The new season of the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League begun this week and with some fascinating line-ups an exciting start to 22/23 campaign was delivered.
However, just as the season began the league was to yet again mourn the loss of another legend of Workington snooker -Joe Davies at the age of 94.
Joe was one of the first crop of players to see the league’s conception in the 1950’s and played right through to the early 2000’s, finishing his competitive playing days at the RAFA Club, Workington.
Joe was a fierce competitor who could beat anyone on his day and his contribution to the league still lives on.
Joe passed on some of his playing skills and love of the game to his son Craig who plays for the Vets Club in Workington.
Craig has said that the funeral will be held this Friday, October 14 at Distington Crematorium, 9.45am with all welcome.
In the League round one matches started with Division One league champions, Workington Conservative Club making the journey to Flimby and with a really solid start to their defence they ran out 4-1 winners against their Division Two opponents.
Flimby’s return to the league proved to be a difficult one as Julian Plaza, Richard McCarthy and Alan Moore ensured Cons romped to a 3-0 lead.
Mark Forsyth, however, produced a gritty performance to nick the fourth frame for 3-1 but it was business as usual in the last as Ryan Barker cantered to victory with a convincing display to cement the match win.
Last years TKO handicap plate winners, Workington Veterans Club faced Workington Golf Club B and even though the league newcomers showed some early promise against their Division One opponents the vastly experienced Vets side proved victorious with a 4-1 score-line.
Frame one delivered a good win for the Golf Club B’s Karl Newton but with victories in the next three frames highlighted with solid performances from Steve Garroway and Mark Tatton, the Vets were 3-1 up.
In the final frame of the match last season’s Division One leading player, Kevin Basnett began with a break of 45 and with little to trouble him as a result he powered his team to a decisive 4-1 win.
Workington Golf Club A, however, had little trouble in their first fixture of the season as the Division One outfit white-washed Division Two’s Maryport Social 5-0 with some fine tactical play.
The Golfers made the most of their home advantage to pinch the opening two frames with victories from Mark Brasted and Ryan Ismay and as Bryan Walker won an equally close game in the next it was soon 3-0.
Lewis Tilley took the next in the evening’s most convincing performance but it was Phil Sorfleet who completed the Golf Club clean sweep with the highest points total of the match.
Finally, newly promoted Workington’s United Club opened up with a 3-2 home victory against Workington’s Station Road Club in a hard-fought contest.
Tom Thompson applied the early pressure as the Station Road captain took the first. This, however, didn’t deter the Division One side with Brian Kendal pulling off a gruelling win in the second that culminated in a black ball finish.
United Club’s new signing, Peter O’Hagan, cued beautifully to deliver a convincing third frame victory and with Mark Suitor winning another black ball fight in the next the United Club had an unassailable lead at 3-1.
The last frame of the evening was another tight affair and in going to the third black ball contest of the match it was Darren Lawson who put an all important point on the board for the Station Road side.
