Snooker: Rockets go level with Blinders at top of the league

Just one away win during final matches of 2023

Report by Mike Crook:

There was just one away win in the last Mac’s Builders Merchants snooker league games of 2023, but it could prove significant. Cue Zone Blinders, alone at the top for much of the season lost out to a tenacious Peel Legion and are now joined by Finch Hill Rockets who have a game in hand.

Cue Zone Blinders 1-4 Peel Legion

Nick Stephens 42-62 Barton Beaumont - This was mainly frustration for Stephens as Beaumont’s hit and run for cover tactics worked perfectly. A late rally left him the chance of nicking it with last three colours, but in trying to hold for pink he missed the blue and Beaumont sunk it to go 20 points up. It wasn’t quite over as Beaumont then dumped the cueball in a pocket which led to an anxious ten minutes as Stephens did all he could to force another foul. Beaumont let out a big sigh when he eventually potted it. Scott Campion 68-56 Tom Randall - 35 start for the Peel player who wasn’t quite on his game. Campion was steady and made a long straight pink for frame after a good battle on the colours. Brandon Forrester 48-52 Geoff Hall - Forrester closed the 14 start in no time but couldn’t shake off Hall was to take a seventh win in a row. With both needing two of the last three colours, Hall took on a speculative double to a corner on the blue which flew in, the pink went to Forrester who also tried to double the black to a corner, it looked in, wobbled and stayed up, deep in the jaws. This still left Hall a nervy tap in with the cueball at full-distance. David Hill 43-52 John Kelly - A deciding frame looked on as Hill, playing confidently was 27 up with two reds left. Kelly then woke up, taking the reds with blacks and got the better of the colours to take frame and match on the pink. Darryl Hill 70-78 Mike Crook - Crook frittered away his 56 start and Hill, without being at his best was ahead before the Peel captain made his first pot with one of the last reds. Plenty of good safety followed on the colours with Hill picking off yellow, green and brown. Hill missed a tricky mid-range frame ball pink and Crook was left a fine cut to the green bag with the black hanging just below a middle pocket. The pink dropped and to those watching he was only left a double opportunity on the black. However, he went for an even finer cut than the previous one and after a momentary hesitation the ball disappeared into the middle pocket. 

Finch Hill Musicians B 3-2 Jackson

Report by Matt Dodd:

An impressive eighth win in ten leaves Musicians B just one point off the top. Mike Doherty 57-45 David Notman - The Doc was receiving seven and this could have been anyone’s with both players potting well before Doc took it on the black. Pat Maher 56-11 Richard Hillier - Richard just couldn't get going and Pat with a 20 break continued his good form for another convincing win. Martin Rigby 62-34 Lee Gale - Gale had the biggest chase of the night of 28. He broke down on a 19 break and potted some lovely reds and was still in it up until the blue, however Rigby just stayed one step ahead to seal frame and match. Vic Rigby 45-57 Kam Virk - Kam was on form, potting some great balls and good safety play. His best shot was a full length pot from off the cushion. Rigby senior rarely get beaten by far and still had a chance to win, just missing the final blue. Kam held it together to make the clearance. Matthew Dodd 41-60 Dave Welsh - A scratch game and Dodd did well to get 21 ahead against one of the players with the best league record this season. From nowhere Welsh knocked in a 25 break to stun Dodd. Dodd wasn’t done and took yellow and green but rattled the brown. Welsh cued it beautifully and landed perfect on the blue then pink for another valuable consolation point for Jacksons. 

Finch Hill Rockets 4-1 DSB Wannabes

The Rockets are flying at the moment, now level top after their fourth 4-1 win in five outings. Perhaps the rare sight of Doug Kinrade, (won on the black) playing the first frame instead of his normal anchorman position psyched out the Wannabes? Frame scores: Doug Kinrade 49-45 Fred Corris, Marek Kenny (31, 20 breaks) 109-62 Steve Cowin, Sean Murphy (29) 100-65 David Callister, Marc Bolton 40-32 Dave Corris and Jonny Hogg 63-75 Paul McKinstry.

St Olaves 3-2 Cue Zone Masters

Report by Paul Smyth:

Paul Smyth 25-74 Brendan Clague - Six times Paul missed the colour after potting his first six reds, not ideal when chasing 42. Brendan capitalised enough with some good pots of his own for a comfortable win. Dave Kelly 58-31 Ivan McMaw - This went to form, McMaw did close the 21 start before Dave went away on the colours. Frame three was awarded to the Masters as a walkover after a wrong handicap was accidentally used between Mike Heathcote and Les Briggs. A shame for Mike who produced a fine 31 break to win well. James Kerr 63-52 Jez Hill - James was giving away 35 and the turning point was when Jez went for a thin plant on the reds, missed completely which resulted in James making a 32 break. Dan Crawley 91-58 Martin Rigg - This was another 35 chase for St Olaves. For once, Martin wasn't dropping in his usual stylish long reds or capitalising on his chances. After some scrappy play, Dan knocked in the highest break of the week with a tasty 40 which pretty much won the frame

Port St Mary Legion 3-2 Finch Hill Mob

Report by Terry Boyle: