The Derwent Valley Asbestos Removal Individual Snooker League moved into knockout action this week, as the group qualifying stage of the competition started.
In Group A Wayne Sinclair (+39) took full advantage of his handicap to push Kevin Basnett (Scr) all the way. Sinclair took the opening frame, despite a 41 break from Basnett.
Sinclair demonstrated his safety prowess and restricting scoring opportunities for Basnett in the second to ensure the frame came down to the final black, but Basnett maintained his calm to level the match.
A 31 break was enough to secure a 2-1 lead for Basnett, but Sinclair displayed his fighting qualities, comfortably taking the next to take the match to a final frame decider.
Sinclair continued to effectively deploy his careful game plan In the decider, but reigning County Champion Basnett was able to make the best of the scoring opportunities to craft his way to a relieving 3-2 victory.
The second Group A match between Dave Chapman (+24) and Mark Tunstall (+25) also swung to and fro, culminating in yet another deciding frame.
Chapman begun the quicker, taking the opening frame relatively easily. Tunstall started to settle into the match in frame two, and narrowly pinched the frame on the final black to even the scoresheet.
Building on the momentum, Tunstall maintained control taking the third to move within a frame of victory. Undeterred, Chapman responded in fine fashion winning the fourth frame by the most comfortable margin in the match, to level the scoreline once again.
Both players exchanged chances in the decider, and the game progressed down towards the colours. In the end, it was Tunstall who was able to convert the final chance to emerge a 3-2 victor in an evenly balanced contest.
In Group B Andrew Carter (+45) continued his impressive run of form, with a whitewash win over Mark Suitor (+32). The overall result doesn’t reflect the competitive nature of the match, as all the frames could have gone either way.
Carter scored slightly better in the opening two frames to edge out a lead. The final three frames were all won on the final black, and the nerveless Carter continued to deliver the final blow in each to frustrate Suitor and earn a compelling match result.
In Group C, Stephen Jackson (+35) made a strong start to his cup campaign with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Jamie Flitton (+46).
Jackson quickly raced into the lead, wining the first three frames comfortably. Flitton rallied somewhat in the fourth, but narrowly missed out on the chance for the frame as Jackson potted the final black to extend his lead. Flitton produced his best performance of the night in the final frame, and crafted his way to a comfortable frame win to avoid a whitewash.
Adam Sowden (+46) also made a promising star, with a 4-1 result over Stephen Harrison (+37). The opening frame was a tense high-scoring exchange as both players traded chances trying to secure an advantage.
Harrison held a slim lead as the game evolved towards a black ball ending but couldn’t deliver the final blow and it was Sowden who sank the final pot to take the frame by a single point.
Sowden continued to press on and promptly captured the following two frames to establish an unassailable 3-0 lead. Harrison recovered his composure to halt Sowden’s progress in the fourth and hold onto the chance of minimising the losing deficit, but Sowden was clinical in the final frame to round off a comprehensive victory.
