In the latest DVARD league fixtures for the chasing title contenders from both divisions have been stepping on the gas to stay connected with the leaders.
Moving into the second half of the Derwent Valley Asbestos Removals and Demolition Services season, the top flight is seeing players begin to bunch at the top of the table.
In the clash of the week third-placed Andrew Mitchelhill of Cockermouth needed a positive result to remain in contention with the leading two players.
His opponent was Workington’s early front-runner and second placed Peter O’Hagan.
Despite O’Hagan constructing a break of 35 in the second frame and already 1-0 up, it was Mitchelhill who gained the initiative, taking the next three frames to ensure the league win.
A 44 break from O’Hagan in the final frame was not enough, as it went to a re-spotted black which Mitchelhill disposed of for his best result of the season
In a second match of the week for Mitchelhill, Maryport’s Sal Cakmak was the challenger.
Breaks of 33 and 32 in frames three and four respectively saw the Cockermouth cueist secure an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Taking the final frame gave Mitchelhill his second 4-1 victory of the week and closes the gap on the leading two with only two points separating the top three players.
In the second tier, Whitehaven’s Andy Moore had himself a busy week against tough opposition.
Firstly Seaton’s Stephen Jackson took on the recent new DVARD division two leader.
Despite Jackson pulling the match back to 1-1, Moore kicked on to secure the match win 3-1, with Jackson taking the final frame for a respectable 3-2 reversal in a competitive tie throughout.
Moore’s second fixture saw the match go all the way to a final frame decider with Workington’s Chris Hunter.
A 30 break in frame three placed Moore 2-1 to the good before Hunter levelled for 2-2.
Moore secured the win bonus point for 3-2 and. Moore extends his lead to five points from Jackson.
Darren Lawson of Workington strengthened his position in third place with a solid 4-1 victory over Dave Chapman. Lawson is now only two points behind second spot.
Other matches saw Jackson make amends with a 3-2 victory over Whitehaven’s Richard Kirkham which included a 38 break from Kirkham in the third.
It was Smith versus Smith as Seaton’s Paul Smith earned a swift 3-0 unbeatable lead over Workington’s Geoff Smith.
Geoff took the final two frames for a respectable 3-2 reversal.
In a DVARD group qualifier catch up tie, former county champion Kirkham recorded a 4-1 win over Clive Lister of Workington.
That win almost secures Kirkham’s qualification into the semi-final knockout phase and can now only be stopped by Chapman if he can record a 5-0 victory in their next DVARD group ‘B’ encounter.
Latest DVARD league standings week 13:
DVARD DIVISION ONE Pl W L Pts
K. Basnett 6 5 1 28
P. O’Hagan 7 5 2 27
A. Mitchellhill 7 5 2 26
C. Lister 6 1 5 11
M. Tunstall 5 1 4 8
S. Cakmak 5 1 4 8
DVARD DIVISION TWO Pl W L Pts
A. Moore 9 9 0 42
S. Jackson 10 7 3 37
D. Lawson 9 6 3 35
C. Hunter 9 4 5 26
R. Kirkham 9 4 5 26
D. Chapman 10 3 7 24
P. Smith 9 3 6 20
G. Smith 9 1 8 12
