The DVARD Individual Snooker League has started with the Group stages of the Individual Handicap Knockout Competition.
In Group 1, Kevin Kirkham declared his intent with a 5-0 over Sal Cakmak, producing a 41 break on the way.
Kevin Basnett (scratch) produced the break of the season so far in his opening match against Darren Lawson (+29), compiling an imperious 128, before a thumping kick on the final black prevented a 135 total clearance.
This set the tone for the remaining frames as both players continued to produce a string of breaks. Basnett delivered further breaks of 35, 32 and 75, however Lawson responded with breaks of 38 and 30 to restrict the scoreline to 3-2.
In Group 2, Stephen Harrison (+37) begun his match against Ryan Ismay (+11) positively, taking the first frame, but Ismay recovered quickly and secured the next four frames comfortably.
Tom Thompson (+23) showed some fine potting form with a 58 break against Mark Suitor (+34), but it was the third frame, which went to the final black, which proved to be pivotal in Thompson earning a hard fought 3-2 victory.
A black ball finish in the third, also proved to be the pivotal moment in the Group 3 match between Richard Kirkham (+35) and Stephen Jackson (+38). Kirkham held his nerve to take the third and ultimately, the match 3-2.
Andrew Mitchelhill started his campaign with a 38 break and quickly secured a 2-0 lead over Mark Tunstall, but it was Tunstall who convincingly won the third and with growing confidence completed an excellent comeback to take the match 3-2.
Dave Chapman (+32) took an early lead in Group 4 with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Jamie Flitton (+45), but it was Chris Hunter (+32) who produced the underdog performance of the first round against Peter O’Hagan (+5).
O’Hagan demonstrated his scoring ability with a 40 break, but Hunter replied with breaks of 34 and 42 of his own, and made the most of his handicap start to earn a 3-2 victory.
In Week 3 of the League fixtures Kevin Basnett continued his knock-out form compiling breaks of 62 and 33 on his way to a 4-1 victory over Ryan Ismay who constructed his own break of 45 en-route to winning his single frame.
The match between Tom Thompson and Peter O’Hagan also saw a series of breaks. The first four frames were relatively evenly poised, with Thompson recording a break of 30, before O’Hagan responded with a 49 to edge out a 3-1 lead.
The final frame was more one-sided as O’Hagan seemed to be progressing towards a century before breaking down on 77 foe his highest League break of the season to date.
In Division 2, a convincing 5-0, whitewash over Jamie Flitton saw Sal Cakmak make his move to the top of the table.
The other Division 2 matches produced a series of final frame deciders for a string of 3-2 results.
In a match that swung to and fro, it was Richard Kirkham that eventually came through the victor against Darren Lawson.
Stephen Jackson looked in control racing to a 2-0 lead. However, some solid play from Dave Chapman saw him level the match. Chapman, maintained the momentum taking the final frame for a well-earned victory.
Chris Hunter also raced into a 2-0 lead, before Stephen Harrison started a fightback and levelled the match. However, Hunter regained his composure to prevent the second comeback of the week and emerge the victor.
