In the latest league fixtures both divisional frontrunners swapped places with second placed contenders in the Derwent Valley Asbestos Removals and Demolition Services summer league.
Former county champion Kevin Basnett regained the top-flight pole position in competitive battle against long-time leader Peter O’Hagan.
O’Hagan took the initiative by winning the opening frame.
Basnett then constructed breaks of 32 and 35 in the second and third frames respectively to gain the upper hand.
Basnett took two final competitive frames to beat Workington’s O‘Hagan 4-1 in a match where both players struggled to find top form. Basnett now has a two point lead over O’Hagan.
In the only other top flight fixture, Cockermouth’s Andrew Mitchelhill cemented third place with a 4-1 victory over Workington’s Clive Lister.
Mitchelhill made a break of 36 in the second frame on his way to a 2-0 lead before Lister rallied to take a low scoring third.
Regaining the momentum Mitchelhill won the next and compiled a break of 34 in the final frame for an extremely useful win which places a bit of daylight between the two players. Lister remains fourth.
In the second tier, it was all change as long-time leader Seaton’s Stephen Jackson was defeated by fellow title challenger, Workington’s Darren Lawson.
Lawson found himself with an unassailable 3-0 lead before Jackson battled back to take the next.
Then Lawson won the final frame for a valuable 4-1 victory which sees him strengthen his third place with Jackson slipping to second in what now looks to be a three-horse race.
Whitehaven’s Andy Moore was able to take full advantage of the leaders latest defeat in beating Workington’s Geoff Smith 4-1 to remain the only undefeated player across both divisions.
Moore did not have it all his own way, however, as the opening frame was tight with Smith claiming a further close fourth frame for a consolation point.
Whitehaven’s Richard Kirkham recorded a useful 4-1 win over Chris Hunter of Workington which sees both players in mid-table. But that defeat now means Hunter loses touch with the frontrunners.
Dave Chapman from Workington earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Seaton’s Paul Smith.
Chapman battled back from 2-0 down, growing stronger throughout the match to take a comfortable final frame.
The only DVARD group qualifier completed saw Geoff Smith continue his drive towards semi-final qualification, remaining undefeated with a 3-2 win over Maryport’s Sal Cakmak.
Smith holds an eight-point lead with two matches to complete and looks favourite to qualify from Group C.
