L&L Property Contractors Snooker League fixtures were put on hold for the Eric McMullen Memorial TKO Handicap Trophy round four qualifying to take place.
Flimby Social sit top of group B on the back of a 4-1 away win against Workington Conservative Club and even though Workington Golf Club A went down 3-2 in an away tie to fellow townies United Club A they still top group A, and are favourites to make the main competition semi-finals with just one round of qualifying remaining.
Workington Cons started well with a victory for Brian Kendall (+50 handicap) but as Flimby captain Geoff Banton (+39) won on the black the scores were level at 1-1.
At this point the social side upped their game and with wins from Michael ‘Sid’ Walker (+30), Sal Cakmak (+27) and finally Kevin Kirkham (+5) the Division One title chasers guaranteed their place in the last four.
Cons cannot qualify for the main competition and need to win their final game against Workington Golf Club B 4-1 or greater to make the plate.
Also in group B the United Club B produced an excellent 3-2 away victory at Workington’s Station Road Club and are now assured of a semi-final place in the main competition.
A black ball win for Jamie Flitton (+45) put United B 1-0 up, however back came Station Road as Mark Robertson (+36) took the second for 1-1.
Stephen Harrison (+36) put the United Club B 2-1 up with a win in frame three but it was Chris Hunter (+36) who ensured the game went to a decider with a self-assured performance to take frame four.
The decider proved to be a tight affair with the game inevitably going down to the colours, but with ice running through his veins Stephen Jackson (+38) potted the balls he required to win the match and take his team into the semi finals.
Station Road Club are now relying on a favourable result in the last round fixture between Workington Cons and Workington Golf Club B just to make the plate.
In group A Workington’s United Club A increased their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the main competition significantly with a 3-2 home win against Workington Golf Club A.
A quite brilliant clearance of 62 from the Golf A’s Ryan Ismay (+15) set-up the match nicely and with Mark Brasted (+17) winning a close second frame the Golf A outfit looked good for the match win.
However, back came the United A side and with a victory from Clive Lister (+20) followed by a win from Peter O’Hagan, that included a break of 38, a fifth frame decider was required to split the two teams.
Giving away nearly 30 points in the decider Andrew Mitchelhill (+13) needed to stay focused right from the off, and with an unruffled display the United A captain picked off the points he required and eventually guided his team to an almost certain semi final place.
Workington Golf Club A top group A and other than a heavy defeat in their final qualifying game against Maryport Social, plus other results not going in their favour, their chance of a semi-final place is extremely strong.
Workington’s Veterans Club A recorded a solid 4-1 home victory against Whitehaven’s Rack Shack and even though it was the Division Two side’s first qualifying win they still have a chance to make the plate, a competition they won last term.
A 34 break from Peter McAvoy (+32) was enough for the Rack Shack to take a 1-0 lead but with Craig Davies (+32) winning frame two followed by another Vets A victory in frame three the home side moved 2-1 up.
A Kevin Basnett (Scr) win in the next ensured the match victory at 3-1 and as Mark Tatton (+24) won the last the Vets A kept up their hopes of having a crack at the plate yet again.
The Rack Shack need to beat the United Club A in their final qualifying game if they are to make the main competition semi finals.
Finally in group A, Workington’s Veterans Club B travelled to Maryport Social and with a 3-2 away win they set up a shoot-out with their A team in the final qualifying game with the winners almost certain of making the plate semis.
A victory for Maryport’s Ben Scott (+37) was soon cancelled out as Dan Hallam (+50) levelled the match with a win in frame two.
A black ball victory for Jordan Ferguson (+50) moved the Vets B to the front for the first time at 2-1 and as Luke Richardson took frame four the Vets B match win was assured.
A final frame win for Greg Todd (+50) may have only improved the score slightly but frame difference point keeps Maryport in with shout of qualifying for the plate as they face Workington Golf Club A away in their last fixture.
Tables
Group A
1. W’ton Golf Club A – 3 wins/12 frames
2. United Club A – 3 wins/12 frames
3. Rack Shack – 2 wins/9 frames
4. Vets Club B – 2 wins/8 frames
5. Maryport Social – 1 win/9 frames
6. Vets Club A – 1 win/9 frames
Group B
1. Flimby Social – 3 wins/13 frames
2. United Club B – 3 wins/10 frames
3. Station Road Club – 1 wins/8 frames
4. W’ton Golf Club B – 1 wins/7 frames
5. W’ton Cons – 0 win/3 frames
