Sleaford Snooker League: Legion teams set the pace

Last week saw the start of the Sleaford and District Snooker League season and the introduction of a new handicapping system.
Snooker EMN-190916-183143002Snooker EMN-190916-183143002
Snooker EMN-190916-183143002

Players have been given handicaps according to their ability and previous results over the past two seasons.

In the Barge and Bottle Division One, the two Legion teams, Legion A and Upholsterers, set the pace with 4-1 victories.

There was an early setback for Legion A when visitors Electra A took the opening frame, but the hosts won the remaining four.

Scores: Kevin Spry 45-54 Ken Choularton; Tony Luck 60-48 John Wheeler; Paul Banks 68-46 Chris Wright; Chris Creasey 79-29 Stefan Lawrence; David Brown 73-32 Chris Lawrence.

After sharing the opening two frames, Upholsterers won the next three to defeat newly-promoted Legion P in their derby encounter.

Scores: Graham Watson 57-24 D. Tunnicliffe; Dave Woods 26-64 Andy Bainbridge; Spike Rushby 76-58 Dan Wilbraham; Jason Partridge 74-40 Martin Osborne; Adi Taylor 76-50 Dave Dawson.

Last season’s champions Reel Deal C were defeated in their opening derby contest with the other newly-promoted side, Desperados.

After falling 1-0 behind, Reel Deal C levelled and went 2-1 up, before Desperados rallied to win frame four and level.

And a 36 break for Steve Gyles in the deciding final frame secured a great 3-2 win for Desperados.

Scores: Paul Clark 78-71 Steve Lunney; Gavin Robson 16-54 Doug Scott; Chris Onley 19-60 Jason Horspole; Wayne Brankin 70-40 Ben Baxter; Mark Ferguson 60-54 Tony McCauley.

The week’s final fixture was another derby clash at the Electra Club between the B and S teams.

Electra B won the opening frame, but fell 2-1 behind, before winning the last two frames, including the decider on the black, for a 3-2 victory.

Scores: Sean Dudley 16-58 Kev Kopp; Keith Southern 52-46 Paul Harris; Simon Biggin 77-63 Lisa Foreman; Craig Sentance 34-78 Dave Corder; Jason Marriott 66-88 Steve Gyles.

* In the Sleafordian Coaches Division Two, Unpottables won 4-1 away at 5,000 Volts to go top of the table.

Scores: Matthew Spry 14-61 Ray Black; Lee Price 45-75 David Gash; David Taylor-Martin 31-64 Garry Nicholson; Ryan Spry 49-38 Nino Vacca; Paddy Harland walkover.

Solo B On Tour fell 2-1 behind at home to Six Cues One Pocket despite a good start.

They then won the remaining two frames to emerge 3-2 winners.

Scores: Nick Kelly 84-79 Steve Caithness; Alan James 27-60 Joe Kerwin; James Scott 43-91 Pete Tatum; Fred Ainsworth 47-18 Tracey Deighton; Ryan Wright 64-42 Anthony Wood.

The final fixture of the week witnessed Wanderers defeat Foundations 3-2 at home.

Scores: Alf Falconio 66-37 John Jenkins; John Butler 35-49 Paul Stephens; Neil Price 65-49 Nick McCauley; Terry Wing 70-3 Ian Eynon; Mike Smithson 49-61 Kevin Shaw.