JACK RAYBOULD IS 25 UNDER’s CHAMP
In one of the most competitive and compelling Individuals matches ever played, Jack Raybould from Alveley has become the new 25 & Under’s champion, beating Ashley Preece from Chelmarsh 2-1, in this season’s final played at Arley.
Jack took an early lead in the first frame but Ashley came back strongly and nosed in front on the final pink. However, Jack held his nerve and potted the black for a 1-0 lead.
In frame-2 Jack notched an excellent 29 break to forge a 24-point lead and the match should have been over when he had the opportunity to pot the brown to put Ashley in need of snookers. He failed to take the opportunity which allowed Ashley back into the match. Again it came down to the final black. However, Jack’s frustratingly went ‘in-off’ the black to provide Ashley with a lifeline.
Following Jack’s second frame self inflicted wounds, Ashley had, psychologically, emerged as the new favourite and confidently built up a 37-point lead in the deciding frame. Jack, however, slowly regained his composure and snatch victory at the death by a single point, one again taking the final black. Final Score: 2-1, (40-32, 51-60, 47-46)
Jack is the youngest player to have won the trophy since a young Mike Rogers, playing for the Comrades, won it at a similar age 38 years ago, back in 1973.
Jack and Ashley, both sixteen, are two of the League’s leading young players and have the potential of increasingly becoming ‘headline’ names as their games progress. For Ashley, who’s father Alan was 25 & Under’s champion on two occasion in the early 1990’s, there will definitely be future opportunities. However, on this occasion it was Jack’s time to be crowned a worthy champion and will collect the ‘Eddie Brewer’ Cup on his 17th birthday at the Annual Presentation to be held at the Down Inn on Friday 20th May. Well done Jack!
Last Tuesday the League took its seasonal rest from playing snooker and raised £280 towards end of season 60th Anniversary Year celebrations from its customary ‘Trivia Quiz’ Evening. Bill Meredith, the League’s perpetual quizmaster was again in charge, assisted by wife Cheryl and a close friend. Representatives for Dave Johnstone’s Chelmarsh D team were winners of the quiz, snatching victory with the final round of questions.
The League would like to thank Kevin Hawkins and the Arley Social Club for being such excellent hosts, Bill and Cheryl, and friend, for their very hard work, Owen Hughes for organizing the event and a special thanks to all those who took part and made this another enjoyable occasion. Those who were unable to attend but would like to make a donation should contact League Treasurer Tony Bill.
CUP HOLDERS RETURN TO FINAL
Last season’s A.E. Bentley Challenge Cup winners, Broseley B, have again reached the final, to be played at Arley on Thursday 24th March. In the final they will meet Chelmarsh B. Both Broseley B and Chelmarsh B cruised through their Semi-Finals with the outcome of both matches being determined after the playing of the first two frames. Chasing a handicap deficit of 97-points, Broseley B, playing against Alveley C, got of to a perfect start. Pete Thompson beat Tom Wolverson 67-47 and then Andy Carson thrashed Eric Brown 102-28, notching a 36 break in the process, to virtually end the contest. Owen Hughes, Kraig Griffiths and Eddie Mullard were also formidable; Owen and Eddie respectively recording breaks of 30 and 33 in the onslaught , as Broseley went on to seal victory by a very convincing137-points.
It was a very similar predicable outcome at Chelmarsh where the ‘B’ team ended the ‘A’ team’s dreams. Chelmarsh B’s handicap was a staggering 126-points but the opening 103-9 win from Eddie Gough over spectator Andy Unitt that included a 59 break, set the scene for the remainder of the match. Steve Shakespeare, Chris Lewis and Mike Rogers were also on fire and although Alan Matthews snatch a consolation frame for the ‘A’ team at the end, Chelmarsh B took the match by 139-points to set up the prospects of a ‘mouth watering’ final with the Cup holders.
The Consolation Cup Final will almost certainly mean a treble for either Highley B or Shifnal A, the First and Second Division leaders and respective division’s League Cup winners. In the Semi-Finals a four man Highley B beat a similar squad from Alveley B by 115-points despite starting with a handicap deficit of 90-points. Shifnal A, meanwhile, ended the hopes of an ‘all Highley’ final by comfortably beating Highley A by 105-points. The final at Chelmarsh is also to be played on the 24th March.
Earlier in the week Broseley B had inflicted a second defeat on the runaway League leaders, Highley B, beating them 3-2. Owen Hughes and Eddie Mullard had again been on form in this match respectively notching 32 and 27 breaks. Meanwhile, Chelmarsh B closed the gap to Highley B to 7-points and opened the gap on third placed Broseley B to 3-points with a 5-0 whitewash of Highley A who now looked doomed to relegation.
CHELMARSH D ROBBED BY FINAL BLACK
Lowly Chelmarsh D, second bottom of the Second Division, almost caused a major upset in the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup and would have done had they not been foiled by the final black in the final frame. Chelmarsh understood that, in all likelihood, a handicap advantage of 131-points would not be enough when playing against the much more superior Broseley B of the First Division. However, when young Chelmarsh rookie Richard Lewis, potting excellently on the colours, thrashed Pete Thompson 76-35, Broseley knew that they had a major up hill battle on their hands. Andy Carson, with the aid of a 36 break and Owen Hughes notching a 29 started the Broseley comeback and when Kraig Griffiths marshalled frame four, Chelmarsh’s lead had been reduced to just 19-points. As on many previous occasions Eddie Mullard had the final word by potting the final black to beat Dave Johnstone and to break Chelmarsh hearts. Dave had his opportunities, needing just pink at one stage for a Chelmarsh victory but it was not to be. Some commendable high scoring from some of the Broseley players to turn the match on its head but despite his team’s defeat the man of the match was without doubt young Richard Lewis.
In the other Challenge Cup Semi-Final played, Alveley C did manage to out maneuver the First Division Alveley Golfers. With a 29-point start and an excellent first frame win from Tom Wolverson the ‘C’ team never surrendered their lead. Bob Haddon did his best to put the Golfers on track but his win was followed by another good performance, this time from Richard Dain that pushed the ‘C’ team into a 39-point lead with two to play. Stuart West, the Golfers last hope, edged the fourth frame on the black in a very tactical frame with Chris Jepson but this still left his team with a mountain to climb. That mountain being Reg Burton and a peek to far for Golfer Norman Jones to scale and so Alveley C progressed into the Semi-Finals.
In the Consolation Cup Alveley B edged through to the Semi-Finals by beating Arley. Meanwhile in a very competitive match Highley A saw off the challenge of Chelmarsh C. Chelmarsh started with a 20-point lead that was immediately cancelled out by Highley’s Paul Evans and then restored by Joe Holloway. Steve Evans and Charlie Toogood swung the pendulum back into Highley’s favour, but only just to make for a compelling final frame. Throughout the season Chelmarsh’s Derek Webb has been on fire whilst Dave Lewis of Highley has struggled to impress. On this occasion Derek was a mere spectator to Dave’s superior cue power that earned Highley A a deserving victory.
Shifnal A also progressed to the Semi-Finals despite a 30-point handicap playing against Broseley A. Wins for Dave Drew, Steve Levinson and Mark Jones from the first three frames put Shifnal a commanding 57-points ahead. Gavin Humphreyson did his best by beating Dan Broster by 30-points and Kevin Carter edged the final frame on the black playing against the inform Will Brown but it was all ‘too little, too late’ to save Broseley from elimination. Shifnal A, meanwhile, continue in pursuit of a unique treble.
Team Knock-Out Results – 22nd February 2011
1. Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals
Alveley Golfers 364 (H’cap 162), Alveley C 419 (H’cap 191) (T. Bill 25, T. Wolverson 58; B. Haddon 77, E. Brown 39; A. Stephenson 35, R. Dain 50; S. West 44, C. Jepson 38; N. Jones 21, R. Burton 43)
Chelmarsh A Walkover, Shifnal B Withdrew
Chelmarsh D 442 (239), Broseley B 455 (108) (R. Lewis 76, P. Thompson 35; P. Turner 24, A. Carson 87 (Break 46); M. Jackson 36, O. Hughes 83 (Break 29); D. Davies 26, K. Griffiths 69; D. Johnstone 41, E. Mullard 73)
Chelmarsh B: Bye
2. Consolation Cup Quarter-Finals
Alveley B 409 (169), Arley 375 (141) (D. Phillips 48, N. Garbett 49; D. Jones 57, M. Crawley 37; J. Raybould 33, K. Hawkins 77; K. Walsh 66, J. Rushton 33; C. Ellingham 36, P. Williams 38)
Broseley A 408 (213), Shifnal A 430 (183) (W. Firmstone 39, D. Drew 67; D. Shaw 21, S. Levinson 62; J. Higgs 26, M. Jones 44; G. Humphreyson 59, D. Broster 29; K. Carter 50, W. Brown 45)
Highley A 434 (162), Chelmarsh C 367 (182) (P. Evans 61, P. Walker 39; J. Askey 40, J. Holloway 58; S. Evans 60, A. Jordan 35; C. Toogood 39, A. Preece 35; D. Lewis 72, D. Webb 13)
Highley B: Bye
Report for Bridgnorth Journal: Friday 21st January 2011
Attn: Mr. Melvyn Morgan From: Chris Jepson –14th January 2011
BROSELEY B CAUSE UPSET IN LEAGUE CUP
Broseley B caused an upset in the ‘first-leg’ of the Semi-Finals of the League Cup by inflicting a first defeat of the season on ‘double seeking’ Highley B. Andy Smith, with a 47 break, gave Highley the early lead and, with the help of 35 and 27 breaks, Simon Thomas had made it 2-1. In between the currently ‘on fire’ Kraig Griffiths had sent Gary Smith to his first defeat of the season. Pete Thomson then clawed his way back from a lost cause and took a re-spotted black ball to beat Dave Siddons to make it 2-2. Eddie Mullard was on hand to mop and give Broseley their slender 3-2 ‘first-leg’ advantage.
Chelmarsh B also take a 1-frame lead into the second leg having beaten the Alveley Golfers 3-2. Ade Stephenson and Stuart West had given the Golfers the perfect start – a 2-0 lead. However, Chris Lewis, Mike Rogers and Paul Manning were able to turn the tide for Chelmarsh, winning the remaining three frames.
Shifnal A, like Highley B, are also contemplating a League and Cup ‘double’ and have put themselves in a strong position for reaching the Second Division Final, having beaten Chelmarsh C 4-1. This match started off with a ‘cracker’ with Dave Drew giving Shifnal the early lead, beating Andy Jordan on another re-spotted black. It was only a convincing win from Joe Holloway that now keeps Chelmarsh’s faint hopes alive.
Alveley C beat the ‘B’ team 3-2 in a match that should have been a 1-4 defeat. Reg Burton appeared to be dead and cremated in his frame with Dave Jones but somehow rose from the ashes to win on the black. Similarly, young Jack Raybould who potted extremely well throughout left Chris Jepson in need of the final five colours to win. Damen Phillips and Ken Walsh, however, both won admirably for the ‘B’ team, Ken notching a 36 break in the process, to leave club ‘bragging rights’ still very much in the balance.
Highley B have again stretched their impenetrable lead at the top of the League after beating the Alveley Golfers 5-0. Nearest rivals Broseley B beat Alveley C 4-1 to stay second but Chelmarsh B closed the gap on them to just 2-points after they beat Shifnal B 5-0.
Shifnal A were able to extend their lead at the top of the Second Division to 10-points and increase their advantage over Highley A to 6-points in their bid to regain First Division status. Highley A’s demise continued with a 2-3 defeat to Alveley B who, by winning, have now closed the gap on the ‘C’ team to just 5-points. Chelmarsh C are another team still in the hunt as was confirmed by their convincing 5-0 win over bottom team Chelmarsh D.
Many of the weeks League results could easily have gone the other way. For example, with a 36-break, Alveley’s Dave Jones was unlucky to lose out by a single point, on the black, to Highley’s Josh Askey. Their was also a 1-point black ball win for Shifnal’s, Will Brown who beat Richard Evans, whilst in another match Chelmarsh’s Eddie Gough beat Carl Walker on the black. Broseley A were lucky on two counts playing against Arley. In the opening frame Warren Firmstone just managed to cross the winning line ahead of Richard Wright whilst Brian Humphreyson claim the final black ball in the last frame of the night played against Kevin Hawkins.
Also worthy of note in the League was a commendable 42 break form Highley B’s Simon Thomas and another sizzling performance from young Ashley Preece who showed no respect for seniority in his 82-22 win over fellow clubman Dave Johnstone.
HIGHLEY B CLOSE OUT YEAR ON A HIGH
As the second half of the season cues into action, Highley B have clearly stamped their authority on proceedings. With a third successive 5-0 win, and only having dropped 1-point from a possible 30 in the past five weeks, it would be a brave man to bet against them claiming an eighth successive title. Still way out in front of the ‘Most League Wins’ table are father and son - Gary and Andy Smith who have both racked up 14 out of 14. Lagging two wins behind but also with a one hundred percent record is team mate Simon Thomas. On this occasion it was bottom of the Second Division Chelmarsh D who were to suffer as Highley steamroll on. The match included a very modest (by his standards) 31 break for Andy Smith who still leads all others with his table topping 92 of a few weeks ago.
Third placed Broseley B, 15-points adrift of the League leaders but with a game in hand, also mustered a 5-0 win, dishing out a hiding to their ‘A’ team. The match included a, these days, rare glimpse of form from Owen Hughes who notched breaks of 40 and 27 in his 98-16 win over Kevin Carter. There were also breaks of 33 and 29 for Pete Thompson and Eddie Mullard respectively.
Chelmarsh B, who currently occupy second place, 13-points adrift of the leaders beat Arley 4-1. Surprisingly Chris Lewis was Chelmarsh’s fall guy going down to Arley’s Jeff Rushton. Recently Chris notched breaks of 55 and 30 when beating Broseley’s Andy Carson in a KO match.
The Alveley Golfers lost for the second week on the bounce going down 2-3 to Shifnal B. Shifnal could now leapfrog them into fourth place if they win their game in hand. This match included a modest 28 break for Shifnal’s Carl Walker and a first defeat of the season for Golfer Stuart West.
The promotion/relegation battle between Highley A and Shifnal A is back on with Shifnal having a slight ‘one frame’ advantage. Highley crashed 1-4 to a rejuvenated Chelmarsh C whilst Shifnal A were busy beating Alveley B by the same score. Shifnal A’s win also increases their lead of the Second Division to 7-points over Alveley C who beat Chelmarsh A 3-2.
Alveley’s Chris Jepson is this season’s Secretary’s Shield winner. Having beaten John Grace of Highley and Chelmarsh’s John Martin (last season’s winner), respectively, in the Quarter and Semi-Finals Chris met Owen Hughes of Broseley in the final. Owen’s path included a tricky encounter with Chelmarsh’s Alan Fenemore followed by a Semi-Final showdown with Kevin Hawkins from Arley who had previously knocked out Chris Lewis. Owen, chasing a handicap deficit of 21-points, fell further behind and at one stage trailed by 40-points. Despite on the back foot for much of the match, a dogged performance from Owen turned the match on it’s head on the final blue. Chris, however, took the pink and then later, as they say, took the match with a professional fluke, doubling the black into a middle pocket.
MARK JONES WINS 49er’s
Shifnal’s Mark Jones, who plays his snooker from a wheel chair, is this season’s 49er’s champion. In the competition reserved for players with a 49 handicap, Mark was the survivor of the eight hopefuls at the ‘Finals’ night held at Chelmarsh. In the final itself Mark beat Alveley’s John Wright who had to accept the runner-up accolade for a second time.
After a shaky start to the evening, Mark eventually overcame the challenge of Chelmarsh’s Richard Evans by potting an excellent pink to win his quarter final match. Then in the Semi-Final and under greater pressure, Mark beat a resilient Greg Murphy, from Arley. In this match the players were on equal terms on five occasions with Mark edging proceedings on the black.
Meanwhile in the other half of the draw John Wright had successful overcome the challenge of fellow clubman and past winner Trevor West and then had beaten another tricky Alveley contender; Kath Gill in the Semi-Finals. In the Quarter-Finals Kath had convincingly dispatched Chelmarsh’s bewildered John Martin.
Mark saved his best snooker for last, taking five blacks during the course of the final and leaving his opponent, John, in need of snookers with three reds still on the table. In the seven year history of the competition there has never been a more convincing and deserving winner.
As the league reached the half way stage both Chelmarsh B and Broseley B have booked their places in the Semi-Finals of the First Division League Cup, joining the already qualified Highley B. Chelmarsh B reserved their place with comfortable 5-0 win over their ‘C’ team. This match included an excellent 50 break from Eddie Gough and breaks of 39 and 32 from an ‘on-fire’ Chris Lewis.
Broseley B’s Pete Thompson also looked as though he would pass through the ‘50 plus’ break barrier but unfortunately went ‘in-off’ having potted the pink and so had to settle for a 44 break. Broseley went on to beat Shifnal B 3-2.
After losing 2-3 to Highley A, the Alveley Golfers hopes of a Semi-Final place are now on hold. Shifnal B will snatch the fourth available place if they are able to take 5-points from a rescheduled match to be played at Alveley B.
Second Division League Cup qualifiers include Shifnal A who beat Chelmarsh D 4-1, Alveley C who crashed 0-5 to league leaders Highley B and Alveley B who were beaten 3-2 by Broseley A. Chelmarsh C will claim the fourth place if they can take a point from a rescheduled match with Arley.
Thanks to a Paul Coles consolation Chelmarsh A are the other team in with a shout of a Semi-Final place. However, their chances of progress lie heavily on the shoulders of their opponents Arley, whom they lost to 1-4. Arley must beat Chelmarsh C 5-0 in the above mentioned rescheduled match for the ‘A’ team to progress.
Worthy of mention from the week of snooker: a first win in his first season for rookie Richard Lewis that provided Chelmarsh D with a consolation, 25-point clearances from Highley B’s Steve Jones and Chelmarsh B’s Steve Shakespeare to win their frames on the final black respectively beating Eric Brown & Ashley Preece and an ‘in-off’ the final black from Chelmarsh’s luckless Richard Evans who lost out to Arley’s Pete Williams.
HEADLINE ANDY MELTS AWAY WINTER SNOW
Thank goodness for another electrifying performance from Highley B’s Andy Smith on a night when three matches were dubiously postponed due to the early winter snow flurry. Andy, far from content with his table topping 69 break of the previous week, moved the bar yet again with a fantastic 92. Chelmarsh A’s Richard Evans was the unfortunate sole to be on the receiving end of Andy’s onslaught; failing to score a single point as Andy went on to win 104-0. Needless to say, the First Division leaders went on to win 5-0 with Chelmarsh A wishing that they also had been spared by the winter snow.
The top two in the Second Division may also have wished for ‘bad weather-stop play’. Shifnal A and Alveley C were both on the receiving end of 5-0 batterings dished out by the cues of Chelmarsh B and the Alveley Golfers. Surprisingly defeat for the two losing teams had little effect on their league positions although, perhaps, a significant blow to hopes of promotion to the First Division.
Chelmarsh B’s emphatic win moves them up to second place in the First Division, courtesy of the Broseley B postponement, but still 12-points adrift of the League leaders.
For the under strength Alveley Golfers, victory was a major step towards a possible League Cup Semi-Final place.
In the remaining match Highley A enhanced their hopes of First Division survival with an excellent hard fought 4-1 win over Broseley A that puts them 5-points ahead of Second Division leaders Shifnal A. Broseley A, perhaps, could consider themselves a little unlucky as Will Firmstone and Kevin Carter just missed out on the final balls to Josh Askey and John Grace respectively.
‘Good for you’ Broseley A and Chelmarsh B for making the effort to travel to Highley and Shifnal despite the inclement conditions, and to Arley who were virtually on their opponents’ doorstep before being informed that their match was off.
ANDY LIFTS THE ‘BREAK’ BAR WITH DAZZLING DISPLAY
With a dazzling display of Snooker, Highley B’s Andy Smith has again set the season’s ‘Highest Break’ target. With just two visits to the table Andy notched breaks of 38 and 69 to beat spectator opponent Fraser Allen of Chelmarsh C 107-11. In the previous week father Gary Smith had moved the bar with a short lived table topping break of 62. Current Individuals champion, Andy notched a resounding 123 break last season; just 1-point short of Simon Thomas’ all time record.
Highley B went on to beat Chelmarsh C 4-1 but apart from Andy’s dazzling opener and a convincing win for Simon Thomas, the team did not have everything their own way. Gary Smith was hard pressed to beat Paul Walker and Dave Siddons almost let slip playing against Martin Preece. To use Simon’s words: with a vintage display Derek Webb provided Chelmarsh C with a final frame consolation when beating Dave Cooke. Highley B’s win assured them of a League Cup Semi-Final place with two matches to spare and moved them 7-points ahead of second placed Broseley B.
Broseley B, who’s challenge for the title would appear to have gone off the rails in recent weeks, went down 2-3 at Chelmarsh B. In retrospect the match could be said to have been decided by the very first frame won on the black Mike Rogers who played against Broseley’s Pete Thompson.
The Alveley Golfers, only beaten by the top two so far this season, struggled to a 3-2 win over Chelmarsh A. However, the match could have gone either way. Both Alan Fenemore and John Martin had performed well for Chelmarsh and the team would have won had Andy Unitt taken the final black in frame-4. This privilege fell to Trevor West and so the Golfers maintained their impressive First Division experience.
For Highley A, who’s stay in the top flight may yet last longer than one season, It was also a good night. They may still be bottom of the First Division after their 3-2 win over Shifnal B but have now levelled their points tally with Second Division leaders Shifnal A who crashed 1-4 at Arley. Consolation in defeat for Shifnal B was a commendable 48 break from Carl Walker.
In the Arley – Shifnal A match both Nathan Garbett and Kevin Hawkins had performed admirably for the home side but the remaining three frames had been hard fought. Steve Levinson provided Shifnal with their consolation.
With Shifnal A again slipping up it was an opportunity for Alveley C to close the gap at the top of the Second Division. They beat Broseley A 3-2 and are now just 1-point behind the leaders. Alveley B are a further 6-points behind after a worthy 4-1 win at Chelmarsh D. This match included an inspiring 77-6 win for ‘rookie’ Jack Raybould over Chelmarsh’s young Richard Lewis. Surprisingly Colin Ellingham was Alveley’s fall guy. He lost by just a single point on the final black to a very grateful Dave Johnstone.
Whilst the League takes centre stage it has to be remembered that there are Individuals, Doubles and 3-a-Side competitions that regularly provide performances worthy of mention. In recent weeks such matches have included commendable breaks of 40, 41, 46 and 35 for Eddie Gough, Owen Hughes, Nathan Garbett and Reg Burton respectively.
LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL PLACES UP FOR GRABS
The top four teams in each division at the halfway stage of the League campaign qualify as League Cup Semi-Finalists. With ten matches played and three remaining both Highley B and Broseley B look set to confirm their customary ‘last four’ First Division places well before the cut off date.
Highley B trounced Shifnal A 5-0 to make it ten wins out of ten to open up a 4-point lead at the top of the table and in doing so created a 13-point cushion over the fifth placed Alveley Golfers. It was also ten out of ten for both Highley’s Gary and Andy Smith; Gary notching a 62 break, the highest break of the season so far, in his 99-10 win playing against Shifnal’s Dave Drew. Ton up Simon Thomas also recorded a 58 break in his 100-23 win over Will Brown. One more win will, most likely confirm Highley B’s place in the Semi-Final.
Broseley B are also looking good for a Semi-Final place. They beat Arley 4-1 with Mike Crawley provided his team with a consolation by beating Andy Carson on the black to avoid the whitewash. The final result, however now leaves Arley with a mountain to climb if they hope to book a place in the First Division last four.
The two remaining Semi-Final places will be hotly contested by Shifnal B, Chelmarsh B and the Alveley Golfers who are separated by just 3-points. Shifnal B continued their winning streak with a hard fought 3-2 win over Alveley C and the Alveley Golfers stay in contention having beaten Chelmarsh C by the same score. Golfer Tony Bill notched a 27 break in this match but became unstuck on the final black to Pete Walker. The other team in the fray for a Semi-Final place are Chelmarsh B who beat Alveley B 4-1.
Despite the above mentioned defeats both Shifnal A and Alveley C look assured of Second Division Semi-Final places. But with only 5-points separating the next four teams the remaining two places are still, very much, up for grabs. Broseley A, 4-points behind fourth placed Chelmarsh C, have the most difficult task but stay in touch with a welcoming 3-2 win over Chelmarsh A. Broseley A were the only Second Division team to win on the night. The match included a 27 break for Chelmarsh’s Andy Unitt.
Two teams almost certainly not destined for Semi-Final places, Highley A and Chelmarsh D, ‘faced-off’ in a basement debacle. Highley A, as anticipated, came away with the points winning 4-1 from a contest that was much closer than the result suggested. However, with the ‘B’ team doing them a favour by beating Shifnal A 5-0, Highley A’s win was significant in terms of First Division survival.
LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL PLACES UP FOR GRABS
The top four teams in each division at the halfway stage of the League campaign qualify as League Cup Semi-Finalists. With ten matches played and three remaining both Highley B and Broseley B look set to confirm their customary ‘last four’ First Division places well before the cut off date.
Highley B trounced Shifnal A 5-0 to make it ten wins out of ten to open up a 4-point lead at the top of the table and in doing so created a 13-point cushion over the fifth placed Alveley Golfers. It was also ten out of ten for both Highley’s Gary and Andy Smith; Gary notching a 62 break, the highest break of the season so far, in his 99-10 win playing against Shifnal’s Dave Drew. Ton up Simon Thomas also recorded a 58 break in his 100-23 win over Will Brown. One more win will, most likely confirm Highley B’s place in the Semi-Final.
Broseley B are also looking good for a Semi-Final place. They beat Arley 4-1 with Mike Crawley provided his team with a consolation by beating Andy Carson on the black to avoid the whitewash. The final result, however now leaves Arley with a mountain to climb if they hope to book a place in the First Division last four.
The two remaining Semi-Final places will be hotly contested by Shifnal B, Chelmarsh B and the Alveley Golfers who are separated by just 3-points. Shifnal B continued their winning streak with a hard fought 3-2 win over Alveley C and the Alveley Golfers stay in contention having beaten Chelmarsh C by the same score. Golfer Tony Bill notched a 27 break in this match but became unstuck on the final black to Pete Walker. The other team in the fray for a Semi-Final place are Chelmarsh B who beat Alveley B 4-1.
Despite the above mentioned defeats both Shifnal A and Alveley C look assured of Second Division Semi-Final places. But with only 5-points separating the next four teams the remaining two places are still, very much, up for grabs. Broseley A, 4-points behind fourth placed Chelmarsh C, have the most difficult task but stay in touch with a welcoming 3-2 win over Chelmarsh A. Broseley A were the only Second Division team to win on the night. The match included a 27 break for Chelmarsh’s Andy Unitt.
Two teams almost certainly not destined for Semi-Final places, Highley A and Chelmarsh D, ‘faced-off’ in a basement debacle. Highley A, as anticipated, came away with the points winning 4-1 from a contest that was much closer than the result suggested. However, with the ‘B’ team doing them a favour by beating Shifnal A 5-0, Highley A’s win was significant in terms of First Division survival.
PARTY OVER FOR BROSELEY AS HIGHLEY RECLAIM TOP SPOT
Broseley B’s eight week Bridgnorth Snooker League table topping party is over, at least for the present, after being convincingly beaten by seven times champions, Highley B, 4-1. In the showdown of the League’s top two teams, Andy Smith had cruised through the first frame and although Broseley’s Owen Hughes had put up a good fight in frame-2, father Gary kept the family one-hundred percent record in tact to make it 2-0. Breaks of 35 from Simon Thomas and 47 for new player Neil Drewitt helped to push the score to 4-0. The whitewash that appeared to be on the cards was averted by Kraig Griffiths who, with the aid of a 39 break, restored some respectability for Broseley by taking the final frame. Having beaten Broseley, Highley B, now the League’s only unbeaten team having won their opening nine matches, top the table by 3-points.
With their fourth 5-0 win from their last five outings, Shifnal B have shot up the League in recent weeks and now occupy third place, just 5-points adrift of Broseley B. Chelmarsh A, unbeaten in their previous two matches, was the team to experience Shifnal’s upward surge. Matt Judd, in particular, stood out for Shifnal, notching a 33 break in his comfortable win over Alan Fenemore. Alan Matthews had a chance to snatched a final frame consolation for Chelmarsh but, alas, was beaten on the black and by a single point by Chris Bristow.
Excellent performances from Steve Evans, Charley Toogood (again) and Dave Lewis provided Highley A with a surprising 3-2 win over Chelmarsh B. Despite this impressive win, however, Highley A remain rooted to the foot of the First Division.
Turning up with just three players, Chelmarsh C somehow managed to come away with a 3-2 win at Broseley A. Small consolation for Broseley; the two frames awarded to them by the under strength Chelmarsh outfit who robbed two of their players of a game of Snooker.
It was a good week for Alveley teams with the Golfers beating Shifnal A 3-2, Alveley B achieving the same result playing against Arley and Alveley C leaving with a flattering 4-1 win over Chelmarsh D. The Golfers victory came courtesy of a close low scoring win for Tony Bill, a convincing performance from Stuart West and the gift of a frame to Norman Jones by the ‘four-man’ Shifnal outfit.
Having won one frame on the black, Chelmarsh D could have lost 5-0. However, having also lost a frame on the black and added to this a lack of reward for encouraging performances provided by Richard Lewis, Mark Jackson and Paul Turner, Chelmarsh D must have felt very hard done by.
There was also a whisk of good fortune to Alveley B’s win against Arley. Jack Raybould had given the victors an early lead with a bizarre 73-70 win playing against Mike Crawley. In this opening frame Mike twice gave points away on the final pink, which left him in need of two snookers. With more experience Jack may, possibly, have rolled the pink over a pocket, leaving Mike with an impossible challenge. However, Mike was given the opportunity to get the two snookers (one obtained by good fortune) and then potted the pink. Luckily for Jack, Mike eventually left him the black that belatedly proved to be the match winning ball.
BROSELEY B BACK IN FRONT THNKS TO ‘A’ TEAM
With their fourth successive 4-1 win Broseley B have again forged 1-point ahead of Highley B at the top of the First Division. On this occasion their opponents were Highley A and Nick Carson in particular had an excellent match. In a hard fought frame Nick beat Highley’s Paul Evans, notching a commendable 37 break in the process. Surprisingly Eddie Mullard, not for the first time this season, was Broseley’s ‘fall guy’. Eddie was beaten on the black by Highley’s best player on the night – Charlie Toogood.
Although, like the League leaders, Highley B are still unbeaten they are not getting things all their own way as was proved from their hard fought 3-2 win over Broseley A. In the previous week Broseley A had been seated at the bottom of the Second Division, and so to take 2-points of the champions to move one place whilst also doing the club’s ‘B’ team a favour at the business end of table were just rewards. Gary and Andy Smith continue to remain unbeaten for Highley but it was the other father and son presence of Brian and Gavin Humphreyson who were the heroes behind Broseley’s brave effort. The match included a 31 break for Highley’s Dave Siddons that proved to be the deciding factor in his hard fought win over Kevin Carter.
The Alveley Golfers continue to relish life as a First Division team recording a resounding 5-0 win over Alveley B. Tony Bill, Trevor West and Stuart West cruised through their frames, whilst Norman Jones notched an impressive win over Damon Phillips. With the aid of a 24 break Bob Haddon added the icing to the cake by beating Ken Walsh.
Shifnal B continued their move away from the bottom of the First Division by leapfrogging Arley whom they eventually beat 3-2. Shifnal had taken a 2-0 lead but Arley hit back by taking the next two frames; Jeff Rushton leveling the match with a black ball win over Matt Judd. Ian Postans sealed victory for Shifnal B by beating the previously unbeaten Pete Williams.
Shifnal A, meanwhile, continued their assault on a quick return to the First Division with a similar 3-2 win beating second placed Alveley C, opening up a 7-point cushion in the process. Captain Mark Jones claimed the decider with a well earned win over Alveley’s Brian Oakley.
In a yoyo of a match Chelmarsh A notched only their second win of the season, beating Chelmarsh C 3-2. Paul Coles, Alan Fenemore an Andy Unitt were the alternate frame winners for the ‘A’ team who have now moved 4-points clear of the bottom the table.
The revival of Chelmarsh B continued in all earnest with their third 5-0 scoreline from the last four outings. On this occasion it was the ‘D’ team who were the lambs to the slaughter. It was a match were Eddie Gough’s 102-24 win showed no mercy to young Paul Turner and Dave Davies left out in the cold as Chris Lewis also rattled in a 37 break in an 89-1 scoreline. Unfortunately the disheveled Chelmarsh D now have to take their turn at bottom of the League.
HIGHLEY B LEVEL AT TOP
Highley B have now joined Broseley B at the top of the First Division after soundly beating their ‘A’ team 5-0. The first four frames were typical of the reigning champions with Dave Cooke sending them on their way, the so far unbeaten family duo of son Andy and father Gary Smith putting the team three up and then Dave Siddons comfortably making it 4-0. Highley A might have stolen a point at the death and would have had Dave Lewis taken the final black instead of Steve Jones in the final frame. Highley A’s 5-0 defeat places them 4-points adrift at the bottom of the division despite the team having won four of their opening six matches.
Although Broseley B were busy beating Chelmarsh A 4-1 it was the one frame conceded on the black by Captain Owen Hughes, to Chelmarsh’s Andy Unitt, that allowed Highley B to join them at the top of the table. Andy’s win also lifted Chelmarsh A another place away from the bottom of the Second Division.
Shifnal B recorded ‘back to back’ 5-0 wins by, on this occasion, putting Chelmarsh D to the sword. Winning all five frames may have flattered Shifnal slightly as Andy Garbett and Ian Postans both clawed their way through tough frames played against Mark Jackson and Dave Davies respectively. Shifnal B’s win moved them of the bottom of the First Division.
Shifnal A were also victors over Chelmarsh opposition beating the ‘C’ team 3-2 despite only being able to table four players and having lost the first frame. Young Ashley Preece had given Chelmarsh the lead by beating Fred Ealey on the black in a ‘humdinger’ of an opener; the two players respectively notching 23 and 22 breaks. However, the final black ball sunk by Shifnal’s Don Link in frame-3, playing against Derek Webb, effectively determined the outcome of the match.
Although trailing the top two by 8-points Chelmarsh B should not yet be dismissed as possible title contenders. A 5-0 win over bottom team Broseley A moves them back into third place be it only on frames won. Chelmarsh leapfrog the Alveley Golfers who beat Arley 3-2 to make it five wins from four matches played.
In the ‘all Alveley’ encounter the ‘C’ team mirrored their previous week’s performance (when they lost three frames black in a 4-1 defeat to Arley) by winning three frames on the black to beat the Alveley B 4-1. Trailing by 21-points Dave Jones had the opportunity to clear the final four balls and give the ‘B’ team the lead but he missed a routine black to hand the first frame to Chris Jepson. Colin Ellingham then clawed his way back into frame-3 only to succumb to the ‘C’ team’s Dave Halford who appears to have made it a habit of winning on the black. To cap the evening off Geoff Foxall, involved in another marathon of a frame, (in which he and his opponent Alan Atkinson must have foul stroked at least six times on the final three colours) finally potted the black to seal Alveley C’s fortunate 4-1 victory. A win that moves the ‘C’ team up into second place in the Second Division, just 2-points ahead of the ‘B’ team.
Friday 22nd October 2010
BROSELEY B MAINTAIN 1-POINT LEAD
With another win the, so far, unbeaten Broseley B are still hanging on to their slender 1-point First Division lead over champions Highley B. Broseley’s hard fought latest 4-1 win over Shifnal A extends their excellent start to the season. William Brown provided Shifnal with a consolation and to be fair to the team both Fred Ealey and Mark Jones gave Broseley’s Pete Thompson and Andy Carson a hard time before conceding. Despite defeat Shifnal A still top the Second Division.
Highley B, meanwhile, kept the pressure up on the early leaders with a similar 4-1 scoreline over old adversaries Chelmarsh B. An ‘on fire’ Andy Smith set the balls rolling for Highley with an emphatic 94-14 win, that included a 41-break clearance, beating Chelmarsh’s Bill Meredith. Bill, a player with a pedigree Bridgnorth Snooker League past who rarely plays these days, must have wished he had stayed in retirement. Chris Lewis was the provider of Chelmarsh’s consolation.
Broseley A’s return to League snooker has, so far, shown signs of rustiness and with their third 0-5 defeat in five outings they now prop up the Second Division be it only based on frames won. Despite their 5-0 win over Broseley A, Shifnal B are still bottom of the First Division. However they have closed the gap on the Second Division leaders – their ‘A’ team - to just 2-points. The two Shifnal teams may well be in competition with each other throughout the current campaign in a bid for First Division status next season.
After defeat in the previous week, Highley A bounced back with their fourth win from five matches by beating Chelmarsh A 3-2. For Chelmarsh the two points earned, from frames won by Andy Unitt and new player Paul Coles, were very welcome as they helped lift the team of the bottom of the table. The Alveley Golfers also won, beating Chelmarsh D 3-2, to replicate Highley A’s four wins out of five.
In what must be considered a disappointing week for Chelmarsh (all four teams losing), Chelmarsh C lost 2-3 to Alveley B. However, Chelmarsh C’s young rookie - Ashley Preece had a night to savor, notching a 22 break in a high scoring 77-42, match playing against Alveley’s John Wright. Chelmarsh C’s team captain Derek Webb also recorded a 29 break which made the difference in his frame with Ken Walsh.
After an indifferent start from their opening two matches, Arley have suddenly sprung into life, their latest success, earned playing Alveley C, propels them up to third place. ‘Earned’ should probably read ‘hard earned’ win as four of the five frames played were decided on the final black in a match that consumed four hours. The marathon started with frame-1 when, at 28-points apiece, Mike Crawley and Chris Jepson agreed to a re-rack. At the time the six remaining reds were all huddled around the pink and black on a corner pocket. Trailing by sixteen points Mike took blue, pink and black to win the re-rack and give Arley the lead. There was a touch of ‘de ja vue’ about the next frame when Nathan Garbett, also trailing by sixteen points, took the same three final colours to beat Tom Wolverson to move Arley 2-0 ahead. Dave Halford briefly put Alveley C back into the match by eventually taking brown, blue, pink and black to beat Jeff Rushton. In a sort of ‘yoyo’ frame-4, Kevin Hawkins and Geoff Foxall were tied with just the one ball remaining. However, Geoff eventually left Kevin with a fortuitous easy black and so 3-1 to Arley. The only convincing winner on the night was Pete Williams, who beat Reg Burton to ensure Arley of their hard fought 4-1 victory.
Report for Bridgnorth Journal: Friday 15th
PAUL CLEARS UP FOR CHELMARSH B
After a sluggish start to the new season, Chelmarsh B have finally cued into action with the whitewash of their ‘A’ team. Mike Rogers got the show on the road with a comfortable win in frame-1 and Steve Shakespeare, with the aid of a 30 break soon made it 2-0. Eddie Gough and Chris Lewis also had comfortable wins but the frame of the night belonged to Paul Manning. With twelve reds potted Chelmarsh A’s Josh Jones had a slender 17-16 lead but then Paul suddenly found his form. In an impressive clearance Paul took the final three reds, with colours, and then the six final colours to give Chelmarsh B a welcome 5-0 victory.
There were also 5-0 wins for the Alveley Golfers and Arley. The Golfers win never looked in doubt as Trevor West, Bob Haddon, Tony Bill and Ade Stephenson were hardly threatened. The final frame won by Stuart West against Broseley’s Kevin Carter was, perhaps, the closest of the night although, again, Stuart was command.
Arley continued their good form of the previous week, this time putting Chelmarsh D to the sword in another match where the final result never appeared to be in doubt once Richard Wright had taken the first frame. To be fair to Chelmarsh D, they have a number of young new players who, no doubt, will significantly improve and become valuable members of the team as they gain more experience.
In the two Highley versus Shifnal matches it was a case of ‘tit for tat’. Shifnal A conflicted a first defeat on Highley A who they beat 4-1 to consolidate their position of Second Division leaders. This however was a match that could have gone either way as Shifnal’s Dave Drew ending Josh Askey’s winning start to the season with a black ball finish and teammate Fred Ealey just managing to overcome a resilient Dave Lewis.
Highley B, meanwhile, were busy beating Shifnal B by the same score of 4-1 to maintain their one hundred percent start to the season. Not a classic match with, perhaps, the most watchable snooker of the night being provided by Highley’s Dave Siddons.
Chelmarsh C got their season underway with a welcome win over Alveley C. Fraser Allen gave Chelmarsh the early lead with a surprise result playing against Reg Burton. Alveley C then went 2-1 up but Martin Preece kept Chelmarsh in the game with a black ball finish playing against Tom Wolverson. After a sluggish start Derek Webb wrapped up a 3-2 scoreline in Chelmarsh’s favour.
Broseley B maintained their 1-point lead at the top of the League after convincingly beating Alveley B 4-1. Pete Thompson, Andy and Nick Carson and Kraig Griffiths all made relatively easy work of their wins but on this occasion there was no win for Eddie Mullard. Wins for Broseley B and Eddie Mullard are usually synonymous. With the aid of a 28 break, Colin Ellingham provided Alveley B with a ‘twist in the tail’ consolation by beating Eddie, who on this occasion definitely came off second best.
HIGHLEY TEAMS STILL UNBEATEN
Newly promoted Highley A have continued where they left off in last season’s Second Division, with a third consecutive win, and currently lie third in the top flight just behind their illustrious ‘B’ team. By no means are Highley A getting carried away with their early successes. After all, all three wins have been by the odd frame. Their latest 3-2 success coming against Alveley B with Josh Askey also keeping up his one-hundred percent start to the season in tact. Only just, however, with a black ball finish playing against Alveley’s Dave Jones. For John Grace there was also a close finish in his frame with John Wright, so it had not been all plain sailing for the Highley lads.
Highley B closed down Broseley B’s lead at the top of the League with a 4-1 over the Alveley Golfers. This was the Golfers first defeat of the season with Tony Bill providing the team with their consolation.
Broseley B now lead by just 1-point following their ‘surprisingly’ close encounter with Alveley C which they eventually won 3-2. Andy Carson and Owen Hughes had given Broseley a 2-0 lead and another 5-0 win appeared to be on the cards, and would have been had Chris Jepson and Reg Burton not hit back for Alveley to level the score. However, as always, Eddie Mullard was there to sew the match and maintain Broseley’s excellent start to the season.
Although having started the season sluggishly, Chelmarsh B recorded a welcome 4-1 win by beating Shifnal B. Carl Walker was again on song for Shifnal, providing his team with their consolation. Carl’s win included a modest 28 break; the highest from any player in the League on the night.
Shifnal A continued their assault on a quick return to the First Division with a hard fought 3-2 away win at Chelmarsh A. Mark Jones, playing against Chelmarsh newcomer Josh Jones, confirmed Shifnal’s victory in frame-4.
arley set their season in motion with a welcome first win, beating Broseley A 4-1. D. Shaw had given Broseley the early lead but from that point onwards, with comfortable wins for Nathan Garbett, Mike Crawley, the so far unbeaten Pete Williams and Kevin Hawkins, the final result never looked in doubt.
Chelmarsh D came off the foot of the table with a 3-2 win over their ‘C’ team. Again this was a match that could have gone either way, with both Paul Walker and Ashley Preece just missing out for Chelmarsh C in frames won on the final black by Dave Davies and Paul Hunter respectively.
26th September 2010
BROSELEY B SET EARLY PACE
Broseley B have made an excellent start to the new campaign with a second 5-0 scoreline; on this occasion putting Chelmarsh C to the sword. Apart from a close ran third frame when Chelmarsh’s Derek Webb eventually succumbed to Ray Pardoe, the outcome never looked in doubt. Comfortable wins for Owen Hughes, Nick Carson and Kraig Griffiths, concluded by another high caliber, high scoring, performance from Eddie Mullard means Broseley B are the early pacemakers at the top of the League after two matches played.
League favourites, Highley B are just two points behind but were lucky to come away with a 3-2 win at Arley. Andy Smith put Highley ahead and Gary Smith, despite at one stage trailing by 20 points to Nathan Garbett, made it 2-0. An excellent win from Pete Williams, over Dave Cooke, confirmed that Arley were not ready to capitulate and the scoreline came very close to being level. Simon Thomas made it 3-1 in a close hard fought frame decided on the pink played against Kevin Hawkins. Jeff Rushton comfortable took the final frame for Arley by beating Dave Siddons, hence the 3-2 scoreline, but, as the Highley captain, Simon, remarked at the end of the match: his team finished up the winners but the result could have easily have been 4-1 or 3-2 to Arley.
The Alveley Golfers continued their good start to the season with another 3-2 win, this time beating last season’s First Division runners-up Chelmarsh B. Golfers Tony Bill, Ade Stephenson (who beat Steve Shakespeare on the final black) and Geoff Guestford (who beat Chris Lewis on the final black) provided the Golfers with their night of jubilation.
After an opening 5-0 defeat Alveley B bounced back by beating Chelmarsh A by a similar scoreline; a match that included breaks of 38 and 27 for Alveley’s Daman Phillips and Colin Ellingham, respectively. Broseley A also bounced back following a similar opening defeat with a 4-1 win over Chelmarsh D. In a match that was much closer than the scoreline suggests, Paul Turner provided Chelmarsh D with their consolation.
Highley A made it two 3-2 wins out of two matches played by beating Alveley C in another hard fought match that could have gone either way despite Highley taking an early 3-0 lead.
The final match of the evening was an all Shifnal affair where the ‘A’ team, who had won their opening match 5-0, were brought right back down to earth by the ‘B’ team. Although to be fair to Shifnal A the match, like many of the other matches played on that night, could just as easily gone the other way. Shifnal A, infact, got off to a flier as Angus Way crushed Mark Worsdell 99-2. Carl Walker, with the aid of an excellent 55 break, then levelled the score for Shifnal B. A hard fought win for Andy Garbett, over Mark Jones, followed by a win for Chris Bristow and then a ‘one hour’ concluding frame taken by Ian Postans, courtesy of an ‘in-off’ from Nigel Stallard on the final black, provided the ‘B’ team with their, perhaps fortunate, 4-1 win.