Workington Veterans Club produced their best performance of the season so far in the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League.
They scored a 4-1 home victory over close rivals and fellow Division One side, Workington’s United Club.
A commanding performance from Mark Tatton, that included some slick potting, gave the Vets outfit some early confidence and as they also took the second frame a 2-0 advantage was gained.
Frame three lined up a real clash of the titans as Vets captain Kevin Basnett took on United’s Peter O’Hagan.
In a game that ebbed and flowed it was O’Hagan who eventually left Basnett snookered on the yellow with just the colours remaining.
Even though the ex-county champion escaped it was O’Hagan who mopped up the balls he required to pull one back for 2-1.
Returning from a week out Vets Mark Tunstall showed no signs of rustiness and in a high-scoring contest he converted an early lead to put his side 3-1 ahead.
In the final frame of the match Steve Garroway soared to a 30 point lead, nevertheless with a solid comeback from his opponent the Vets cueist required the last four balls for the win.
He chipped the brown in nicely and got position on the blue which was just what was required and in completing the finish it was Garroway who topped off a brilliant team performance.
The Vets Club draw level with United Club on 14 points as a result but still remain fourth in Division One on frame points scored difference.
Division One league leaders Workington Conservative Club faced Division Two’s Station Road Club and even though a league tier may separate the two sides the Cons outfit didn’t have it all their own way as they scraped a 3-2 home victory.
A fine first frame performance against top opposition from Tom Thompson put Station Road on the front foot at 1-0 but with Cons’ Julian Plaza displaying all elements of his superior ring craft in frame two match parity was achieved.
In the next the equally tactically astute Alan Moore gave little away and even though the contest produced a relatively low points total it was the Cons veteran who won easily for a 2-1 lead.
Frame four delivered a much more even contest but ultimately it was the more measured approach that won the day as Dave Holland put the Cons further in front at 3-1.
The fixture’s last frame again produced another close affair but this time it was Station Road’s turn to convert and with a satisfying victory it was Darren Lawson who took the point to finish the match just one adrift at 3-2.
Workington Cons remain top of Division One on 21 points with Station Road second in Division Two on 12 points.
In a battle of the Division Two sides Whitehaven’s Rack Shack continued to show their improvement, however it was not without a scare as in coming back from 2-1 down they defeated league newcomers Workington Golf Club B in a thrilling 3-2 scoreline.
Golf Club B started brilliantly as Fletcher Hodgson took a close first frame for 1-0 only to see the Rack Shack’s Peter Hodgson level with a victory in frame two. Ryan Pearson put the Golf Club B 2-1 in front with a back ball win in frame three and as Adam Morilla won a one sided fourth frame a decider was required to split the two teams.
Needing a cool head to deal with the last frame pressure Andy Moore delivered with aplomb to record a solid win and push the Rack Shack over the line in the process. Whitehaven’s Rack Shack stay fourth in Division Two on 11 points and the Golf Club B sit two positions lower on five points.
Finally, Division One’s Workington Golf Club A sent home Division Two leaders, Flimby Social, feeling frustrated on the back of 3-2 victory.
A re-spotted black ball win for the Golf Club A’s Bryan Walker put the Division One side 1-0 up, but with Mike ‘Sid’ Walker winning frame two Flimby pulled it back to 1-1.
Paul Vickers put in an imperious performance to make it 2-1 to Flimby but back came the Golf Club to make it 2-2 with an excellent display from Mark Brasted.
In the final frame of the match a closer contest inevitably unfolded with both sides fancying their chances of a match victory. Nevertheless it was Phil Sorfleet who stood up to the challenge to complete the Golf Club win in superb fashion to the delight of Golf Club A support.
Flimby remain in charge of Division Two on 17 points with the Golf Club A second in Division One only by number of wins but on the same points total (21) as leaders Workington Cons.
