Doubles Final & Presentation night - 24th/27th March

Derwent A players claim doubles title to end season on high note

World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association board member and provisionally world ranked number 30 Mike Dunn (photos) produced some truly awesome snooker to put a fitting end to another exciting Cockermouth & District Snooker League season.
Dunn delivered a 50 plus break in nearly every frame he played as he took on league/competition winners from both divisions. Unbeaten throughout the evening he then presented the season’s trophies in front of a packed Station Road club crowd. 

The exhibition evening in association with JA Cannan Ltd (Solid Fuel Flue Specialist – Tel: 01900 601197) was also sponsored by a number of local businesses who without their additional support would not have been possible. Thanks to www.getnoticedonline.co.uk, The Old Townhouse restaurant, V4MEN menswear, Kowloon Chinese & English takeaway, Seaton Garden Centre & Service Station and Haigh’s butchers.

All of this was not before the last title of the season was decided as Derwent A players John Thwaites and Vince Peet claimed the Doubles H’cap KO cup with a 3-2 victory over battling Station Rd. cueists Keith Telford and Clive Lister.
The match started well for the Station Rd. players as Lister produced two small contributions to take the pairing into a 30 point lead. This was reduced somewhat by the Derwent A team but after two in-off’s on the final yellow by Derwent’s Thwaites Station Rd’s Telford was presented with a frame winning opportunity. The balls required were duly dispatched but in a bizarre twist that went unnoticed by both the spectators and the referee Kevin Basnett, this was not by Telford but by team mate Lister. This play out of turn handed the Derwent players a lifeline and after such devastating misjudgement the Station Rd. players could have been forgiven for cracking a little, nevertheless it was Lister who delivered a fantastic long pot on the frame ball brown to the huge relief of team mate Telford for a 72-41 win.
As frame two developed it was clear to see that Station Rd. players were as eager to increase their lead as fervent as the Derwent A cueists were to nullify their deficit. This took the game to the brown again and with the scores locked at 37 points each it was anybodies frame. A nervy safety exchange ensued but with a quick one-two from the Derwent players, blue by Thwaites and pink by partner Peet the frame was won, 48-37.
With the match score at 1-1 the third frame again showed signs of nerves from both sides and as just the pink remained only eight points could separate the two teams. Only requiring the penultimate ball Keswick’s Peet was presented with a guilt edged opportunity only to jaw it in the corner pocket. This missed opportunity looked to give the Station Rd. players the chance they were looking for, however unaffected by this Peet redeemed himself as with his next visit to the table he coolly took the frame ball pink for a 60-37 win.
The fourth frame looked to be another tense affair but as Derwent’s Thwaites was snookered with all the reds well spread the Station Rd. team were in control. An easy escape was possible but in trying to keep the game tight he gave away 19 points in fouls and with a 27 break from Station Rd’s Lister to follow almost immediately the tie was soon at 2-2 with an 83-22 points frame win.
The decider had all the makings of a classic given the earlier tussle but as Derwent’s Peet was in amongst the balls, and although his break only stood at nine, a match clinching opportunity presented itself. A surprising miss followed but as a red dropped into the middle pocket so did the shoulders of the Station Rd. players. What happened next was as fantastic for the Derwent A players as painful it was for the Station Rd. cueists, as Peet then went on to construct a frame and match winning break of 63 to eventually take the game 83-38 to the delight of team mate and Derwent A captain John Thwaites.
Thanks must go to David Petrie and Senhouse Street club for providing an excellent venue, to Ochy for preparing the table and finally to Allister Byers for providing the buffet.

Top 4 Playoff Finals - 18th March

Maryport Social A & Ellbra claim playoff titles

This week in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League Division 1 side Maryport Social A (4-2) and Division 2 outfit Senhouse A (4-1) claimed the top 4 playoff titles with wins over Derwent A & Ellenborough Club respectively.

In the Division 1 final a close game was always on the cards as during the league season the two teams had found it difficult to break one another down.
Frame one saw Maryport Social A’s Individual H’cap KO finalist Alan Moore pile on the pressure from the break off. An early break of 22 from the Maryport cueist left Derwent A’s Captain John Thwaites under no illusions that the former county champion meant business.  A short safety exchange soon after resulted in Moore being presented with another chance in amongst the balls again and with a further contribution 22 the frame was over for a 64-14 win.
Derwent A’s current County Champion Rob Sim delivered the most one side frame of the evening in the next as with a totally awesome display of potting he recorded breaks of 48 & 25 to sweep aside powerless Maryport cueist Steven Armstrong, 74-2.
Locked at 1-1 lakesider Paul Killingley begun the next frame the better of the two players as a break of 24 saw him take an early lead. Social A’s Kevin Henderson dug deep as he brought the scores to almost level but unfortunately as the next chance presented itself, with the balls well placed,  it only offered 9 points. This missed opportunity seemed to lift Killingley and even though Henderson contested momentarily on the colours the Keswick player powered to 63-33 win.
After a short break for the buffet Keswick’s Andrew Sharpe provided some light relief as in producing a set of false teeth and requesting referee Kevin Basnett to clean the white ball the Seaton Legion crowd burst into fits of laughter. Nevertheless, back to the serious stuff and with fourth frame well underway the matches’ first scrappy game had developed. With just a few reds left Sharpe’s opponent, Maryport’s Sal Cacmak, probably made the frames’ turning point decision as owning up to a foul nobody saw strangely seemed to swing things his way. From then on nothing the lakesider did went right and with a unlucky in-off on the last red being the final straw Cacmak took the balls he required to capture the frame 64-24 and tie the match score at 2-2.
The penultimate frame of the contest also saw the highest break of the match as Maryport’s Ivor Messenger continued in his recent fine form with a faultless contribution of 52 to overwhelm Derwent A’s Doubles H’cap finalist Vince Peet by a final score of 74-7.
At 3-2 to the Social side victory was in sight and with long serving Cockermouth & District league player Julian Plaza taking the table for the Maryport side their fate was in good hands. Solid tactical play from Plaza coupled with some fine potting from lakeside opponent Steve Hodgson made for a close frame. However it was clear to see that Plaza was not going to let his teams’ hard work go to waste and with quick shift through the gears the Maryport man soon crossed the line for a 55-30 victory to take the playoff title for a jubilant Social A outfit.

Thanks to Seaton Legion for providing an excellent venue, steward Harry Onions for preparing the buffet, Mark Lees for preparing the table & finally to Eric McMullen for carrying out scoring duties. 

The Division 2 final started with Ellbra holding the pre match advantage as with three wins over their rivals in their championship run surely put them up as favourites.First frame blows were traded but as Senhouse A’s John Hodkin made slightly more of his opportunities than Ellbra opponent Tony Lambert, he held a 14 point lead with just the colours remaining. With the Ellbra cueist still looking confident of victory a cruel in-off not only increased his deficit but left Hodkin a free ball and a chance to seal the frame win. Wasting no time the subsequent bonus ball was dispatched and in clearing to the blue the Senhouse A player put the first frame on the board.
As frame two got underway influential Ellbra cueist Martin Murray pulled off some good pots but with Senhouse A’s Allister Byers proving difficult to shake off there was nothing to separate them with just the final six balls remaining. At a time when Murray has shrugged off many a player this season an Ellbra win must have looked good, however as the Senhouse A player upped his game considerably he found the necessary points he required to win the frame and take his team into a 2-0 lead.
In this precarious position a captain’s performance was required and with Ellbra’s Keith Anderson already at the table it was plain to see he was in no mood to give in. A real tension filled ding-dong battle with Senhouse A’s vastly experienced Alan Ferris ensued, but with Anderson showing calmness personified he dispatched the balls he required with consummate ease to put his team’s first frame on the board.
With another greatly knowledgeable Senhouse A player in Tom Lawson up next an early fine long red set the tone and in using his know-how he forged ahead to lead by 20 with just the brown left. His Ellbra opponent Pat Walton applied maximum effort but an unforced error on the pink lead to a frame clinching opportunity with which Lawson duly obliged to give his team a 3-1 match lead.
In what turned out to be the last frame of the match Senhouse A cueist Manny Stalker made the most of a nervous start from Ellbra stalwart Alan Petrie as he established what turned out to be an unassailable lead. A brief challenge from Petrie was offered but Stalker eventually mopped up the balls he required to take the frame and match for a delighted Senhouse A side.

Thanks to Flimby club for providing an excellent venue, Mary Ivison, Linda Bell & Anita Hodgson for preparing the buffet, David Teasdale for preparing the table & finally to Colin Sealby & Geoff Banton for officiating throughout the match.

Matches played w/e 15th March

Walker claims individual title

This week, delighted Flimby cueist Mike Walker defied the odds in delivering a fine performance to claim the 2008/09’ Cockermouth and District Snooker League Individual KO title by defeating hugely experienced Maryport Social A former county champion Alan Moore by three frames to one.
Receiving 28 points start Walker started the match nervously as Moore used his know-how to quickly close the gap, however as the frame developed the Flimby player grew in confidence and with just the green left on the table he still held a slender lead. At this point Walker could have been forgiven for not turning this slight advantage into a frame win but with quick fire potting he dispatched the balls he required for a 78-50 victory, to leave the Social cueist stunned.
As the next game commenced it was obvious to see that Moore wanted to rapidly wipe out any memories the first frame held as with a studiously constructed break of 25 the scores were almost level. This set a solid foundation for the Maryport player and even though Walker resisted briefly the outcome was never really challenged as Moore went onto win 81-58.
After a brief break for the buffet the players took the table again and with the score at 1-1 both players we looking to gain an important match advantage. As the frame developed Walker was starting to look more poised and even though Moore fought back well with a break of 22 he was powerless against the Flimby man’s defence as he succumbed to a 75-49 defeat.
With the fourth frame only just underway the Flimby player increased his handicap lead almost immediately with some solid play to lead by 45. Moore followed with a gritty 23 break but with the deficit still requiring quite a bit of work the harder he tried the more the balls seemed to run against him. Walker, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, seized the opportunity and with all the colours remaining the Social player offered his hand in concession for a 63-36 frame and match win for an elated Flimby cueist.

Thanks to John Street Club for providing an excellent venue, to Val Smith for a superb buffet and to Steven O’Hagan and Stuart Ryan for preparing the table and officiating throughout the match.

This week the divisional top 4 playoff semi finals took place with fourth placed Derwent A (4-3) and third placed Maryport Social A (4-2) booking their places in the Division 1 final by defeating league champions John Street and second placed Railway Club respectively.

In division 2 league championship winning side Ellenborough Club (4-0) and third placed Senhouse A (4-3) both progressed to the final with corresponding victories over fourth placed Clifton Lions and second placed Maryport Social B.

In the first Division 1 semi final John Street’s Tony Elliott proved to strong for battling Derwent A cueist Steve Hodgson and with fine attacking play he went onto win 74-33.Frame two brought together John Street’s division 1 leading player Peter O’Hagan against uncompromising Derwent A cueist Paul Killingley. As the Keswick player lay down the gauntlet with an early 20 break O’Hagan was in no mood to give up and with just an easy final pink remaining 2-0 to the John Street side looked certain. But as a surprising miss ensued Killingley mopped up the final two balls to deliver a confidence boosting 51-42 victory for his side.As the next game took the table John Street’s Mark Tunstall stamped his authority on the frame by immediately delivering a 31 break and even though Derwent A’s Andrew Sharpe came back briefly he was defenceless against the John Street cueist’s onslaught who eventually won 67-55.With John Street’s Stephen O’Hagan and Derwent A’s John Thwaites meeting for the umpteenth time this season a close game always looked on the cards as the two captains went shot for shot. The inevitable colours battled followed but with O’Hagan taking the bull by the horns he delivered a fine 51-40 win for a 3-1 lead.Under the cosh, up stepped Derwent A’s Trump card in three times County Champion Robert Sim. Wasting no time he rapidly put a 45 break on the scoreboard and although John Street’s Stuart Ryan hit back with a couple of smaller contributions of his own he count not delay the inevitable as Sim went onto win 65-30.In the sixth frame of the match Derwent A’s in form cueist Vince Peet found himself under extreme pressure as a 30 point lead amassed by John Street’s Simon Frazer looked to be a telling one. Not to be deterred though by this precarious position, the Keswick cueist upped his game as he classily fought back to deliver a 65-43 win and take the match into a deciding frame.As the stalemate had been reached the pre-match deciding frame draw was now realized as John Street’s current County Doubles Champion took on Derwent A’s current County Singles Champion Rob Sim. In a typical decider neither player could force the advantage and with just pink and black remaining the game was still in the balance. The expected safety exchange followed but a loose shot from O’Hagan left Sim with a long pink and with the black hanging over the corner pocket a match winning opportunity was presented. Again, wasting no time the pink was dispatched with consummate ease and with the simple black to follow the 4-3 match victory was assured with a 64-60 win.In the second Division 1 semi final Maryport Social A started the match well as with a 27 break from Alan Moore he defeated Railway’s Craig Davies (80-22) but with a dogged display from Railway’s Steven Little over Maryport’s Steven Armstrong (56-35) the match score was quickly  level at 1-1.In the next frame Social’s Ivor Messenger turned back the clock to freeze out Railway cueist and doubles partner Kevin Basnett (87-38) with a 25 to boot. 2-1 to Social A was soon 3-1 as Railway’s Paul Graham could not find his potting touch in going down 46-39 to Maryport’s Sal Cakmak.Railway’s Barry Collins gave his team some hope as he overcame Social A’s Kevin Henderson 59-19 for 3-2 but as Collins’ team mate Steve Garroway went in-off on the final blue in his frame against Maryport’s Julian Plaza it was quite clearly not the Railwaymen’s night as Plaza went onto win 47-38 to confirm his teams’ place in the final.In division 2 Ellbra started their playoff semi unsteadily as Craig Anderson looked all but dead and buried as he stood 28 points behind with just blue, pink and black remaining against determined Lion’s player Graham Renney. However with probably the gutsiest performance of the season he obtained two successful snookers and dispatched the last three balls for a respotted black. After his awesome comeback there was no way Anderson was going to let this hard work go unrewarded and with terrific composure he dispatched the black to crush a devastated Clifton cueist 53-46.In frame two Clifton’s Mike Middlehurst kept Ellbra’s Pat Walton at bay with some fine safety but as the game developed Walton finally got the chances he was looking for and with just the pink left Middlehurst conceded for a 56-40 Walton win.At 2-0 to Ellbra they put their key player, Martin Murray, to the table and the Champions talisman did not disappoint. An early break of 28 allowed Murray to pile on some early pressure and with his foot firmly on the gas this was rapidly turned into an unassailable 40 point lead.  As only the colours remained Clifton Captain Barry Graham fought briefly but could not avoid a 56-8 defeat.In what turned out to be the last frame knowledgeable Ellbra cueist Tony Anderson found himself at an early 20 point disadvantage as www.getnoticedonline.co.uk Trebles winner Gary Mattinson produced some positive play. Not to be put off by this Anderson used his wealth of experience to swiftly turn this around into his own 40 lead and again as only the colours were left on the table their final spot was soon established with a 74-28 victory.In the last playoff semi Maryport Social B’s Pete Donachy could not find the necessary impetus in the first frame as some steady potting by Senhouse A’s John Hodkin saw him cross the line first, 52-16.In the next Senhouse’s Michael Poole raced into a 38 point lead against Social B youngster Ryan Ismay. However with composure that belittled his years, Ismay took the game all the way to the black which he eventually deposited for an awe inspiring 62-54 win.At 1-1, Social B’s Paul Alford and Senhouse A’s Manny Stalker could not be separated and with only the blue remaining the scores were almost level. With such a finely poised tie it was probably not the point at which either player wanted lady luck to step in, but step in she did as in fluking the blue Stalker kissed the pink over the corner pocket with which he duly obliged for a 55-37 victory.Safety was the order of the day in the fourth frame and as Senhouse A’s Alan Ferris picked off the colours one by one he defeated Social B’s Andrew Henderson for a 60-37 win and a 2-1 Senhouse A scoreline.Social B’s potting machine and division 2 highest break winner Paul Lister started slowly in the next but as he got into he stride he quickly amassed a break of 46 to eventually preside over Senhouse A cueist Michael Pratt 74-15.With the score at 3-2 to Senhouse A a must win for Social B Captain Colin Sealby was required over Senhouse A’s Tom Lawson if he was to take his team into a deciding frame. Not putting a foot wrong the Social A Captain produced a performance that was praiseworthy of his status to deliver a 44-19 victory.In the decider Social B’s Ryan Barker and Senhouse A’s Allister Byers both looked nervous but with some solid potting it was Byers who took a substantial advantage to the colours. Needing three snookers Barker dug deep and in what looked likely to be another semi final twist he only required the final two balls to record a remarkable victory. Unfortunately for the Maryport cueist this ended up being a bridge too far as Byers dispatched the pink to take his side to the final with a 62-45 win.

Week 21 matches - 4th March 2009

Ellbra take Div 2 title and Derwent A claim 7's cup.

Ellenborough Club clinched the Division 2 title in the final week of the Cockermouth and District Snooker League season with a 3-3 draw against Keswick’s Derwent B.Congratulations must go out to the Maryport side who have headed the table for most of the season. Needing only a point they had a nervous wait until the third game of the match as Martin Murray proved again what a vital part of the Division 2 Championship side he has been by defeating Derwent B’s Chris Rule.With the top 4 playoff teams in Division 2 already decided only positions were left to play for and with a 3-3 draw in the fixture between Maryport Social B and Senhouse A their positions remained unchanged as they finished second and third respectively. As there were no breaks over 25 recorded in the Division this week, Maryport Social B cueist Paul Lister’s highest break of 59 remained uncontested and his position at the top of the break aggregate table was also confirmed with a total of 156, strangely the same total he won the trophy with last season. The last playoff spot went to Clifton Lions as a 4-2 away win against wooden spooner’s Trades Hall left them in fourth place. Overall probably a little frustrating for the Clifton outfit, as for most of the season they had threatened title winners Ellbra. It wasn’t all disappointment for the Lion hearts as a win for Richard Nelson against Trades’ Captain John McGee enabled him to capture the Division 2 leading player title with a 19 wins out of 20 games played average.The last game of the Division between Glasson and Flimby was played in a very competitive manner considering neither team could pressurize the playoff places. This eventually ended in a 4-2 Flimby away win which sees the two teams finish seventh and sixth respectively.In Division 1 the top 4 playoff places were also confirmed as a 4-2 home win for Maryport Social A against Senhouse B, which incidentally included a 32 break from Senhouse’s Shaun Ayre, left them in third place in the table. Station Road Club produced their best result of the season in the final week, a spirited 4-2 away win against Keswick outfit Derwent A, which also contained breaks of 49 and 25 for lakeside cueists Rob Sim and Vince Peet respectively. Unfortunately a little bit of ‘too little too late’ was in the air for the Station Road side as this result combined with the two points Senhouse B took in the previous match sends them back down into Division 2.First placed John Street travelled to second placed Railway Club in which could have been billed as a dead fixture as neither teams’ positions could now be challenged, but there was still much to play for. Railways Kevin Basnett stood in joint first place in the leading player averages with John Street’s Peter O’Hagan and also held the highest break and the break aggregate top spots at the start of the match. However as Basnett was defeated with the aid of a 30 break from John Street’s Tony Elliott, who incidentally leapfrogged his opponent into second place, the last frame of the evening now presented O’Hagan with a chance to take all three cups. A 60 break would have seen him clinch the break aggregate title but a contribution over 130 would also have seen him take the top break prize to boot. Ironically his quest to overturn Basnett’s break title hopes also put in jeopardy his own leading player aspirations as a defeat by Railway’s Neil Henderson would hand the cup to team mate and Basnett victor Tony Elliott.As the colours approached it was now obvious to see that the break titles were out of reach and even though Railway’s Henderson threatened for a time with just the brown remaining it was O’Hagan who held his nerve to take the frame and the leading player trophy.The final match of Division 1 also produced another great result for the underdog as relegated Workington Legion defeated fifth place Seaton Legion to end a difficult season on a high note.The Top 4 playoff finals will be played on Wednesday 18th March. The Division 1 final will be held in Seaton Legion & the Division 2 final will be held at Flimby Club. Both finals will commence at 7:30pm with a free buffet being provided.The 7 a side handicap KO final between Derwent A and John Street club produced a real cracker of a contest as in going all the way to a deciding frame the Keswick outfit recorded a memorable 4-3 win over the defending champions from a position of two frames down with just three to play.In the first frame of the final and giving away 11 points start John Street’s Steven Buchanan opened the match like the proverbial runaway train, as great pot after great pot ensured he quickly turned round his handicap deficit into a commanding 40 point lead. Buchanan’s Derwent A opponent Steven Hodgson tried hard but could find no answers and with a couple of unlucky in-offs in quick succession he was soon to concede the frame 60-13.As Derwent A Paul Killingley turned his 23 points start into his own 40 point lead John Street's Tony Elliott was soon under the cosh, however showing great resilience Elliott stuck to his task with just the pink and black left he only required one ball.  A nervy battle ensued with and with either player still looking likely to win a cruel twist of fate stepped in as an attempted safety by Elliott turned into a pot for a 67-59 win.At 2-0 to John Streetthe Derwent A side needed a good performance in the next and in County Champion Robert Sim they couldn’t have picked a stronger performer. With a 15 point start John Street’s Mark Tunstall went on to protected this lead well and with just five reds left he had advanced this to a healthy 25 point advantage. Just at the point when Tunstall was thinking about the win Sim stepped up a couple of gears and with two smaller contributions the frame was soon over for a 68-48 victory.In the next frame John Street’s Stuart Ryan put together some fine pots to quickly turn his 7 start into a healthy 20 point lead which sustained until just a couple of reds remained. However throwing caution to the wind Derwent A’s Peter Towers was swiftly back in the tie and with the pink and black was left on the table the game was in the balance. Ryan was not to be outdone by this cavalier approach and as an opportunity presented itself he delivered a cool nerve to dispatch the pink and win the frame, 56-36.As the score stood at 3-1 to the John Street side every frame now had the potential to end the match. The pressure was starting to build and as the tie between Derwent A’s Andrew Sharpe and John Street’s Simon Frazer developed it was obvious to see that both players realised this.  Sharpe made his 14 points start work and after some excellent potting he was soon 50 points in front. Not to be deterred by this precarious position Frazer upped his game and with a studiously constructed break of 29 he applied some pressure to a now edgy looking lakeside cueist. Safety was now the order of the day from both players and as Frazer slowly clawed the remaining deficit back the scores were level with just pink and black remaining. With Frazer now looking the more confident of the two players it was plain to see that he was waiting for one good chance to finish the frame and match, nevertheless fate stepped in again and with the white disappearing into the corner pocket a relieved Sharpe quickly dispatched the pink he now required to win 70-58 and keep his team’s hopes alive.Frame six brought together the two team captains as John Street’s Stephen O’Hagan and Derwent A’s John Thwaites battled it out. Thwaites receiving 9 points start produced his usual dogged play to frustrate his fellow skipper and with just a few colours remaining O’Hagan required snookers. The John Street player dug deep with a number of valiant snooker attempts but no matter how hard he tried he could not delay the inevitable as Thwaites eventually dispatched the balls he required to win 58-27 and take the match into a deciding frame.In the pressure cooker last frame two players who are no strangers to each other were to come together in John Streets Peter O’Hagan and Derwent A’s Vince Peet. As O’Hagan was giving away 21 points start the early part of the frame was vital and with both players adopting a safety first approach it was obvious to see the respect for each others ability they had. However with a fine long red it was Peet who was in first and with a coolly constructed break of 30 he held an authoritative position. After a few shots were traded O’Hagan finally got the chance he was looking for but from a position of 50 points behind every shot was a crucial one. He reached 20 but a poor positional shot from green to red left him with a difficult cut into the corner pocket. This proved to be one step too far as a subsequent miss was to be O’Hagan’s last chance and after a couple of nervy exchanges Peet finally dispatched the balls he required to deliver an unforgettable 67-27 win and take the sevens title back to Keswick.Thanks to the Railway Club and its staff in providing an excellent venue and to Barry Collins for providing the buffet.

Week 20 matches - 25th Febuary 2009

John St. retain Div 1 title and Ellbra have one hand on the cup

This week the penultimate matches in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League produced some interesting results leaving a lot to play for in both divisions, however congratulations must go to John Street Club as with 3-3 home draw against Keswick’s Derwent A they retained their Division 1 title.A great match that contained numerous frame winning breaks from both sides firstly saw Derwent A cueist Rob Sim record breaks of 41 & 28 alongside team mate Vince Peet who also added a contribution of 46 to his impressive break aggregate total. As stylish as the Keswick players had been John Streets Peter O’Hagan over shadowed them both with a 68 break to keep him in with a chance of stealing the division break aggregate prize from Railway’s Kevin Basnett.Other matches in Division 1 start with the Railway Club exercising a few earlier season demons with a 4-2 home win against a Station Road side that now require other results to go in their favour to avoid relegation back to Division 2.Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre produced yet another break aggregate contribution, this time 30, to start his team off on a winning note. This was eventually converted into a 5-1 home victory against relegated Workington Legion and put his team’s survival chances in their own hands.In the last game of the division home side Maryport Social A defeated Seaton 4-2 to tie in third place on 72 points with Derwent A.In Division 2 Ellbra put one hand on the trophy with a 4-2 home win against wooden spoon placed Trades Hall.With much at stake the match begun cautiously as both Ellbra’s Tony Lambert and Trades’ Frank Peel adopted the safety first policy, however it was the Ellbra player who found the necessary impetus to eventually win a low scoring encounter, 38-19.The second frame took a much more fluent approach with Trades’ Captain John McGee producing some fine potting all through the game to lead Ellbra’s Craig Anderson by 21 points with just 18 remaining. This did not dishearten Anderson and with a successful snooker he was back in the game. The Ellbra cueist then dispatched the blue but unfortunately found himself out of position on the pink. A safety battle ensued and after a few shots each it was Trades’ McGee who was offered the first chance. Unaffected by his earlier winning position wobble McGee produced one of the shots of the night to dispatch frame ball pink with ease and record a 51-34 win.Ellbra’s Martin Murray hung onto his hopes of claiming the division 2 leading player title in the next with a grinding victory over Trades’ Albert Fisher, 52-12 and take the match score to 2-1 in favour of the Maryport side.In the next frame Trades’ Glenn Dobie took on Ellbra’s captain fantastic Keith Anderson. Some inspirational play from both players made for a good game but with Dobie slightly the stronger of the two competitors a Trades point looked on the cards. However with just an easy pink required a surprising miss followed and in mopping up the last two balls Anderson went onto win 50-45.The fifth frame of the night saw Ellbra’s David Perry use his league experience to the max by out classing helpless Trades cueist Morris Ennis to deliver 49-20 win and take the score to 4-1 to Ellbra.Even though the match result was assured, and unknown to him at the time, a win from Ellbra’s Pat Walton was enough to see his side claim the Division 2 title. An even contest developed against Trades’ Dennis Pettit and with just the black left the frame and the championship were still in the balance. After a number of safety shots a trademark quick fire pot was dispatched from Ellbra’s Walton only to see white drop into the corner pocket for a 42-35 Pettit win and take the preceding into the final week.Fifth placed Derwent B’s mini run continued with an excellent 4-2 home win against fourth placed Clifton. Unfortunately this is a case of too little to late for the Keswick side as this result now guarantees their opponents playoff spot.  The best performance of the evening came from Derwent B’s Chris D’Leny, as in delivering a superb 38 break he overcame Clifton’s Trebles winner Gary Mattinson.With probably the team performance of the season away side Maryport Social B defeated Flimby 5-1 to put them in with a slim chance of upsetting Ellbra’s title party plans. Social B heavyweights Paul Lister and Ryan Ismay proved why they are one and two in the divisions break aggregate table with contributions of 36 & 43 respectively in their impressive frame wins.The final game of the division resulted in a 5-1 away win for Senhouse A against Glasson Rangers. This victory puts the Workington side in a promotional shootout position with Maryport Social B as they face each other in next weeks final fixture.The Individual Handicap KO final will be played on Thursday 12th March in John Street Club, Workington. This will be contested between Flimby’s Mike Walker and Maryport Social A’s Alan Moore.Week 19 matches - 18th Febuary 2009Rampant Seaton extinguish relegation worriesWith two matches left in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League division 1 outfit Seaton Legion extinguished any relegation worries they may have had with a relief inducing 5-1 home win against a precariously placed Senhouse B.The first frame of the evening started as Seaton’s Scott Messenger produced a flurry of fine pots to build a sizable lead against Senhouse’s form player Shaun Ayre. Even though Ayre dug deep he could find no answer to his Legion opponent’s self-assured start as Messenger eventually went onto win, 54-21.In the next it was the turn of a Senhouse player to start well as Frank Hewer pulled off his own string of exceptional pots. Unfortunately for the Senhouse side this was to be point at which the similarities with the first game was to end as Legionnaire Paul Mostyn stepped up the tempo to record to two contributions in the twenties to pull through and win, 49-11.With the home side leading 2-0 Seaton’s Lee Messenger emulated his brothers’ earlier display as with just about every pot he was presented with he dispatched beautifully, and with Senhouse’s Andy Aitken taking the view of enough is enough he was soon to offer his hand in defeat, 65-26.In frame four Legion’s Mark Tatton produced great pot after great pot as he steamrollered past Senhouse’s Neil Bower to take the match result beyond doubt with 69-9 win.At 4-0 the Legionnaires were flying and just at the point where a little calm was expected Seaton’s Karl Newton launched them into orbit. Newton inaugurated the frame with a cool break of 27, which only ended as he sportingly owned up to a foul no one else saw. Senhouse opponent Nigel Carruthers spiritedly hung in all the way to the colours but it was the Legion cueist who classily finished off with a clearance of 27 to win, 77-36.With the whitewash on the cards Senhouse A needed a calm head to soothe the pain and in Barrie Haigh they couldn’t have pick a more experienced player. One of the league’s elder statesmen put his know-how to full affect as with a superb all round display he beat Seaton’s Alan Evans 57-17 to conclude a fine evening’s play and put a potential Senhouse B relegation avoidance point on the board. Division 1 title holders John Street produced their second 6-0 win in as many weeks, this time away to Station Road club. This is as good as a result for the probable champions as bad as it is for their now shakily placed opponents.Second placed Railway club could not follow up last week’s fine victory against Maryport Social A as a 3-3 away draw against Derwent A now leaves them with a mountain to climb if they are to lift the trophy they claimed in 2006. During the evening there were some significant performances from both sides. Firstly from Railwayman Paul Graham as with a 26 break he defeated distinguished Keswick opponent Vince Peet and secondly from Derwent’s Paul Killingley as with a 28 break from 30 behind he overcame disappointed Railway cueist Neil Henderson.The last game of the division saw Maryport Social A guarantee their place in the top 4 playoffs with a 5-1 away win against Workington Legion, who now incidentally require 10 out of their last 12 frames and other results to go in their favour to avoid relegation.In division 2 Ellenborough overpowered fellow title challengers Clifton with a 5-1 away win and with the Maryport side facing wooden spoon placed Trades Hall next week any sort of result will see them become champions with a game in hand.Maryport Social B now looks like the only side in with a chance of toppling their town rivals with a 4-2 home win against seventh placed Glasson Rangers. Even though this now makes the Social outfit favourites to be promoted they still cannot take their eye off the ball with just two fixtures left. In the match Social’s Ryan Ismay added a frame winning contribution of 30 to his break aggregate total to close the gap on team mate Paul Lister, this all being for a trophy they shared last year.To round off the weeks matches Derwent B vanquished Trades Hall to cling onto their now slim chances of a top 4 playoff place with a 4-2 away win against Trades Hall and finally with Senhouse A defeating Flimby Club 4-2 at home this now sees the Workington side looking as assured for the playoff places as the village side look doubtful.

Week 18 matches - 11th Febuary 2009

Flimby hang onto top 4 hopes

This week in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League Division 2 side Flimby club produced a confident 5-1 home win against strugglers Trades Hall to keep their slim chances of a top 4 playoff place alive.In the first frame an early advantage was gained by Flimby youngster Paul Vickers with a small contribution of 18 but with dogged play all the way to the green Trades’ Frank Peel kept himself in the frame. Some fine safety play from both players ensued, however an unforced error from Peel soon followed to allow Vickers to mop up the ball he required to win the frame, 52-29.Flimby’s Mike Walker showing some great form of late found a worthy opponent in the shape of Trades’ Glenn Dobie in the next. Both players traded punches throughout the frame and with just the blue, pink and black left only a few points could separate them. Nevertheless it was Walker who turned on the style to pot blue to black and eventually win the frame, 67-44.With the match score at 2-0 to Flimby Trades’ skipper John McGee showed some terrific determination to peg back self-assured Flimby cueist Wayne Dustin, but with a rapid fire 20 break towards the end of the frame it was Dustin who quickly quashed any hopes McGee had and finally won the tie 57-12.Flimby’s Sean Oliphant and Trades’ Kenny Fearon showed great respect for each other with some fine tactical play in the next but as a majority of the balls ran safe a war of attrition developed. With this in mind the contest was inevitably heading in the direction of the last few colours and with a fine pot on the pink it was Fearon who put the point on the board with a for his team with a 49-37 win.Flimby captain Geoff Banton was swiftly out of the blocks in the fifth frame of the evening to establish an early 20 point lead against Trades’ Maurice Ennis. This did not discourage the Trades’ cueist and as just the blue remained he was still in the game. Unfortunately this determination was unrewarded as what turned out to be an ill-fated in-off presented Banton with a difficult frame ball blue. Wasting no time Banton rubbed salt into the wounds as he dispatched the pot of the night to seal the match victory with a 57-39 win.The final frame of the night saw Flimby’s Dave ‘Fluffy’ Teasdale pile the pressure on Trades’ Albert Fisher with some assured potting, and with just a few reds remaining it was quite clear he was holding all the aces. An upset never looked on the cards and as Fisher faced the blue a concession was offered to Teasdale who greatly accepted for a 53-20 win.Division 2 title favourites Ellenborough battled out a hard fought 3-3 draw against derby opponents Maryport Social B. The first frame saw confident Social player Ryan Ismay defeat Ellbra’s Tony Lambert convincingly but with some excellent all round play from Ellbra’s Craig Anderson the tie was quickly level at 1-1.After last weeks surprising loss, Ellbra’s linchpin Martin Murray was back to his majestic best with a victory over Pete Donachy but the match score was soon all square again as Social’s Andrew Henderson made the most of his opportunities against injured Ellbra cueist Alan Petrie.Ellbra skipper Keith Anderson came out on top in the next against Social’s Paul Alford to pinch the match advantage and with the last frame of the tie well underway a victory looked highly likely. However lady luck was not on Ellbra’s Pat Walton’s side and with Social’s Division 2 break aggregate leader Paul Lister taking full advantage he kept his side in one of the promotion places.Travelling fourth placed Senhouse A defeated second placed Clifton Lions 4-2 to increase their chances of promotion and in the final tie of the division even though Derwent B defeated Glasson 5-1 at home, chances of a top 4 playoff spot for the Keswick cueist’s still look slim.In division 1 John Street powered their way to a 6-0 home victory against a Workington Legion side that probably require some divine intervention if they are avoid the drop into division 2. The most notable performances of the evening came from John Street’s newly crowned County Doubles Champion Peter O’Hagan and team mate Steve Buchanan in the form of 39 & 31 breaks respectively in their imposing frame wins.Second placed Railway Club won three black ball games in their auspicious 5-1 away win against top 4 rivals Maryport Social A. Even though Railway’s Kevin Basnett produced a 30 break in his convincing frame win the performance of the night had to go to team mate Gary Clague. In beating Social’s former County Champion Ivor Messenger on one of the aforementioned black balls, it will certainly go down as one of the shocks of the season.Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre continued his fine form of late with a cool frame winning break of 33 to record his sixth break aggregate total contribution this season. This however wasn’t enough to spur his team on as they crashed to 5-1 home defeat against Keswick’s now third placed Derwent A.Even though Station Road Club went down 4-2 away to Seaton Legion, this improved their chances of avoiding relegation as they moved up one place in the table to now stand tied for sixth with Senhouse B.

Week 17 matches - 4th Febuary 2009

John Street continue to impress

This week in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League John Street club preserved their position at the top of the Division 1 table with another commanding 4-2 home win this time against Maryport Social A.The match started with Social’s vastly experienced John Fleming using his tactical knowledge to out point frustrated John Street captain Stephen O’Hagan, 48-25, so much so that by the time the second frame started he was minus a tip.The next frame was to be the most exciting of the evening as the tie between John Street’s Mark Tunstall and Maryport’s Alan Moore saw the lead exchange many times and with just the black remaining there was nothing to separate them. A cool nerve was required and with Tunstall equal to the task the last ball was dispatched effortlessly for a 49-46 win.The third frame of the night was as shocking as the second frame was exciting. In his performance of the season so far John Street’s Stuart Ryan produced some truly awesome snooker to defeat helpless Social player Julian Plaza, 62-31.With the match score now 2-1 to the John Street side the next frame carried much weight. Social’s snappily dressed Sal Cakmak had chances throughout the game but could not recreate the kind of form he has produced in recent weeks. Taking full advantage John Street’s Tony Elliott picked off the balls he required to win comfortably, 58-29, and record his ninth victory on the spin and maintain his third place in the division 1 leading player standings.As the next frame between John Street’s Peter O’Hagan and Social’s Kevin Henderson was forfeited in favour of the John Street player the match score was quickly at 4-1.In the last frame of the evening Social’s Ivor Messenger offered his team some consolation to defeat out of sorts John Street cueist Simon Frazer, 53-22 and boost his own mini run to seven wins in a row.Senhouse B produced one of the results of the week with a 3-3 away draw against title challengers Railway club. In the last frame of the evening Senhouse B cueist Shaun Ayre followed up his comprehensive win over John Street’s County Singles finalist Peter O’Hagan last week with an equally inspired performance, this time against division 1 league leading player Kevin Basnett. In recording a contribution of 28 in his win this now sees Ayre move into seventh place in the break aggregate table.In seventh place and occupying one of the two relegation places Station Road made the most of their home advantage by beating last placed Workington Legion 4-2. A good result for the Station Road side as it closes the gap on sixth placed Senhouse B by a point; however the team was not entirely satisfied as they had occupied a 4-0 lead.Seaton Legion in need of a little luck at the moment suffered their third 4-2 loss in a row this time against Derwent A. A travelling Seaton outfit started well against as Legionnaire Paul Mostyn defeated Paul Killingley and Mark Tatton presided over Keswick’s Vince Peet, incedently his first loss since the beginning of November. However in showing determination personified a barrage of lakeside breaks followed in the shape of 25, 27 & 25 from Carl Arthur, Steve Hodgson & Andrew Sharpe respectively in their impressive frame wins. This certainly hurt the Legion side and with a typically gutsy performance from Derwent A captain John Thwaites against fellow skipper Alan Cannan the win was soon complete.In division 2 Ellenborough produced a remarkable comeback to hang onto their top spot with a 3-3 draw against Glasson from a position of 3-0 down. The most significant result of the evening came from Glasson’s Paul Hoad as defeated Ellenborough’s Martin Murray. This loss sees Murray drop into second place in the division 2 leading player standings for the first time this season.Battling it out in the promotion stakes, Clifton produced an excellent away result in the shape of a 4-2 victory against Maryport Social B to trade places in the table and move into second spot five points behind Ellenborough. Unknown to him at the time, a win for Clifton’s Richard Nelson against Maryport’s star of the future Ryan Ismay now sees him occupy first place in the division 2 leading player rankings. Tied for fifth place on 44points going into their match, Flimby and Derwent B could not be separated on the night either. A 3-3 draw probably did neither side any favours as both teams now have a lot to do if they are to make the playoff places. In the last match of the week and also unknown to them at the time, home side Senhouse A made the most of the aforementioned draw with a 5-1 over Trades Hall to strengthen their playoff chances.

Week 16 matches - 28th January 2009

Clifton win trebles

This week in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League the newly formatted trebles handicap tournament sponsored by www.getnoticedonline.co.uk went to Division 2 Clifton Lions players Mike Middlehurst, Luke Naylor and teenager Gary Mattinson.  This was the first time the competition had been run in this way with eleven teams battling it out over three, six red frames, aggregate scores. All matches were played on one evening on a two table format in Workington Legion, which proved to be an excellent venue for such an event (thanks to all the Legion staff).In the final the 3 man Lions A players lived up to their name sakes as they showed tremendous courage to overcome one of the pre tournament favourites in Railway B cueists Kevin Basnett, Steve Garroway and Barry Collins.Clifton A youngster Gary Mattinson started the match well for his side as he quickly added 15 points to his 23 start to lead by nearly 40. With his back against the wall Basnett dug deep to claw a considerable amount of this deficit back, but in this quick fire format he ran out opportunities and was eventually defeated 45-40.In the next frame Railway B cueist Barry Collins could do nothing to stop inspired Lions’ player Mike Middlehurst as with some superb potting he made the most of his 13 points start to romp to a 67-17 win.With the substantial advantage his team had left him coupled with a 12 point start Clifton’s Luke Naylor started the final frame 67 points in front of Railway’s Steve Garroway, a tall order considering the 6 red format only offered 75 points. Within the first few shots of the frame it was clear that it was going to be the Lions’ cueist’s night, as after only a few pots from Naylor Railwayman Garroway required snookers and sportingly offered his hand in concession.The semi finals had also produced some exciting matches and in the first match Clifton’s tie against John St club went all the way to the final black. After a nail biting exchange Lions player Gary Mattinson duly obliged to defeat John Street Peter O’Hagan and make the most of the excellent position his team mates had left him in.The other semi was also a thrilling affair with two teams from the Railway club meeting. Railway A side consisting of Steven Little, Paul Graham and Peter Collins started well as with a coolly constructed clearance of 32, the highest break of the night, Little defeated league team mate Barry Collins convincingly. This advantage was reduced somewhat in the next, as Kevin Basnett with the aid of a couple of unlucky in off’s from opponent Paul Graham, managed to claw back the aggregate scores to almost level. With the scene set the final frame delivered a nip and tuck affair but with just the brown remaining Railway B competitor Steve Garroway faced a tough snooker laid by Peter Collins. The escape Garroway delivered proved to be decisive, as an outrageous swerve shot left Collins in trouble and the resultant leave allowed Garroway to mop up and move his team into the final.The quarter finals threw up some fascinating ties starting with Railway A defeating Social B side Paul Alford, Paul Lister & Colin Sealby to progress to the semi’s, but only after a great pot on the final ball of the match by Railway A’s Steve Little. Other quarter finals saw Railway A advance with a victory over Flimby and John Street steamroller Seaton side Mark Tatton, Paul Mostyn and Karl Newton.The last quarter final match brought host club side Workington Legion up against Clifton A and, unknown to the Lions side at the time, a close fought win ended up being a vital piece in their journey towards the title.In the league, Division 2 side Clifton Lions rode on the back of their previous night’s confidence, as with a frame winning break of 27 in the first game from Lions’ Richard Nelson his team  powered to a 5-1 home win against Glasson to close the gap on the top two teams by a point.Ellenborough maintained their top spot in Division 2 with a 4-2 home win against Flimby and with only five games left they now look a certainty for promotion.Other Division 2 matches delivered a 4-2 away win for second placed Maryport Social B against bottom side Trades Hall and a 4-2 away win for Senhouse A against a Derwent B to dent the Keswick side’s chances of making the top four playoff’s.In Division 1 Maryport Social A cueist Alan Moore sustained his excellent level of form with breaks of 30 & 29 in his impressive frame win and with Ivor Messenger galvanising this with his own contribution of 29, home side Social A dominated in defeating Station Road Club, 6-0.John Street clinically brushed aside host team Senhouse B 4-2 and by the same scoreline the Railway club produced probably their best away performance this season in conquering a frustrated Seaton Legion outfit.In the last game of the week Derwent A cemented their place in the top four with a 4-2 away win against Workington Legion and now only a dramatic slide in fortunes would surely prevent them from making the playoff’s.

Week 15 matches - 21st January 2009

Railway keep title hope alive

Clifton win treblesIn the Cockermouth & District Snooker League, Division 1 side Railway Club repaired some of the damage caused by John Street Club last week with a 5-1 home win against relegation placed Workington Legion.The first frame of the evening can often be the one to set the tone and with Legion cueist Gary Fitzwilliam requiring just one of the remaining three balls an early match advantage looked to be going his side’s way. However with Railwayman Craig Davies having other thoughts he manufactured probably the three finest pots of the frame to preside on the black, 52-40.In confident mood of late Railways Neil Henderson continued to show the kind of form that has kept him in the top 10 player averages all season by out pointing Legionnaire Chris Hunter in the next. Steady play early on followed by some superb potting on the colours was enough to see Henderson over the line, 51-21.Railway’s Steven Little produced some of his trademark long potting in the third frame of the match to dishearten Legion player Paul McWalters. An early advantage gained by Little was the launch pad needed to eventually see the accurate Railway cueist win convincingly, 51-15.With the score at 3-0 to the Railway Club confidence was high and with Railwayman Steve Garroway in full attacking mode as a result of this he delivered one good pot after another to record a fine break of 45. This deficit proved too much for Legion Captain Eric McMullen to overcome and he eventually tumbled to a 72-2 defeat.Next to take the table was Railway’s Captain and high break leader Kevin Basnett against Legion stalwart Morris Wigham. The very first shot was to prove the key in this tie, as after Wigham broke the balls a confident Basnett got straight into his stride to with a quick fire contribution of 28. As Basnett’s potting continued an up set never looked on the cards and he finally won the frame, 66-20.The Railwaymen were now looking for the whitewash but Legion cueist Mark Lavin had other ideas. Capable of beating anyone on his day Lavin mirrored the previous frame’s start with his own break of 28. An out of sorts Railway player Barry Collins could do nothing to counter this and Lavin went on to record his sixth win in eleven, 75-17 to offer his team some consolation.Also in Division 1 John Street Club maintained their position as leaders with a 4-2 away win against Seaton Legion. Notable contributions of the evening came in the shape of 44 and 38 breaks from John Street’s Tony Elliott and Mark Tunstall respectively.Maryport Social A’s Ivor Messenger turned back the clock with the week’s highest break, 68. This gave his team the necessary momentum to push on to a 4-2 away win which enabled them to leapfrog their opponents, Derwent A into third spot in the table.The last match of division 1 saw home side Station Road produce the comeback of the week as from 3-0 down they dug deep to force a 3-3 draw with Senhouse B. This result emphasises the position both teams still hold in the table, tied for sixth now on 32 points each.In Division 2 Ellenborough continued their relentless onslaught toward the title with an impressive 4-2 away win against one of the division’s pre-season favourites, Senhouse A. This now sees the Maryport side on top by five points.Maryport Social B held onto their second place with a fighting 4-2 home win against Lakesiders Derwent B, which surprisingly for the Maryport side, on current form, included no breaks over 25.Trades Hall produced only their second win of the season, 4-2 away to Glasson. However with just four points between them and their opponents the gap at the bottom of the table is closing.With Clifton Lions looking to have put their mid season dip behind them of late, a 4-2 defeat against sixth placed Flimby Club put a huge dent in their title hopes to slip into third place, now seven points behind leaders Ellenborough club.

Week 14 matches - 14th January 2009

Social A continue break barrage

Second placed division 2 outfit Maryport Social B kept up their title momentum with a superb 4-2 away win against a very experienced Senhouse A side. The Social players piled on the pressure in the break making department with Paul Lister adding two 27 breaks and Ryan Ismay one of 29 in their impressive frame wins. This confirmed that in amongst the balls the Maryport side are a match for anyone as five of their players now occupy places in the top ten of the division 2 break aggregate statistics.In the next match, by winning the first two frame by the odd point Glasson Rangers gained the necessary advantage to carry them through to a 4-2 away win against a fighting Flimby side, which incidentally reverses their earlier season defeat by the same scoreline.Ellenborough continued their onslaught towards the division 2 championship with a 4-2 away win against fifth placed Derwent B. This victory sees the Maryport side now on an unbeaten run stretching back to the end of October. If Clifton Lions needed a result to reaffirm their title aspirations then a 6-0 home win against a struggling Trades Hall side certainly ticked all the right boxes as they moved into a tie for second spot with break makers Maryport Social B.In division 1 John Street only added to the Railway Club’s previous night’s pain with a 4-2 home win to move four points clear at the top of the table. League leading players Peter O’Hagan (John St.) and Railways Kevin Basnett both made contributions of 33 in their commanding frame wins to trade punches in adding to their already substantial break aggregate totals. The match result certainly hurt the Railways boys as the wounds were still open from the aforementioned evening’s 4-2 Team KO defeat, especially as both match score lines had the potential to go either way.   Senhouse B started their away fixture against Maryport Social A well as Senhouse player Neil Bower produced a number of pressure pots on the colours to defeat confident Social cueist Sal Cakmak from 20 points behind with just the colours remaining. If any side needed a player to quell any impending upset then Maryport’s former County Snooker Champion Alan Moore would be the man most teams would pick. An early 36 break from Alan, only stopped by an unfortunate split on the pack of reds, was enough to level the score at 1-1.With wins from Social’s Julian Plaza and another former county champion Ivor Messenger, with a 29 break, the score was quickly at 3-1.The best frame of the night was contested between Maryport old hand John Fleming and Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre. After Fleming had took a 20 point lead to the last red the game looked all but over, nevertheless after a fluke on the final red by Senhouse’s Ayre he subsequently potted his way to a frame ball brown. A surprising miss ensued and two fine pots later this time it was Social’s Fleming who presented himself with a match winning pink. As this eluded him it was obvious that the pressure was now showing in both players, but with Fleming holding himself together he eventually crossed the line first with a supreme black to win the frame and match.Senhouse’s Captain David Petrie offered some consolation in the final frame of the evening with a fine win over Social A’s Steven Armstrong, 48-12.Derwent A moved menacingly into third spot with an assured 5-1 away win against a resilient Station Road side. Notable performances of the evening start with a break of 28 from Station Road’s Clive Lister, on the contrary this was not enough to overcome hardy Keswick opponent Andrew Sharp. This contribution was then surpassed by the highest break of the week, a 44, from lakesider Paul Killingley as swept aside Station Road Iron Man Keith Telford.Finally, Seaton Legion put some distance between themselves and the relegation places in division 1 with a 4-2 home win against a resurgent Workington Legion Side.

Week 13 matches - 7th January 2009

Social A suffer no Xmas hangover

Division 1 side Maryport Social A showed no signs of any Xmas hangovers in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League this week with a 4-2 away win against Seaton Legion.The match started well for the legionnaires as Scott Messenger continued to display some of the fine potting he has exhibited throughout the season to defeat out of sorts Social cueist Steven Armstrong, 59-18.The second frame of the evening was decided with the aid of a faultless break of 27 from Seaton’s county doubles quarter finalist Paul Mostyn as he powered to a 56-23 win against Maryport’s Cockermouth & District league old timer John Fleming.At 2-0 to the Legion side a sound performance was required to stop the rot and in Social’s Julian Plaza a more steadfast player could not have taken the table. Experience was to tell as an early advantage gained by Plaza was converted into a convincing 56-13 victory over powerless Seaton Legion cueist Steven Creer.Maryport’s Sal Cakmak cued as well as he has done all season in the next with an unrelenting 55-25 win over Seaton’s Karl Newton to level the match score at 2-2.As the match advantage had swung, Social’s Former County Champion Ivor Messenger was in no mood to let this slip and with execution personified he forged his way to a terrific 67-29 triumph over defenceless Legion player Alan Evans.The last frame of the evening carried much weight as the Legion outfit were trying to rescue an important draw as much as the Social side were seeking to convert a run of three frames into a crucial match win.Two former teammates were to battle this out, but as Social A’s Alan Moore produced a 34 break Legion’s Mark Tatton could do nothing counter this and Moore romped to a 60-18 victory, his ninth win in eleven games played.Other matches in Division 1 start with form side Derwent A producing their win of the season so far with a 4-2 home victory against top team John Street Club. This sees the Keswick team now riding on the back an unbeaten run stretching back to the middle of November. John Street’s Peter O’Hagan did not let the match scoreline affect his state of mind as with contributions of 35 & 30 he recorded his tenth and eleventh breaks over 25 in thirteen games played this season.Unaware of the aforementioned result the Railway Club closed the gap at the top to just two points with a 5-1 away win against Station Road Club. Notable performances during the evening came from Railway’s Kevin Basnett and Barry Collins with breaks of 26 and 25 respectively. Despite the runaway scoreline the night produced some drama, as in the fifth frame of the evening relieved Railwayman Neil Henderson was to fall over the line with help of a respotted black against Station Road’s Iron Man Keith Telford.The final game of the Division saw a Workington Legion side that had incidentally waited until their twelfth game of the season to record their first win follow this up with another, this time 4-2 against a travelling Senhouse B outfit.  In Division 2 probably the finest frame the Division has ever seen rounded of an excellent 4-2 home win for Maryport Social B against an improving Flimby Club side.  This was not before Maryport’s Ryan Barker and Andrew Henderson had laid down their team intentions with breaks of 30 & 31 respectively in their impressive frame wins. Nevertheless as the final tie took the table a close frame was always on the cards as Social’s Paul Lister and Flimby’s Mike Walker both occupied places in the divisions top 20 player averages. As Walker started self-assuredly with a contribution of 32 Lister was up against it but in producing the highest break of the division for some time, a 59, a superb end to a fine evening’s snooker was concluded.Ellenborough increased their lead at the top of the table by a point in defeating wooden spoon placed Trades Hall 5-1 away. In the only frame that the Maryport side lost an end to fine unbeaten run was relinquished as Trades’ Frank Peel put in his own performance of the season to defeat Ellbra 100% man Martin Murray.Third placed Clifton put a stop to a disappointing four match run with a belief inducing 4-2 home win against a tough Derwent B outfit and finally, home side Senhouse A cemented their place in the top four with a 6-0 thumping against a somewhat resurgent Glasson side of late.

Week 12 matches - 17th December 2008

Derwent B emerge from disappointing run

This week in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League Division 2 side Derwent B went into the Christmas break with a confidence boosting 5-1 home win against a struggling Trades Hall outfit.First to the table was Derwent B Captain Paul Lodge and after several early exchanges it seemed that neither Trades Hall opponent Denis Pettit nor Lakesider Lodge wanted to take control, nevertheless after some confident potting on the colours it was Pettit who took the game by the scruff of the neck to win on the pink, 42-34.Trades Hall Captain John McGee, trying to register only his second win of the season, came up against tactically aware Derwent B adversary Tom Mattinson in the second frame of the evening. After some good play from both players it was Mattinson who eventually crossed the line with some fine snooker on the colours to win the frame, 57-33.At 1-1 Keswick debutant Chris Rule proved what a fine acquisition he will be to the Derwent B side by making the highest break of the evening, 26, to oust Trades Hall challenger Frank Peel.In the next game Trades Hall player Graham Dobie looked to be adding to his played ten won six average with a 27 point lead going into the colours, but with an immensely resilient Derwent B foe Neil Tibbs having other thoughts, the game swung the other way with an impressive 68-56 win resulting.As the match was now in favour of the Keswick outfit experienced Derwent B player Joe Bell turned the screw in his frame against Trades Hall cueist Kenny Fearon by showing his know-how to cross the line first, 54-30 and secure the contest victory.In the final frame of the night Trades Hall player Albert Fisher gained an early upper had with a contribution of 15, but with Keswick player Mark Forsyth showing some great form Fisher was to score just another five points as Forsyth self-assuredly sealed the frame and match win 47-20.Other ties in division 2 start with fifth placed Flimby Club crashing to a 4-2 home defeat against a resurgent Senhouse A side.With a black ball win for Senhouse’s Allister Byers in the first and a devastating display by teammate Michael Poole in the third, the game always looked to be going in the direction of the Workington outfit. However as Mike Walker fell over the line in the second and with Flimby colleague and teenage sensation Paul Vickers winning on a respotted black in the fourth the game was in the balance.This was all soon nipped in the bud as vastly experienced Senhouse player Michael Pratt produced a 25 to win easily in the fifth and Tom Lawson rounded up victory for the Workington side in the last.Also in Division 2 Top side Ellenborough avenged their earlier season defeat to third placed Clifton with a 4-2 home win to increase their lead to four points.In the final match of the division Glasson Rangers continued their fine run with another notable performance, this time a 3-3 draw at home, against second placed Maryport Social B. The highlight of the match was a fine contribution of 28 by Social’s Andrew Henderson in his confident frame win.In division 1 an ominous looking John Street side also increased their lead at the top to five points with a crushing 6-0 win against a luckless Station Road outfit.Breaks of 26 & 31 by John Streets Peter O’Hagan and 25 by teammate Mark Tunstall only added to the pain as the Station Road side could find no resistance.Workington Legion finally got round to winning ways with a surprising 4-2 away win against third placed Maryport Social A. As good a result for the Legion side as bad as it was for the Social one.Derwent A proved again they are a match for anyone on their day, with a 3-3 away draw against second placed Railway. Probably a good result for both team’s on the night as the Keswick outfit had occupied a 3-0 lead.In the form of his life Derwent A player Vince Peet added the highest contribution of the week to his break tally with a 68 in his frame win; however with Railway’s Steve Garroway replying with a 29 and colleague Neil Henderson adding 25 to his aggregate the draw was fought out.The final contest of the week followed the same pattern as the previous match with Seaton Legion recovering from an identical 3-0 scoreline to draw 3-3 against relegation placed Senhouse B and move back into fifth place.

Week 11 matches - 10th December 2008

Station Road on formTop division side

Station Road Club produced their best result of the season so far in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League with a 5-1 home win over Seaton Legion to swap places with their division 1 rivals and move into fifth position in the table.In the first frame of the evening Station Road's Mike Walker and Seaton’s Alan Cannan seemed to be fairly well matched as with some steady potting from both players they could not be separated.As the frame drew to a close Cannan only required one of the three remaining balls to win but with this proving elusive it was Station Road’s Walker who managed to produce the necessary clearance to win the frame on the black, 53-52.Legion’s Scott Messenger again showed some glimpses of the fine play he is capable of by freezing out Station Road Captain Peter Collins in the next. An early lead gained was never to be relinquished as Messenger went on to win confidently, 61-21.With the match score at 1-1 Seaton’s Mark Tatton started his frame well with a studiously constructed break of 21,however this position of strength was to fade quickly as Station Road form player Clive Lister got into his stride. Once out of the blocks Lister could not be held back and even though Legion cueist Tatton offered some late frame resistance by obtaining one of the two snookers he required on the blue, the inevitable could not be delayed as Lister went on to win, 70-39.As the third frame of the evening got underway Legion’s Karl Newton could not find his potting touch and he could not have picked a more determined opponent in Station Road cueist Keith Telford who subsequently took full advantage of this. With some great early potting the Station Road Iron man went from strength to strength to win 62-23 and show his mettle once again.In the best frame of the evening Paul Johnston established an unanswered 30 point lead as the Station Road player’s awkward style proved difficult to break down for Legion cueist Paul Mostyn. With the next opportunity crucial an inevitable safety battle ensued; however an opening finally presented itself to Mostyn and with a break of 29 he was back in the frame. This spurred the Legion cueist on and with another opportunity offering itself very shortly afterwards the frame looked to be going the way of the Seaton player, but on a break of just nine he fouled the black by jumping over it and depositing the white to boot. This proved to be the turning point as Johnston subsequently turned the screw to grind out another victory for a 84-53 frame win.At 4-1 to Station Road and with the match win guaranteed Seaton stalwart Alan Evans opened the last frame of the night well with a small break of 16 still this was short lived as Station Road’s Mark Roberson returned sharply with his own contribution of 16. With the game finely balanced every shot was critical but as lady luck stepped in Seaton’s Evans found difficult to gain an opportunity. This seemed to dishearten the legionnaire somewhat and with Robertson feeding off this he took full advantage with some fine potting to seal the match victory with a 60-32 frame win.Also in Division 1 league leaders Railway Club crashed to a 4-2 home defeat against a Maryport Social A side packed with plenty of experience. The Railwaymen started well with a victory for Steven Little but with a 25 break from Social’s Julian Plaza the match score was soon at 1-1.The next saw Social veteran Ivor Messenger use his know-how to record his eight win in eleven games and with a break of 33, teammate Alan Moore was to inflict a first defeat of the season on Railway’s league leading player Kevin Basnett.At 3-1 to the Maryport side Railwayman Barry Collins was frozen out by Steven Armstrong but the final frame of the evening was to be the best. In first, Social’s John Fleming made a superb break of 31; however with a terrific contribution of 34 Railway’s Steve Garroway went onto win an important point and offer his side some consolation.Not knowing at the time John Street club took full benefit from the Railway club defeat with a 5-1 away win against Workington Legion to top the table for the first time this season.In the last match of the week in division 1 Derwent A proved yet again that they are a difficult team to break down with a 5-1 home win against Senhouse B.In Division 2 league leaders Ellenborough defeated second placed visitors Maryport Social B 4-2, to record their second derby win against the Social side this season and increase their lead at the top to three points.Glasson showed even further improvement this week with probably their best result of the season so far with a 4-2 home win against a Derwent B side who have now incidentally slipped down the table to sixth place since their week five second spot.Flimby’s Wayne Dustin produced the highest break in division 2 this week, 30, to help his side record a convincing 5-1 away victory against Trades Hall to move into fifth, their highest position so far this season.Finally the week was rounded off with a hard fought 3-3 draw between home side Senhouse A and Clifton Lions to retain their fourth and third positions respectively in the table.

Week 10 matches - 3rd December 2008

Glasson continue to improve

Division 2 outfit Glasson Club produced another great result this week in the Cockermouth and District Snooker League with a 3-3 draw against top side Ellenborough. This certainly underlined the bottom team’s resurgence and proved that last weeks draw against second placed Clifton was no fluke.

The evening started with Glasson player Richard Lewthwaite striking first and with Ellenborough’s Tony Lambert potting some great reds but unfortunately not managing to convert many colours, Lewthwaite kept an important lead with just the pink left. An easy pot left by Lambert was to give Lewthwaite a chance to clinch the frame but in potting the pink the Glasson player was to go in-off. The game now in the balance a wary approach by both players ensued but as difficult pink presented itself Lewthwaite took the bull by the horns to dispatch it confidently to preside, 52-42.

In frame two Glasson player Steven Thwaites was also to start well but as Ellenborough’s Alan Petrie started to find his form this lead quickly was eroded and with brown left Petrie was 20 points in front. An excellent pot by Thwaites followed; however this opportunity was lost as a mistake on the blue presented the frame to Petrie who eventually won 46-25.

With the score at 1-1 Ellenborough’s Craig Anderson combined superb potting with some measured safety to forge ahead early in his game, but with Glasson’s Craig Denwood feeding of the scraps the scores were almost level with just a few reds left.

Anderson regained his composure though and with blue, pink and black left Denwood could only draw. With fine pots on the blue and pink from Denwood to follow a respotted black seemed a real possibility; however a final twist in the frame was to go in favour of the Ellenborough player as Denwood missed the black completely attempting a fine cut to finally hand the frame to Anderson, 53-39. Up next Ellenborough’s Division 2 leading player Martin Murray showed why he has been so difficult to break down this season with another flawless performance to squeeze the life out of Glasson’s Keith Tweedie. With too much, Murray gained a 40 point lead with just the colours remaining forcing Tweedie to offer his hand and record his tenth win in ten games, 50-10.

The draw produced a battle of the captains in the fourth frame of the night as Ellenborough’s Keith Anderson took on Glasson’s Dave Chapman. A very cagey game from both players resulted in most of the colours finding their way to the cushions, nevertheless solid potting  from Chapman combined with a couple of unfortunate in-offs from Anderson allowed the Glasson player to establish an unassailable lead and eventually go onto win, 49-18.

With score now stood at 3-2 to Ellenborough, Glasson’s new recruit Paul Hoad was left with the difficult task of rescuing the tie and in shape of Ellenborough form player Patrick Walton this wasn’t going to be easy. Another cautious game developed but it was Hoad who sustained control and with only two balls left, again a respotted black remained a possibility. Hoad produced a fortunate safety from an attempted pot to leave Walton a tricky return. This proved to be decisive as two shots later a long pink was dispatched by Hoad to record a 48-29 win.

Other matches in Division 2 started with second placed Clifton and third placed Maryport Social B swapping positions, as a 4-2 away win for the Social side inflicted a first defeat on the Clifton outfit to really tighten things up at the top end of the table.

Derwent B put an end to their recent bad run with a 4-2 home victory against Flimby to stay in fifth, and with Senhouse A cueist Michael Pratt producing a 36 break in his team’s victory over Trades Hall by the same scoreline the Senhouse side also retained their fourth spot.  

In Division 1 John Street club produced an excellent 4-2 away win against Maryport Social A. This match produced yet another season’s remarkable achievement as in the fifth frame of the evening as John Street Peter O’Hagan recorded breaks of 52, 36 & 27 to win his tie comprehensively. The other notable achievement of the night also came from a John Street player in the form of Simon Frazer, as with a break of 42 in his frame against Maryport’s former County Champion Ivor Messenger he was to win convincingly.

The Railway Club squeezed out a 4-2 against hosts Senhouse B to ensure their position at the top of the table remained unchanged.

In the game between home side Seaton Legion and Keswick’s Derwent A a good comeback in the first frame from Mark Tatton, some superb play from Paul Mostyn in the second and with Alan Evans showing immense steeliness in the fifth frame they all recorded wins for the Legion side. Mostyn’s victory cannot go without reference to great piece of sportsmanship as during his frame he was to own up to a foul that no one else spotted proving that the game still possesses dignity.

On the other hand with wins from Keswick cueists Vince Peet, Paul Killingley and a terrific pink ball victory in the final frame of the evening from John Thwaites a 3-3 draw was thrashed out.

The final Division 1 match of the week also ended up in a draw as home side Workington Legion finally ended their duck with a 3-3 against Station Road club.

Week 9 matches - 26th November 2008

Basnett makes history

Workington Railway Club maintained their top spot in Division 1 of the Cockermouth and District Snooker League this week with a 4-2 home victory against a resilient Seaton Legion side; however the tie will always be remembered for a little piece of league history in the third frame of the match.

After a loose break off shot from Legion’s Steven Creer, Railway Club Captain Kevin Basnett was to produce the highest break in the 50 odd year history of the league with a magnificent contribution of 130 to generous applause from a small but appreciative Railway Club crowd.

Unfortunately a very difficult final black was to elude him but in no way did this take the shine off this remarkable single frame achievement.

The match started well for the Railwaymen, as in the first frame of the evening Steven Little produced the shot of the night on the final blue. A superb pot was produced and via three cushions position was gained to the inch on the pink which was then subsequently dispatched for a 60-49 frame win.

Next up Seaton’s Scott Messenger well and truly put the pressure on right from the first shot and with some fantastic potting he was to disappoint obstinate Railway cueist Paul Graham, 49-11.

After frame three drama Railway’s Neil Henderson continued his fine form to record his seventh win in eight games against creditable Legion opponent Paul Mostyn. Henderson frustrated throughout by delivering some excellent potting combined with some fine safety play to win, 65-13.

In frame five Seaton’s Karl Newton breathed life back into his team’s chances, as with an impressive 32 break he turned over accomplished Railway opponent Steve Garroway, 70 -38.

With the score reduced to 3-2 to the Railwaymen a composed performance was required by Railway cueist Barry Collins if he was to guarantee his team’s Division 1 top spot. Showing great self-control Collins turned a potentially tricky encounter against Legionnaire Alan Evans into victory by finishing his frame in style to wrap up the match win, 60-30.

Also in Division 1 John Street Club closed the gap at the top of the table against their Railway Club rivals to just a point, with a 5-1 home win against Senhouse B. The only notable contribution of the evening went to John Streets Mark Tunstall with a coolly constructed break of 44.

Derwent A bounced back from last weeks defeat to Maryport Social A with a 5-1 home win against Workington Legion. Even though the Workington side are propping up the table some close frame defeats swinging the other way could have seen a very different match scoreline. Two Derwent players, Chris Scott and Vince Peet, who have shown some great form this season continued in that vein by recording breaks of 30 & 25 respectively in their impressive frame wins.

Maryport Social A maintained their third position in the table with a 4-2 away win against a promoted Station Road outfit who have incidentally slipped down the table slightly since their fine start to the campaign.

In Division 2 Ellenborough marched on with a 4-2 victory against hosts Flimby Club to preserve their position at the apex of the table by two points.

The match started with a fluent win for Ellenborough’s Craig Anderson but that was quickly negated by an excellent frame victory from Flimby youngster Paul Vickers.

A 25 break from Flimby’s Mike Walker was enough to see the home side 2-1 up; however with Ellenborough’s Division 2 leading player Martin Murray up next the score was rapidly standing at 2-2.

Ellenborough’s safety aware Captain Keith Anderson cleverly captured the match advantage and with superb victory from teammate Pat Walton over Flimby Captain Geoff Banton the match win was complete.

Maryport Social B picked up the pace in the hunt for the Division 2 title, as with a 5-1 home victory against Trades Hall it now sees them tied for second place. The evening started well for the Social side as a frame winning break of 27 by Maryport’s Paul Alford in the first frame of the night proved to be the beginning of the end for the Workington outfit.

As one side emerges from the pack unfortunately another one slides and this proved evident as Derwent B slipped to their third successive 5-1 defeat, this time at the hands of home side Senhouse A who leapfrogged their opponents into fourth spot in the table.

The final match in Division 2 resulted in a 3-3 draw in the Glasson Rangers versus Clifton Lions tie. This result was as pleasing for the Glasson side as it was disappointing for the Clifton team who now require a good result next week at home to Maryport Social B to stop any sort of gap at the top of the division developing.

Week 8 matches - 19th November 2008

Clifton stay in touch

 

In Division 2 in the Cockermouth & District Snooker league Clifton Lions maintained their second position in the table with a hard fought 4-2 away win against Flimby Club this week.

The match started in fine fashion, as first frame between Flimby’s Ian Harrrison and Clifton’s Richard Nelson was to go all the way. Smaller contributions from both players early on was to keep the frame tight, but it was Harrison with some excellent potting who was to forge ahead sufficiently enough to require just the final brown for victory. Unfortunately this was to elude Harrison and with a coolly executed clearance it was the Clifton cueist who was to take the frame 58-52.

The next frame was to be a very one sided affair as some tremendous potting interspersed with a poor run of the ball from Flimby player Dave Teasdale was to see Clifton cueist Mike Middlehurst win convincingly, 64-13.

In another runaway start this time from Flimby Captain Geoff Banton a 30 point lead was established leaving Clifton’s Luke Naylor with much work to do if he was to continue his team’s charge.  There was no way Naylor was going to lie down and with a number of pots right out of the top drawer the lead was reduced. In spite of this there was no way Banton was going to allow this commanding position diminish and with a fantastic pot on the yellow followed by green and brown the frame win was complete, 49-16.

At 2-1 to the Clifton outfit the next frame of the evening saw Lions player Tony Dixon take on Flimby’s Mike Walker.  The start of the frame saw an early lead for Walker quickly wiped out as an unforced error was to let Dixon in amongst the balls. With the scores now almost level the Clifton cueist gained confidence and with some superb potting he was to leave Walker requiring snookers with the blue left on the table for a 56-32 win.

Flimby youngster Paul Vickers couldn’t have picked a tougher opponent in the next, as in Clifton’s Graham Renney he was to face an unbeaten record. Solid play by the Lions cueist saw him create a 24 point lead with just the green remaining. However, Vickers produced first-rate pots on the green and brown to set him up nicely, but a wobbled blue was to spoil this and Renney mopped up to maintain his perfect start to the season, 51-24.

Even though the match win had been sealed with the score at 4-1 to the Lions side there was no way Flimby’s Wayne Dustin was going to give away the final point of the tie as he faced Clifton’s Paul McAvoy. In first, Dustin established a lead he was never to give up, as with two smaller contributions he built an unassailable lead and eventually won the frame 44-13 and offer some consolation for the Flimby outfit.

Other matches in Division 2 start with leaders Ellenborough winning 4-2 at home against Senhouse A with Ellenborough’s Martin Murray producing a 26 break in his frame win to keep his 100% record and maintain his teams position at the pinnacle of the table.

Glasson’s Captain Dave Chapman produced the Division’s highest break of the week, a 35, to start the match well for his team. Even though Chapman’s break was enough to win his frame this could not prevent his side tumbling to another defeat, 4-2 away to Trades Hall, to remain at the foot of the table.

The final match in Division 2 ended with a 5-1 away win for Maryport Social B against Derwent B to increase the third placed Social side’s gap over their Keswick rivals to six points.

In Division 1 the Railway Club, aided by a break of 38 from Captain Kevin Basnett, romped to a 6-0 away win over Workington Legion to increase their lead at the top of the table to two points.

The tie between second placed John Street and fifth placed Seaton Legion produced a flurry of breaks with Legion players Mark Tatton and Paul Mostyn both delivering contributions of 25. Unfortunately this was not enough for either cueist to win and with John Street players Peter O’Hagan, Tony Elliott & Stephen O’Hagan making breaks of 39, 33 & 30 respectively in their frame victories a 5-1 home win was established.

The two remaining Division 1 matches produced a 5-1 home win for Senhouse B against Station Road Club, with host team player Shaun Ayre producing a frame winning break of 32 and a 4-2 win for Maryport Social A versus a travelling Derwent A side.

Week 7 matches - 12th November 2008

Maryport Social A stay in hunt

Division 1 side Maryport Social A kept the pressure on the top two teams with a terrific 5-1 away victory against Senhouse B in the Cockermouth & District Snooker league this week.

The match started well for the Workington side however, as with a quick fire break of 33 from Senhouse B’s Shaun Ayre he delivered a convincing win over Maryport Social A’s Julian Plaza, 82-23.

In frame two Maryport snooker veteran John Fleming build an early lead that he was never to surrender as he defeated Senhouse B’s David Petrie, 56-11.

With the match score at 1-1 Senhouse B’s Simon Burns was presented with a number of early opportunities through unforced errors from Maryport Social A’s Ivor Messenger but as his positional play eluded him he found it difficult to capitalise. As the contest developed Messenger gained confidence and with a steady contribution towards the end of the frame he was to win, 65-21.

The fourth game was to be the best frame of the night as Senhouse B’s Frank Hewer and Maryport Social A’s Kevin Henderson both started the tie well with contributions in the 20’s, however with some solid potting it was Henderson who forged ahead leaving his Senhouse opponent requiring one snooker with the colours remaining. This was not to deter Hewer, as a carefully executed snooker resulted in a frame winning opportunity being presented as in missing the yellow Henderson was to dislodge the only difficult ball on the table, the green, from the side cushion. Three fine pots followed but in missing a mid range blue this time it was Hewer who was to present his rival with a frame winning chance, with which Henderson duly obliged to prevail, 73-58.

With the score now at 3-1 to Maryport Social A, Senhouse’s Neil Bower was offered the difficult task of stopping the rot but in Social’s Alan Moore his resistance was to prove powerless as a well compiled break of 32 by Moore, which was incidentally only halted by an unfortunate in-off, was enough for the Maryport Social A player to eventually win, 61-19.

The final frame proved to be eventful as free ball mix up was to provide some late night controversy. An incorrectly potted free ball on the last red by Maryport Social A’s Sal Cakmak was to confuse himself, his Senhouse opponent Andy Aitken and the referee. Fortunately this was quickly resolved and not to be troubled by the situation it was Sal who finally disposed of the balls he required to take the frame, 60-32.

Other matches in Division 1 start with home side Derwent A romping to a 5-1 victory over Station Road Club with the game being highlighted by a 49 break from Derwent A’s Vince Peet in his win over Peter Collins.

The Railway Club made the most of their home advantage as with a 5-1 win over fellow title challengers John Street Club they still remain in control at the top of the table.

Even though the scoreline suggests an easy win for the Railwaymen this was certainly not the case and with the lack of any notable contributions from either side this without doubt demonstrates a much tighter affair.

Workington Legion continued with their miserable run of results as a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of fellow Legionnaires Seaton sees them firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and still searching for their first win.

The match saw some close finishes that all fell to the Seaton side. Firstly a break of 28 by Workington Legion’s Gary Fitzwilliam was enough to take his frame against Steven Creer to the final ball; however this was to elude him. Secondly cheeky double on the final pink by Seaton captain Alan Cannan was to prove decisive in victory over Morris Wigham and finally more pink ball pain was inflicted this time from Seaton cueists Paul Mostyn and Scott Messenger over Workington players Chris Hunter and Mark Lavin respectively to seal the match win.

The two Division 1 games postponed from last week, Railway versus Station Road Club and John Street Clubversus Derwent A certainly saw turnarounds on all four counts.

Firstly, with just a couple of hundred yards separating both clubs the Railway/Station Road tie had a real Derby contest feel. The match was to challenge a few friendships and in one instance a family allegiance had to be forgotten as Station Road’s Peter Collins dished out a fatherly lesson to son Barry to defeat the frustrated Railway player, 47-26.

This seemed to boost the Station Road players and with great wins from Paul Johnston and Shaun Moore the score was 3-1; however Railway cueists Steve Garroway and Kevin Basnett showed their class to force a 3-3 draw with Basnett making a 51 break to boot.

In the other postponed game John Street Club wiped away all memories of their defeat to the Railway club just twenty four hours earlier with a thumping 6-0 home win against Derwent A.

The match was to see two milestones achieved in the same frame, the first being the highest break of the season so far, a 77 by John Street’s Peter O’Hagan and secondly in his 82-0 victory over Steven Hodgson the hapless Derwent A cueist was the first player this season to register a duck.

The other notable contribution of the evening kept the week’s family theme going with a 30 break from O’Hagan brother Stephen in his win over Derwent A’s Carl Arthur.

In Division 2 with home side Ellenborough winning 5-1 against Derwent B and travelling side Clifton only managing to take four points out of six from Trades Hall, the Maryport outfit are now clear at the top of the division by a point.

Maryport Social B made the most Derwent B’s result as with a 4-2 home victory over Senhouse A they leapfrogged their lakeside rivals from fourth to third.

The final match of the week saw hosts Flimby Club win 4-2 to inflict yet another defeat on a struggling Glasson side to improve one place in the table and tie for fifth.

Week 6 matches - 5th November 2008

SKILLEN DELIVERS FINE COMEBACK

This week in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League Division 2 leaders Clifton travelled to second placed Derwent B with a fine 3-3 draw being battled out.

In a hard fought contest the match was definitely highlighted by a pressure break of 29 by Derwent B’s Liam Skillen in his frame against Clifton’s Mike Middlehurst. Needing all the remaining balls to win, Skillen’s break took the game all the way to the black. This unfortunately eluded him at his first attempt but after some solid safety play he created the chance he needed and duly obliged to win on the final ball, 52-45.

Fine clearance: Derwent B's Liam Skillen (photo)

Other matches in Division 2 saw home side Ellenborough win 5-1 against Trades Hall and Maryport Social B defeat Flimby 4-2 away to see both Maryport sides remain in second and fourth positions respectively.

The final match saw Senhouse A take the spoils 5-1 at Glasson to make their presence felt as genuine title contenders after a slow start to the season.

There were only two matches played in Division 1 as John Street versus Derwent A and Railway versus Station Road were both postponed until next week.

This gave Maryport Social A a chance to catch up on the top two and with a 5-1 victory at home to Seaton Legion they closed the gap at the top to just two points.

The final tie in Division 1 brought Senhouse B and Workington Legion together. In the second frame of the match Nigel Carruthers constructed a 30 break in his 77-9 frame victory over Ian Torley. This was the tonic home side Senhouse B needed and they kicked on to win the match 4-2 and put a little daylight between the bottom two sides.

Week 5 matches - 29th October 2008

RAILWAY CLUB STAY ON TRACK

This week in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League the Railway Club produced a fine 4-2 victory at Derwent A to remain at the top of the Division 1 table. Even though this was the first defeat of the season for the lakesiders they still retained their third spot and at this early stage in the season they are most definitely still in the title hunt.

The match begun with Railway County pool star Leigh Musgrave switching codes for the evening to take on undefeated Derwent A cueist Chris Scott. The frame started well for Musgrave and with some confident potting an early 20 point lead remained all the way through to the last red. There was no way Scott was going to surrender his unbeaten record easily and with some first-rate potting of his own the lead was reduced to 10 and with just the blue, pink and black remaining the frame was in the balance. However facing a trick blue into the top corner pocket, Musgrave dispatched it with ease to enable him to win 51-29.

In frame two Derwent A’s Paul Killingley made few mistakes and in potting just about every ball he was presented with, frustrated Railway player Barry Collins was left requiring a snooker with just brown to black left. A great snooker by Collins preceded but with an equally great escape to follow by the Keswick player it proved enough for Killingley to impose a first defeat of the season, this time on a Railway player to win 60-30.

At 1-1 the match well and truly caught fire as Derwent A’s former County singles quarter finalist Vice Peet and Railway’s former County singles semi- finalist Steve Garroway took the baize. An early lead of 20 by the Keswick player looked ominous but with a studiously constructed break of 38, Railway’s Garroway forged ahead. The game looked all but over but as  Peet produced fine pots on the yellow, green & brown while maintaining prime position on the blue the tides appeared to have turned as it was now Garroway who looked to be heading towards defeat; conversely a surprising jaw dropping miss ensued and it was Garroway who mopped up to win 68-55.

Missed blue: Derwent A cueist Vince Peet (photo)

Next up Derwent A captain John Thwaites was the third player of the evening to be taking the 12x6 trying to protect an unbeaten record, this time against Railway’s Neil Henderson. With two players adopting similar styles this was always going to be a close one and in a blow for blow encounter it was Henderson who held the slimmest of margins with just three colours remaining.  Excellent pots on the blue and pink by the Keswick captain presented him with a long black to maintain his record, nevertheless Thwaites’ attempt was to miss by some way and in making its way to the baulk end of the table it was to fall on the edge of the corner pot of which Henderson duly obliged to win, 45-44.

With the score at 3-1 to the Railway Club something special was required if the Keswick side were to avoid defeat. In the frame between Railway’s Paul Graham and Derwent A’s Steve Hodgson Graham had remained in control throughout as Hodgson required a snooker with the pink and black remaining. Hodgson then produced two excellent snookers but with Graham responding to the challenge he was still strong favourite. Not to be discouraged by Graham’s knowledge of the angles Hodgson tried again and with another well executed snooker Graham required yet another great escape to maintain his firm position, but this time it proved to be elusive and with subsequent pots on the final two balls a satisfying 46-44 win for the Keswick player was delivered.

The final frame of the evening begun well for the lakesiders as Andrew Sharpe fashioned an early 20 point lead against last season’s Division 1 leading player Kevin Basnett. However with a brace of 28 breaks it was Basnett who lead his team to victory with a 40-64 win.

Other matches in Division 1 started with a crushing 6-0 away win for Champions John Street Club against Station Road. It was definitely not Station Road’s night as a respotted black ball win for John Street’s Peter O’Hagan against Station Road’s Iron Man Keith Telford seemed to sum up the evening’s events.

Workington Legion are still finding the going tough in Division 1 as 4-2 defeat at the hands of travelling side Maryport Social A sees them still looking for their first win. The game was not without drama interspersed with some terrific play from both sides.

The first frame was decided with a great long black by Maryport’s Steven Armstrong in his victory over Ian Torley and with some tremendous potting by Social’s former County Champion Ivor Messenger in the third frame of the evening the Maryport outfit were in control.  Legion’s Morris Wigham put up a brave fight against Social’s John Fleming in laying snooker after snooker but again it was the Maryport cueist who was to prove victorious. Tremendous play by Social’s Alan Moore secured the win but with another notable scalp this season from Legion’s Mark Lavin this time in Maryport’s Julian Plaza some consolation was offered.

The final Division 1 match of the week saw Seaton Legion claim their first victory of the season in emphatic style with a 5-1 home win against Senhouse B, a result that indecently sees the Senhouse side still searching for theirs.

The Division 2 title fight appears to be shaping up nicely, even at this early stage in the season. With a resounding 6-0 home win for Maryport Social B against Glasson that included breaks of 39 & 31 from Maryport players Shane Kane and Ryan Barker respectively, 4-2 wins for Senhouse A and Derwent B against Flimby and Trades Hall and finally a 4-2 win for table toppers Clifton against Ellenborough, only four points separate the top four teams.

Week 4 matches - 22nd October 2008

DERWENT B ROMP TO VICTORY

Home side Derwent B finally kick started their Division 2 title challenge this week in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League with a 6-0 demolition of Maryport’s Glasson Rangers.

The match begun with Keswick’s Andrew Austin, returning from a short retirement spell, taking on Maryport’s Craig Denwood. A scrappy start to the match was evident as both players, frustrated with their form, could not manage to put together any notable contributions. Conversely as the frame progressed it was Austin who through some high-quality safety play managed to establish a 29 point lead with just the colours remaining. With a resultant loose shot on the yellow from Denwood this was all the Keswick player needed to wrap up victory, 56-22.

The safety theme was to continue in frame two with Derwent B’s Tom Mattinson controlling his tie against Glasson’s Steve Thwaite. Again this was to prove the dominating factor and with all the colours still on the table Thwaite offered his hand as the game was conceded with the scores standing at 52-13.

With the score a 2-0 to the Keswick outfit a good start to the next frame was imperative by Glasson’s Richard Lewthwaite if he was to halt his team’s potential slide. With confidence Lewthwaite duly obliged but in another scrappy encounter he was soon pegged back a little by Derwent B cueist Paul Lodge. Not to be deterred by his Maryport opponents great start Lodge took the game to the colours and with some excellent potting of his own took the frame, 42-32.

In the next frame Glasson’s Captain Dave Chapman produced some of the best snooker of the evening but with dogged resilience Derwent B’s Liam Skillen made the most of his opportunities and in dispatching a superb pink and black the Keswick player took the game 53-30.

In frame four Derwent B star Mark Forsyth showed why he was one on the players to fear in Division 2 last season with confident potting of his own to coolly dispose of Glasson’s Les White 63-39.

At 5-0 to the Keswick side damage limitation was the target and Glasson’s Keith Tweedie was given the job of trying to overturn Derwent B Captain Joe Bell. Nevertheless Tweedie was never allowed to get into any sort of and even though the Keswick Captain spends most of his time on the sidelines nowadays a skipper’s performance was delivered to take the match with a 68-14 win.

Other Division 2 matches started with Ellenborough continuing their unbeaten start to the 08/09 campaign with probably the result of the week, a 5-1 home win against Maryport Social B.

Flimby players Mike Walker and Dave Teasdale rode their luck in their tie against Trades Hall with wins over Glenn Dobie and Morris Ennis respectively, and with a scrappy victory in probably the lowest scoring contest of the season so far, Flimby Captain Geoff Banton sealed a 4-2 win for the home side.

Clifton added to Senhouse A’s Division 2 misery with a 4-2 home win that sees them at the top of the table. A great start considering the difficult times they faced in Division 1 last term.

Division 1 matches got underway with an epic hour long frame between Senhouse B’s Michael Spark and Derwent A’s John Thwaites. In a game that the Keswick player was to pip by the odd few points it was launch pad his team needed to power to 4-2 away win that galvanised by three breaks of 25 from teammates Chris Scott (x2) and Vince Peet.

Seaton Legion’s Mark Tatton produced the only contribution of note, a 30 break, in his team’s home contest against Station Road; however this did not deter the Station Road outfit as in winning the final two frames of the evening a 3-3 draw was forced.

Workington’s Railway Club maintained their top spot in Division 1 with a superb 4-2 away win at Maryport Social A. Social’s Julian Plaza produced a lovely contribution of 29 to defeat Railway’s Neil Henderson; however this was superseded as with breaks of 46 and 41 Railway’s Kevin Basnett was the first player to score over a hundred points this season with a 107-2 victory over Maryport Social A’s Steven Armstrong.

The final match of the week saw John Street’s Mark Tunstall continue his fine break building form with offerings of 25 and 26 in his win over Workington Legion’s Ian Torley, but even though the Legion side crashed to a 5-1 away defeat the performance of the evening had to go to Legion’s Mark Lavin as with a timely break of 27 he defeated John Street star Peter O’Hagan.

Week 3 matches - 15th October 2008

Station Road grind out win

This week in the Cockermouth & District Snooker League Division 1 side Station Road Club (photo) bounced back from last weeks defeat at Maryport Social A with a grinding 4-2 home victory over Workington Legion.

The first frame of the evening saw Station Road captain Clive Lister grab an early lead and with Legion cueist Gary Fitzwilliam struggling to find any sort of break building form it was Lister who did enough to win a low scoring encounter 41-16.

Station Road’s Mark Robertson continued the great form he showed in his rookie season last year with some steady potting to defeat Legion’s Paul McWalters 61-16 and maintain his undefeated start to the 2008/09 campaign.

At 2-0 to Station Road the Legionnaires were in need of a solid performance to stop the rot but in a highly tactical game the scores remained almost level with only the colours separating Legion’s Ian Torley and Station Road’s Mike Walker. With the frame so finely balanced a cool head was required and in picking off the balls he needed Torley kept his team in the match with a 59-32 win.

The next frame saw Legion’s Willie Wilkinson pull out some excellent pots but almost inevitably Station Roads very own iron man proved yet again what a tough nut he is to crack with a fine finish of his own to win 53-26.

With the score at 3-1 to Station Road up stepped Legions top player from last season, Mark Lavin. In another game that was to be decided on the colours Station Roads Paul Johnstone put up some stout resistance but with a calmly dispatched pink it was Lavin who presided in the highest scoring contest of the night 73-48.

As the match followed a cagey theme throughout it looked foreseeable that the final frame of the evening would be no different as Station Road’s Peter Collins took on legion Captain Eric McMullen. However with a truly impressive performance it was Collins who broke the mould to dispatch McMullen with some excellent potting for a 52-15 win to seal the match victory.

Seaton Legion still searching for their first win of the season were left spellbound after going down 5-1, away to Derwent A. The legionnaires definitely felt the effects of some seasonal black magic as three games that were decided on the final ball, including one re-spotted, all fell to the Keswick outfit.

2006/07 Division 1 Champions Railway increased their lead at the top by inflicting a 5-1 home victory on Senhouse B. Breaks of 31 by Craig Davies, 39 by Neil Henderson & 35 by Kevin Basnett set the match up nicely for the Railwaymen, however a cruel fluke on the final blue for Senhouse’s Shaun Ayre against Railways Steve Garroway in the last frame of the evening was enough to ensure the Senhouse side avoided the whitewash.

Current champions John Street Club produced a polished performance against a Maryport Social A team that indecently included two former County Snooker Champions, but with John Street cueists Peter O’Hagan and Mark Tunstall adding vital contributions of 29 and 32 respectively to their aggregate breaks tallies a 4-2 win was achieved.

In Division 2 Maryport Social B and Clifton fought out a 3-3 draw that saw Clifton Captain Richard Nelson produce the performance of the evening by defeating Maryport star of the future Ryan Ismay. Other notable performances for the Clifton side included Luke Naylor’s mulish victory over Andrew Henderson and Graham Renney’s fluctuating frame win against Maryport Captain Colin Sealby.

In return Legion’s Ryan Barker continued his fine start to the season with fellow team players Pete Donachy and Paul Lister proving victorious over Mike Middlehurst, Tony Dixon and Clifton Captain Barry Graham respectively. Senhouse A finally broke their Division 2 duck with a 4-2 win over Trades Hall but this was not without some late night drama as Senhouse’s Allister Byers pinched the final frame of the evening by a point over hapless Trades Hall newcomer Dave O’Neill.

In the final two fixtures of Division 2 Ellenborough defeated Maryport rivals Glasson 4-2 away and Flimby stunned Derwent B with a 4-2 home win.

Week 2 matches - 8th October 2008

M'port Soc B continue fine start to the season

Matches in Division 2 in the Cockermouth & District Snooker league got under way this week with a 4-2 away victory for last seasons 7 a side KO runners up Maryport Social B against Workington’ s Trades Hall.

The match started with Social B youngster Ryan Barker, fresh from his summer transfer from Maryport rivals Glasson, demonstrating with a fine 45-17 win over Trades’ Frank Peel why his move could prove to be a good acquisition for the Social outfit.

Great start: Maryport Socials Ryan Barker (photo)

The next frame saw a real battle on the colours but with some confident potting Trades’ Graeme Dobie levelled the match score with a 48-37 win over Maryport’s Sane Kane.

With Social B’s Pete Donachy establishing an early lead in the third tie of the evening, the frame was always going to be difficult to win for the Trades cueist John McGee. Donachy’s league experience was never going to allow him to let this commanding position diminish as a 50-13 win saw the Social side 2-1 up.

Trades Hall star performer Barry Prytheric was always going to have a difficult time overcoming one of the Divisions top players in Social B’s Paul Lister. An exciting game unfolded and the lead change a number of times, however the frame eventually fell to Maryport exponent by the slenderest of margins, 62-57.

In the penultimate frame of the evening Maryport Captain Colin Sealby guaranteed the win with a solid performance over Trades’ Alan Fisher in a low scoring contest, 52-14.

Not to be deterred by the 4-1 match scoreline Trades Hall player David Pettit dug deep to offer some consolation to his team mates by rounding off the match with a 43-28 victory over Social B’s Paul Alford.

After last weeks win at home versus Trades Hall, Glasson crashed to a 6-0 defeat against a revitalised Clifton outfit that are showing no signs of any hangovers from a difficult 2007/08 season in Division 1.

After being relegated last season Senhouse A are still trying to find their feet in Division 2, as a 4-2 defeat at the hands of home side Derwent B sees them surprisingly still looking for their first win.

Still in Division 2 Ellenborough showed that last weeks victory at Senhouse A was no fluke with a 4-2 win at home to Flimby.

In Division 1 Station Road came back down to earth with a bump after last week great start to their top division campaign with a 5-1 away defeat to Maryport Social A.

Workington Legions return to Division 1 this season is proving difficult already as a 5-1 defeat at home to Derwent A sees them take only one frame from their first twelve played.

Railway continued their excellent start with a 4-2 away win at Seaton Legion. The highest break of the evening came from Railways Kevin Basnett in the shape of a 32 clearance, with the match being sown up by team mate Neil Henderson with a stubborn victory over Seaton’s Captain Alan Cannan.

The final encounter of the week was to see John Street produce their second away win in as many games, this time a 4-2 win over Senhouse B. The most notable contribution of the game saw Mark Tunstall bounce back from last weeks defeat with a break of 37 in his victory over Senhouse B’s Neil Bower.

Week 1 matches - 1st October 2008

John Street start defence confidently

The Cockermouth & District Snooker League season got under way this week with Division 1 Champions John Street Club making a confident start with a 4-2 away win against a Seaton Legion side that proved difficult to break down last season.

The match started with Seaton’s Scott Messenger taking on Tony Elliott. Messenger who has played little snooker throughout the summer showed a few signs of rustiness  and with Elliott making the most of his opportunities he added contributions of 25 & 26 to ease to a 88 – 16 win.

In the next frame experienced John Street campaigner Mark Tunstall struggled to find any sort of form as Seaton’s Steven Creer kept him at bay with some fine safety play to win 51 -37.

Flamboyant John Street player Simon Frazer was to take the table next this time against Legion’s Karl Newton. Newton never really got into his stride and as Frazer got in amongst balls a break of 28 was to prove decisive as he was to go on to win 58 – 12.

Not to be deterred by the 2 – 1 scoreline deficit, Legionnaire Alan Evans played some great match snooker to defeat frustrated John Street player Stuart Ryan 64 -39 who, no matter how hard he tried could not find his scoring touch.

In the penultimate frame of the evening one of the leagues great battlers, Seaton’s Captain Alan Cannan produced his usual dogged performance, however this proved fruitless as a solid show from Stephen O’Hagan saw the John Street cueist win 65 – 28.

The final frame of the night saw probably the best two players from either side meet as Seaton’s County Doubles Semi Finalist Paul Mostyn was to take on John Street’s County Singles Finalist Peter O’Hagan. Unfortunately this tie never lived up to it’s pre match billing as an on fire O’Hagan was to run away with the frame 75 – 1 with a 39 break to boot.

Other division 1 matches saw newly promoted Station Road start the season on a winning note with 4 – 2 win at home to Trades Hall, all be it from a 2 – 0 arrears. Notable performances of the evening came from Trades Hall’s Frank Hewer, with breaks of 26 & 29 and Station Road’s Mark Robertson with a contribution of 28.

Derwent A versus Maryport Social A produced a stalemate at 3 – 3. Lakesider Vince Peet produced the only break of the night, a 25 against Maryport’s John Fleming. However this proved ineffective as he still plunged to a 48–54 defeat.

Last Season’s Division 1 Top 4 Winners and League runners – up Railway Club started like the proverbial train with a 6 – 0 home win against last season’s Division 2 Winners Workington Legion. Railway’s five time County Doubles Winner Kevin Basnett started the season well by manufacturing breaks of 47 & 27 in a convincing 83-15 win against Legion’s Ian Torley.

In Division 2 Derwent B turned out a side that lacked two key players from last season, Chris D’Leny (who has moved to Australia to progress a career in Cricket) and Andrew Austin (retired). This did not dampen the Keswick side’s spirits as a 3-3 draw with Maryport Social B showed their fighting credentials.

Other Division 2 matches saw Glasson start the season on a winning note with a 4-2 home win against last season’s wooden spooner’s Trades Hall and Clifton take a well earned 4-2 victory against a travelling Flimby side.

The final week 1 game in Division 2 put a relegated Senhouse A side up against newly formed Ellenborough outfit. In what turned out to be the shock of the week the Maryport team showed just how competitive this Division is by imposing a 4-2 win on their Workington rivals.