Sleaford Snooker League: Cup holders Reel Stars beaten by clubmates

The Sleaford and District Snooker League took a break for semi-final cup action in the John Jenkins Electrical Knockout Cup and Turnbull Rose Bowl.
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John Jenkins Knockout Cup holders Reel Stars were drawn in a derby match with Reel Deal C. The gap in league placings could not be greater, with Reel Deal C riding high in Division One and Reel Stars bottom of Division Two.

But in two seasons Reel Stars had not lost a single match in the Knockout Cup, while Reel Deal C also have a strong recent history, having reached the final twice in the last three years and lifted it in 2014.

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The match started well for Stars, with Matthew Spry defeating Garry Sharpe 55-39, but Craig Sentance levelled in the next following a 66-28 victory over Steve Gyles, and Deal then went 2-1 up as a 39 break helped Carl Marriott overwhelm Dave Corder 100-33.

More break-building from Simon Biggin, including a run of 32, ultimately won the contest for Reel Deal C in frame four, with an 80-26 win versus Logan Hazzard.

Keith Southern sealed a 4-1 win with a 77-30 outcome against James Bond.

The second semi-final featured first division Electra G at home to second division Foundations.

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Both teams hare enjoying good league seasons, with Electra G in third and Foundations occupying runners-up spot.

Electra were beaten Knockout Cup finalists in 2013, while Foundations won the competition in 2007, but a one-sided match developed.

Stefan Lawrence put Electra ahead after beating Paul Stevens 62-34 before Steve Caithness doubled their advantage after beating Nick McCauley 61-36.

John Wheeler then won the match in frame three after a 65-52 triumph over Kevin Shaw.

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Ken Choularton’s 25 break made it 4-0 as he overcame John Jenkins 70-34, but the match highlight came in the final frame as Alf Palumbo’s 39 break sealed a 5-0 result, beating Ian Eynon 64-24.

* In the Turnbull Rose Bowl, both semi-finals pitted first division teams against second division.

Heckington B, mid-table in Division Two, hosted Electra B who recently moved up to second in the top tier.

Heckington B had never reached a Rose Bowl final, while Electra B were runners-up back in 2008.

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Electra B took the opening two frames as Anthony Wood defeated Eddie Cullen 67-38 and Paul Clark shaded Maurice Barnatt 62-60.

But in the best frame of the match, Philip Wootton’s 25 break halved the deficit, defeating Gavin Robson, who made a 29 break himself, 65-50.

The Heckington fightback was short-lived, however, as Wayne Brankin then won the tie for Electra in frame four, thanks to a 74-45 outcome against Roy Jackson.

Heckington’s George Tomlinson outscored Lewis Choularton 55-28 in the final frame for a consolation win.

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The second semi was an exciting contest between Division Two Solo B at home to first division Legion A.

Solo B had reached the final five times, winning in 1994, 1998 and 2000, and beaten finalists in 2004 and 2013, while Legion A had been in two of the last three finals, winning in 2014.

Solo went ahead when Ryan Wright defeated Kevin Spry 72-35 in the opener, but Legion A levelled when Colin Brown outscored Fred Ainsworth, 64-37.

Marcus Hrubesch restored Solo’s lead by beating Chris Creasey, 66-33, before Legion levelled a second time with a 72-25 win for Paul Banks against Nick Kelly.

James Scott comfortably won the final frame decider, 66-16 against Tony Luck, to give Solo B a shock 3-2 win.