks of 43 and 34 from four time county champion Rob Sim allowed him to sweep aside John Street’s Tony Elliott in the fifth and as Marchon captain Vito Shipley performed a similar feat in the last, with breaks of 38 and 25 against Mark Tunstall, the rout was complete.
Workington Cons remain at the top of division 1 even though they recorded their third 3-3 draw out of their last four league matches played, this time on road against fellow Workingtonians United Club A. A hard fought match produced some close finishes but it wasUnited A captain Kevin Basnett who top scored on the night with a contribution of 44 to preside over Julian Plaza.
Round 8 matches - 14thDecember 2011
Flimby make move into third
Flimby club made the only move in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league’s division 1 this week with a 5-1 home win against bottom side Seaton Legion to take them up one place into third.
Confident wins from Flimby’s Wayne King and Paul Vickers against Paul Mostyn and Allan Stephenson respectively accounted for the first two frames of the match and with a quick fire victory from Mike Walker, that included a break of 25, against Mark Tatton the Flimby side took a 3-0 lead. A frame winning 28 break from Flimby’s Garry Southern against Scott Messenger soon made it 4-0, however it was Legion’s Paul Smith who halted the assault with an excellent win against Flimby captain Geoff Banton. Flimby’s Kevin Kirkham soon resumed the charge with a convincing victory against Alan Cannan to keep the Flimby title challenge firmly on track.
In a heated contest between league leaders Workington Cons and Whitehaven’s Marchon club a 3-3 satisfying away draw was carved out by Whitehaven outfit as at one stage they stood 3-1 behind.
A contribution of 28 was not enough for Marchon’s Mike Walker to take his frame against Cons’ Andrew Sharpe, nevertheless a controlled performance from Marchon captain Vito Shipley against Ryan Ismay accounted for frame two to level the scores. A 27 break from Cons’ Julian Plaza was good enough to defeat Gavin Simpson in frame three and Cons’ captain Ryan Adams increased the lead to 3-1 with a victory over Stuart Shepherd. Frame five’s battle of the former and present county champion resulted in a win for the former as Marchon’s Rob Sim defeated Alan Moore with a 45 break to boot. The last frame of the match saw a few missed chances but it was Marchon’s Ryan Henry who made the least mistakes to complete the comeback with a triumph over Ryan Barker.
United club A captain made the only recordable break in his team’s 5-1 home victory against Keswick’s Derwent club as a contribution of 39 enabled him to defeat last season’s division 1 leading player Vince Peet with room to spare.
Workington’s John Street club remain in second place in division 1 with a 4-2 win against cup specialists and fellow Workingtonians Station Road A. John Street’s Mark Tunstall top scored on the night with a break of 31 in his final frame win against Paul Johnston.
In division 2 Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre stole the headlines with a superb break of 64 in his fourth frame win over Senhouse A’s Michael Poole. The highest break in division 2 for over ten years was all the more rewarding for Ayre as not only from 30 points behind did he produce the frame winning contribution but it also spurred his team on sufficiently to enable Workington outfit to record a very pleasing 4-2 derby win.
Workington Legion’s Eric McMullen’s fifth frame winning break of 42 also helped his team to a surprisingly easy 5-1 home win over Station Road B. This comfortable victory sees the legionnaires make division 2’s most significant move as they shift from sixth place to fourth.
In the final game in the second division another derby contest, Maryport Social club versus Maryport Labour club, ended in the lower placed Labour club nicking the last frame with a win from captain Steven Armstrong to record for a very fulfilling 3-3 draw. Socials John Fleming top scored on the night with a break of 26 in his victory over Labours Cameron Stuart.
Round 7 matches - 7thDecember 2011
Senhouse 'B' go clear
Workington’s Senhouse B won the battle of the division 2 table toppers in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league this week with a 4-2 home win against Maryport Social club.
An early 20 point lead in frame one by Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre was quickly nullified with a 26 break from Maryport’s John Fleming and in taking a 16 point lead into the five remaining colours the social cueist looked the favourite. However it was Ayre who rose to the challenge and in clearing green to black the Senhouse player stood proud in a very rewarding victory.
In frame two Senhouse B’s Simon Burns increased his teams’ lead with some fine safety play against Maryport Captain Colin Sealby and with team mate Barry Haigh winning on the black against Socials Paul Alford in the next Senhouse B took a 3-0 lead.
A late fightback from Workington’s David Bracken proved all in vein as he lost frame four to Pete Donachy but as Senhouse B’s Andrew Aitken won the next against the usually reliable Paul Lister the Workington side went 4-1 up.
The last frame of the evening did offer some consolation for the Maryport outfit with Andrew Henderson solidly disposing of Senhouse B’s Neil Bower.
Also in division 2 third placed Senhouse A made sure they lost no ground on the top two with a 4-2 away win against last season’s 7 a side plate runners up, Workington Legion. Senhouse wins from Michael Poole, George Davison, Tom Lawson and Manny Stalker all contributed to a satisfying victory.
The last match featured in division 2 this week saw Workington’s United Club B take a well deserved 4-2 win against fellow townies Station Road B. Excellent victories from United B’s Tony Hindmoor, Captain Dave Chapman and Andrew Mitchelhill were definitely outshone by team mate Clive Lister as from 30 behind he eventually pipped Station Road B’s David Austin in a thrilling encounter.
In division 1 Workington Cons put their recent cup defeat behind them (see below) with an emphatic 5-1 home win against Workington’s Station Road A. Grant Porter took Station Roads A’s only point and Cons’ Alan Moore (25 & 31), Ivor Messenger (30) & Julian Plaza all excelled with recordable frame winning contributions.
Third placed Flimby club are looking an increasingly difficult side to break down as they drew with multiple league champions John Street club, 3-3. Even though John Street brothers Peter and Stephen O’Hagan delivered frame winning breaks of 36 and 30 respectively in some fine play from the Workington side, Flimby kept their top 4 playoff place in tact with their own brand of attacking snooker.
Whitehaven’s Marchon club continued in their rich vein of form with a 4-2 away win against a United club A side now looking for confidence after recent cup and league defeats in the past couple of weeks. Marchon’s Vito Shipley made the highest break of the season so far with a superbly constructed 72 against a frustrated United A captain Kevin Basnett and Rob Sim contributed with breaks of 27 and 33 albeit only winning on the black against United A’s Paul Graham.
In the final fixture in division 1 bottom side Seaton Legion achieved their first success of the season with a 4-2 away victory over Keswick’s Derwent club who now stand as the only side in division 1 without a win. Top scorer on the night was Legionnaire Scott Messenger with a well put together break of 46 in his triumph over Derwent’s Paul Killingley.
In the 7 a side handicap TKO the remaining two quarter final matches also took place this week. First up, Workington Cons made the perfect start against Maryport Social club as a frame winning break of 33 from Cons’ Ryan Ismay put them 2-0 up. Not to be deterred, Social put their lower divisional status behind them and in making their handicap gains work in conjunction with a home advantage a 4-2 victory was ground out.
The last quarter final saw Workington’s division 2 side Senhouse A also turned over higher divisional opponents in Whitehaven’s Marchon club, 4-2.
United B win KO thriller.
Workington’s United club B pulled of one of the most remarkable victories in recent years in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker League 7 a side H’cap TKO cup this week with a 4-3 win over 2002, ’07 & ’08 champions John Street Club, albeit from 3-1 behind.
An excellent win for the division 2 side over their higher divisional opponents takes them into the semi finals and no one was more pleased that United B captain and deciding frame hero, Dave Chapman.
The first frame was a tight affair with United B’s Peter Smith (+40 h’cap) making full use of his 34 points start as he took Tony Elliott (+6) all the way. Nevertheless it was the greater experience of the John Street cueist that proved to be the deciding factor and with a confidently struck pink he took the frame 64-57.
In frame two John Streets Simon Frazer (+16) produced some fine long potting and started to look dangerous but with some fine safety, United B’s Andrew Mitchelhill (+24) kept him at bay to tie the match up with a 61-47 win.
United B’s Mike Dawson (+10) rued a couple missed opportunities in frame three with last season’s division one leading player, John Street’s Peter O’Hagan (Scr), taking full advantage to seize a 2-1 match lead with a 70-48 victory.
Frame four was controlled by Stephen O’Hagan (+22) from the off and even though United B’s Ian Graham (+35) did offer some resistance on top of his 13 points start he could not stop the John Street captain from making a contribution of 28 in a frame winning 74-45 score line.
At 3-1 up John Streets Mark Tunstall (+22) faced United B’s Clive Lister (+21) knowing a win would take his team through to the semi’s. Rising to the challenge, the United B cueist missed little and even though Tunstall was presented with an opportunity with a couple of reds left he could do nothing to overcome the greater desire of Lister who went on to win 55-31.
In his first league season United B’s Tony Hindmoor (+35) could have been forgiven had he succumbed to the pressure, however this seemed to have the opposite effect and with some superb tactical play he disposed of John Streets Stuart Ryan (+26) convincingly, 77-45.
The decider started well for the United B side as Captain Dave Chapman (+31) made an early contribution of 26 in facing John Streets Steve Buchanan (+25). With the pressure now well and truly applied a few misses crept into Buchanan’s game and now with Chapman in the ascendancy he cleared from green to black for a 77-29 frame and match win to the delight of his team mates.
Workington’s Station Road A repeated their previous week’s league win over United club A with a 4-3 quarter-final TKO cup win. A dour clash looked like having an early finish as Station Road A stood 3-1 up with wins from Karl Newton (+35), captain Peter Collins (+41) and Keith Telford (+39). However with two fortunate black ball wins for United A’s Steve Garroway (+15) and Ian Whineray (+30) over Station Road A’s Barry Collins (+20) and Mark Robertson (+30) respectively the match went to a decider.
In the final frame United A’s Mark Little (+25) entered unfamiliar territory however with just the green remaining he was still in with a chance against the greater experience of Station Road A’s Grant Porter (+25). Digging deep Little created a chance but as this went awry Porter stepped in and cleared the remaining balls to record a relief inducing frame and match win.
The remaining two quarter finals; Maryport Social club versus Workington Cons and Workington’s Senhouse A versus Whitehaven’s Marchon Club will be played next week.
In the first match played in the 7 a side plate competition division 2 bottom side, Maryport labour club, produced their first win of the season to take out last season’s plate finalists, Workington Legion. The remaining match in the 7’s plate resulted in a 4-3 away win for division 2’s and last season’s plate winners Senhouse B over division 1’s Seaton Legion.
Round 6 matches – 24th November 2011
Marchon take second spot.
This week in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league Whitehaven’s Marchon Club moved into joint second place in division 1 with a confident 5-1 home win over 2009 playoff champions the Derwent club.
Marchon’s John Burns made the perfect start for the Whitehaven outfit by defeating last season’s division 1 leading player Vince Peet, nevertheless Derwent’s Chris D’Leny quickly tied the proceedings up with a fine win over Ryan Henry in frame two. A third frame rout for Marchon’s Gavin Simpson that resulted in Keswick Captain John Thwaites scoring only three points opened the flood gates for the Whitehaven side. With Mike Walker disposing of Derwent’s Carl Arthur with room to spare and four time county champion Rob Sim delivering breaks of 32 and 25 to defeat Mark Forsyth the score was 4-1. In the last frame of the match Marchon captain Vito Shipley, in a rich vein of form, completed the win with a comfortable victory over Paul Killingley.
A tough fixture for Flimby Social club against current division 1 champions and league leaders Workington Conservative club did not faze the season’s surprise package as a 3-3 home draw held them in second place (with Marchon). Probably willing to take a draw before the match started Flimby had a different outlook after the game was completed. Playing confidently the Flimby outfit looked good for a win but with Cons’ Ryan Barker and Alan Moore both snatching games they looked likely to lose over Garry Southern and Paul Vickers respectively the Cons’ went home the happier.
In an intense clash between Workington’s United Club A and fellow Workingtonians Station Road A a 4-2 away win for the lower placed Station Road club side definitely goes down as their win of the season so far. At 2-2 the turning point came as Station Road’s iron man Keith Telford won on the black against United A’s Neil Henderson after being some 25 points behind with the colours remaining. Paul Johnston then completed the job against a luckless Ian Whineray to claim the win for the Station Road outfit.
In the final fixture of the week in division 1 bottom side Seaton Legion looked like breaking their losing streak against Workington’s 2007, 08 & 09 league champions John Street club. Even though the Legionnaires stood 3-2 down a lead of some 30 odd points with colours remaining looked liked being enough for Alan Cannan to grab the draw as he faced John Street captain, Stephen O’Hagan. Nevertheless as the game transpired O’Hagan gained the snookers he required followed by the remaining balls to sneak a 4-2 match win. Top breaks came from John Street’s Simon Frazer (28) and Peter O’Hagan (31).
In division 2 Workington’s United club B stood on the verge of a 2-0 lead against fellow townies Senhouse A as in frame two United’s Tony Hindmoor lead by 17 with just the pink and black remaining. A foul on the pink from Hindmoor let Senhouse’s Alan Ferris in but in missing the pink and almost going in-off the United cueist held hope momentalary only to seen the pink fortunately roll to the middle pocket with perfect position on the black. A pot on black a few seconds later followed with wins from Michael Pratt, Tom Lawson and Michael Poole took Senhouse team into an unassailable 4-1 lead. United’s B’s Andrew Mitchelhill did offer some consolation as he defeated Manny Stalker without difficulty in the last to pull the score back to 4-2.
Also in the second tier second placed Senhouse B held too much firepower for wooden spoon placed Maryport Labour to move into top spot as the Workington outfit ran out 4-2 winners.
The last game in division 2 saw last week’s league leaders Maryport Social club draw with Workington Legion 3-3 and now sit in second spot. Socials Paul Lister top scored on the night with a break of 27.
Round 5 matches – 17th November 2011
Cons whitewash Legion.
Workington Conservative maintained their lead at the top of Division 1 in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker lead with 6-0 win over Seaton Legion this week.
Five games into the season Seaton, still looking for their first win, were definitely faced with a tough test against the current league champions but in losing three games on the last few balls the scoreline definitely didn’t do the Legion outfit any justice.
Cons’ Ryan Ismay and Andrew Sharpe won two close frames for a 2-0 lead however as team mates Julian Plaza and current County champion Alan Moore won more comfortably the home side moved 4-0 ahead. Ryan Adams produced a fine captain’s performance to construct the evening’s most convincing win in the next and as Mike Park took the last on the colours the whitewash was complete.
In another Division 1 game that surprisingly produced no recordable breaks, Whitehaven’s Marchon Club manufactured their third victory in as many matches to defeat Workington’s dogged Station Road A side 4-2 at home.
Division 1’s surprise package so far this season, Flimby Club slugged it out with current Division 1 playoff champions United Club A as both sides cancelled each other out in a 3-3 draw. At 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 down Flimby displayed their battling qualities with Mike Walker (26 break) and Kevin Kirkham (33 break) top scoring for them. The Flimby side currently sit in second spot.
The Division 1 match between Keswick’s Derwent Club and Workington’s John Street Club, unfortunately was postponed.
In fight for the top place in division 2 Maryport Social held off the challenge of Workington’s Senhouse B with a 4-2 away win over United club B. After the first two frames though a very different scoreline looked on the cards as United’s Dave Chapman won the battle of the captains in frame one and Andrew Mitchelhill defeated the experienced John Fleming to take the United club B side into a 2-0 lead. A surprising first loss of the season for the in form Clive Lister, albeit on the black, proved to be the turning point as Socials Paul Alford started the revival. Further black ball wins for Paul Lister and Pete Donachy over United B’s Mike Dawson and Peter Smith respectively seemed to rub salt into the wounds and Maryport went 3-2 up. The final frame ended in the easiest win of the night with Socials Andrew Henderson defeating Tony Hindmoor in what turned out to be a very satisfying match win.
Workington Legion led fellow Workingtonians Senhouse B 2-1 and threatened to upset the form book but as David Bracken, Neil Bower and Andrew Aitken all won for Senhouse they secured a 4-2 home win to maintain second place in division 2.
In the final game of division 2 away side Maryport Labour came back from 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 with Workington’s Station Road B. The final frame proved to be all the more rewarding for the Maryport side as league rookie Carl Armstrong delivered his first win of the season against Station Road B’s in form Gary Mattinson.
Round 4 matches - 9th November 2011
Station Road B impress.
In the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league Workington’s Senhouse Street A failed to capitalise on division 2 league leaders Maryport Social club’s free week as they crashed to a 5-1 home defeat against fellow Workingtonians Station Road B.
Looking for confidence after losses in their previous two weeks fixtures Station Road B started in superb fashion with wins from Gary Mattinson and Mike Middlehurst. Senhouse A star performer Michael Poole looked to start a comeback with a fine win against Station Road B veteran Joe Bell but with further victories for Barry Graham, Captain Richard Nelson and Luke Naylor Station Road B kick started their season in fine style.
Also in division two Workington Legion Captain Mark Lavin produced a frame winning break of 27 to help his team to their first victory of the season over the still winless Maryport Labour club, 4-2.
The final fixture in division two saw Senhouse Street B inflict the first defeat of the season on Workington’s United Club B with a 4-2 scoreline.
In division one league champions Workington Conservative club closed the gap on current league leaders John Street Club in with a superb 4-2 away win. Cons’ Ivor Messenger started well with a break of 37 but as Mark Tunstall came back superbly for Workington’s John Street club to win frame one a very different scoreline looked likely. However with contributions of 43 from Alan Moore and 63 from Julian Plaza the Cons side forged 3-1 ahead. John Streets Peter O’Hagan gave his team some hope with frame winning break of 26 in the next but as Ryan Adams produced grinding victory over fellow captain Stephen O’Hagan in the last the Cons side took the spoils.
Whitehaven’s Marchon club could have been forgiven for their slow start to the season after not featuring for a number of years but their reintroduction to league picked up some serious momentum as they defeated higher placed Flimby club 4-2 at home. Contributions of 49 and 33 from Marchon’s Robert Sim and Gavin Simpson respectively added some real star quality.
United club A’s Craig Davies and Captain Kevin Basnett produced frame winning breaks of 32 and 38 respectively to guide their team to a 4-2 away win against a Seaton Legion outfit who are now the only team in either division without a win or a draw.
Division ones final fixture saw Station Road A’s Barry Collins make a break of 38 to take his team to a 3-0 home lead, nevertheless in the comeback of the week Keswick’s Derwent club managed a 3-3 draw with assertive wins from Vince Peet, Chris D’Leny and Paul Killingley.
7-a-side TKO round 1 matches – 2nd November 2011
United B shock Legion.
This week in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league the 7-a-side team KO cup got underway with Workington’s United Club B producing the victory of the round as they defeated Seaton Legion 4-3.
A great win for the division 2 side against their higher divisional opponents was all the more pleasing as United B veteran Mike Dawson came back from some 50 points behind in the decider to produce a memorable away cup win for the newly formed side.
Seaton’s Scott Messenger played confidently to take the first against Peter Smith and as United B captain Dave Chapman made the most of Paul Mostyn’s missed opportunities the score was 1-1.
A fantastic pink and black from United B’s Tony Hindmoor took care of Alan Stephenson in the next but with a contribution 28 from Legionnaire Mark Tatton in frame four Andrew Mitchelhill could find nothing to counter and the match was now locked at 2-2.
Frame five was a highly tactical affair with Seaton’s Paul Smith proving victorious over Ian Graham and with United B’s Clive Lister potting everything in sight in frame six against Legion’s Alan Cannan a decider was upon us.
The final frame saw Legion captain Alan Evans build an early near 50 point lead, however as Dawson used all his experience he clawed the deficit back and in potting the pink he carried his side into the next round to the delight of his team mates.
Senhouse B’s Barry Haigh bizarrely won the first frame of his teams clash with Workington Conservative Club as Alan Moore fell foul to the three ‘misses’ rule. The Senhouse outfit then added another win in frame three with the aid of a 40 break from Shaun Ayre to lead 2-1. However this proved to high point for the division 2 side as Cons’ Ryan Ismay, Ryan Adams and Mike Park finished off the job nicely for the division 1 outfit in 4-2 victory.
Division 1’s United club A went from 2-0 up to 3-2 down in their first round tie against fellow top tier opponents the Derwent Club. The Keswick outfit must have had one eye on the next round as Steve Hodgson stood 40 points in front with just 43 remaining in the sixth frame. United A’s Steve Garroway had other ideas however and with a grinding performance he took the game to a decider with a black ball win. In the final frame United A’s Neil Henderson faced last season’s division 1 leading player Vince Peet. A cagey frame went down to the colours with Peet holding a 25 point advantage nevertheless Henderson dug deep and with a double on the pink followed by a thin cut black with the rest the United A side marched into round 2 with a 4-3 home win.
Maryport Socials Paul Lister knocked in a frame winning break of 25 to help the division 2 team to a 4-2 round 1 win over derby rivals and fellow division 2 side Maryport Labour Club.
Round 3 matches - 26th October 2011
Cons break free.
Week 3 in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league saw Division 1’s current league champions Workington Conservative Club put last week’s defeat behind them as they overwhelmed Keswick’s Derwent club 5-1 away with a flurry of breaks.
Starting the match with a break of 28, Cons’ Julian Plaza made a confident start to the proceeding as he presided over Derwent’s Chris D’Leny. A contribution of 53 from Cons Captain Ryan Adams quickly put paid to frame two and as team mate Mike Park knocked in breaks of 28 and 45 in frame three against a very dangerous opponent in Derwent’s Vince Peet, the score was soon 3-0. Keswick’s Steven Hodgson offered some resilience as he swept aside Andrew Sharpe but with Ryan Ismay rapidly making it 4-1 and current county champion Alan Moore delivering a frame winning break of 26 in the last against Derwent captain John Thwaites, the victory was complete.
Also in the top division Flimby Club continued their unbeaten start to the 2011/12 campaign with a 3-3 draw away to Workington’s newly promoted Station Road A. A fighting performance from the Flimby outfit was capped in the last frame of the match as from 3-2 behind Flimby’s Garry Southern ousted Station Road’s ‘Iron Man’ Keith Telford.
Workington’s John Street Club took the first two frames of their fixture against fellow Workingtonians United Club A on the black to lead 2-0. Two further wins on the last few balls sealed an impressive 4-2 away victory to take them ominously to the top of the table.
In the final game in the top division Marchon’s Rob Sim made a crucial break of 25 to pip Seaton Legions Allan Stephenson and help the Whitehaven side to a 5-1 away win. Nevertheless it was legion’s Mark Tatton who recorded the most impressive victory of the evening. A break of 40 proved to be the best of the match as Tatton presided over Whitehaven’s John Moore.
Division 2’s Maryport Social Club continued in their strong opening to the season with a table topping 4-2 home win over Workington’s Station Road B. Wins from captain Colin Sealby, John Fleming, Paul Alford and Paul Lister gave the Maryport side the perfect start however Station Road’s Graeme Renney and Gary Mattinson offered encouragement with self-assured victories in the final two frames.
In the fixture between Workington’s United Club B and Workington Legion the United B side were definitely the more pleased of the two teams as in coming back from 3-1 down they recorded a very respectable 3-3 away draw.
Workington’s Senhouse A’s kick started their division 2 campaign with a 5-1 away win against league newcomers Maryport labour Club. Senhouse A’s Michael Poole, John Hodkin, Geoff Anderson, Captain George Davison and Tom Lawson all looked impressive for the Workington outfit, however Maryport’s Craig Stuart did offer some consolation in his win over Alan Ferris.
There will be a league meeting on Mon 7th November in Workington Conservative Club at 730pm. Could all teams please send a representative.
Round 2 matches - 19th October 2011
Marchon find going tough.
Week 2 in the Window Outlet Cockermouth and District Snooker league saw Workington’s John Street Club lead the Division 1 table with a 5-1 home win over Whitehaven’s Marchon Sports and Social Club.
Into action for the first time this season, after last week sad postponement, Marchon found the going tough. However the highlight of the match came in the shape of a break of 64 (highest of the week) by Haven’s Rob Sim in his victory over Tony Elliott. Other notable contributions came from John Street’s Simon Frazer and Peter O’Hagan with breaks of 31 & 32 respectively.
Workington’s United Club A delivered one of the results of the week as they defeated current division 1 league champions Workington Conservative club 4-2 away. A confidence boosting win for the United A team was largely put down to Bryan Walker as in his first full season in the league he defeated Cons’ current County Champion Alan Moore with a 40 break to boot. Scoring visits also came from United A’s Kevin Basnett with a break of 37 and although Con’s Mike Park made a contribution of 25 it was not enough to see him past Paul Graham.
Also in the top division Flimby Sports and Social Club joined John Street the apex of the table but as they led Keswick’s Derwent Club 4-0 thoughts of a lone top spot was a distinct possibility. A frame winning break of 27 by Derwent’s Paul Killingley stopped the rot in the next and as the Keswick captain defeated former County Pool champion Kevin Kirkham in the last, a respectable 4-2 result ensued.
The final match in division 1 ended in a 4-2 home win for Workington’s newly promoted Station Road A against Seaton Legion. Top break of 28 came from Station Road’s Grant Porter.
Division 2’s newly formed United Club B started their campaign in fine style as the Workington side overcame Maryport’s Labour Club 5-1 at home.
Maryport Social Club built on last week’s draw against Maryport Labour Club with a 5-1 home win against Workington’s Senhouse Street Club A.
The final fixture in division 2 proved to be a positive one for last season’s 7-a-side plate winners, Workington’s Senhouse Street Club B, as they also recorded a 5-1 home win this time over Workington’s Station Road B.
Round 1 matches – 12th October 2011
New season starts on a sad note.
Workington based uPVC firm the Window Outlet have again stepped in to sponsor the 2011/12 season Cockermouth & District Snooker League. A third term sponsorship for company owner Graeme Pritt has given the season an exciting feel however sadness was evident amongst many of the league players as Cumbria snooker legend and 4 time county champion Rob Sim mourned the unexpected death of his son. Making a welcome return to the league after a five year absence Whitehaven’s Marchon Sports and Social Club, now captained by Sim, were due to face Division 1 league champions Workington Conservative Club in their first fixture but after a quick telephone call the game was postponed as a mark of respect. The league sends out their heartfelt condolences to Rob and his family.
The remaining fixtures kicked off with Division 1’s Flimby Social Club making the best possible start to the season by defeating Seaton Legion 6-0 in what turned out to be the result of the week .
In just their second season in Division 1 Flimby’s result seemed all the more surprising as it was achieved on the road. Flimby new recruit Kevin Kirkham made a break of 29 in the first frame against Harry Onions and with Martyn Fisher finding a little divine intervention on the pink against Seaton’s Paul Mostyn the score was quickly 2-0. A 25 break by Seaton’s Allan Stephenson in frame three was not enough to halt the charge of Mike Walker and as Flimby’s Garry Southern won on the black against Mark Tatton Flimby took the lead to 4-0. Flimby captain Geoff Banton won on the pink against Paul Smith to make it 5-0 and with another black ball victory for Paul Vickers against Legion captain Alan Cannan the whitewash was complete.
The summer break showed no ill effects for Division 1’s John Street as they produced a 5-1 home win against last season’s Division 2 champions Station Road A. Breaks of 28 and 42 from Tony Elliott and Peter O’Hagan respectively and a win from Mark Tunstall helped John Street take a 3-0 lead. Station Road A’s Mark Robertson went some way to spoiling the party as he defeated Steven McLeod but with Stuart Ryan and John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan taking care of the last two frames Station Road A’s ‘welcome back’ to the top division was completed.
Also in division 1 last season’s top 4 winning side the United club turned around 2-0 deficit to produced an excellent 4-2 away win against 08/09 season 7 a side champions the Derwent club. The turnaround begun with a frame winning break of 29 from United’s Neil Henderson in frame three and with Steve Garroway and captain Kevin Basnett making breaks of 30 and 42 respectively in frames five and six a pleasing victory was accomplished.
In division 2 and making a return after an absence of nearly ten years Maryport Labour Club ground out a 3-3 draw with derby rivals Maryport Social Club. Labour Club wins for Craig Stuart, Craig Denwood and Martin Murray took it to 3-0, however victories from Socials Paul Lister, John Fleming and Andrew Henderson were enough to share the spoils.
Senhouse A made a confident start to the season as they turned over club rivals Senhouse B 4-2. The highlight of the match was superbly constructed break of 36 by B team player Shaun Ayre in his victory over A team cueist Manny Stalker.
In the final game in division 2 Station Road B put last season’s disappointment of missing out on promotion behind them as they produced a solid 4-2 home win against Workington Legion.