Attention turned to the Eric McMullen Memorial Handicap Trophy second stage qualifying round in the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League.
It delivered some thrilling matches, including one or two stand-out individual performances to boot.
In a fiercely contested first match up, United Club B claimed a memorable 4-3 away victory over a very experienced Workington Conservative Club side, showing both grit and composure under extreme pressure.
In frame one, United Club B’s Richard Kirkham (+31) was to set the tone with a solid and tactical performance. Great shot selection and strategic knowledge was enough for the United B cueist to some he overcome Cons’ Brian Kendall (+50) 65-36 for a 1-0 lead.
United B captain, the in-form Stephen Jackson (+35) continued the momentum in frame two and with some fine potting delivered a commanding 79-24 victory over Julian Plaza (21) for a 2-0 match advantage.
The first of the doubles frames saw Cons strike back. David Holland and Alan Moore (combined handicap +17) played with precision and determination, and with a Holland contribution of 44 it was enough to help secure a 70-39 win against Adam Sowden and Stephen Harrison (+42) of United Club B.
It brought Cons back into the match just one adrift at 2-1.
In the second doubles frame, United Club B rallied as Stephen Jackson, paired with Andrew Carter (+40) struck back. Their focused and steady play earned them a 57-29 victory over Cons’ Ryan Barker and Brian Kendall (+40), restoring United Club B’s two frame lead for 3-1.
Back in the singles for frame five, United B’s Andrew Carter (45) took on Cons’ two-time county champion Alan Moore (13). Carter made the most of his handicap advantage, exhibiting a composed game to defeat Moore 63-25, to give the United Club B an unassailable 4-1 lead.
With the United B match victory secured frame six saw Cons’ Ryan Barker (+31) deliver a tenacious performance, narrowly defeating Stephen Harrison (+37) on the last few balls in a 67-59 triumph to pull a frame difference point back.
In the final frame of the match Cons’ David Holland (+21) played decisively to overcome Adam Sowden (+46) 62-37, clawing the match score back to 4-3 in a very resilient ending to the tie.
Station Road A put on a commanding display, securing an impressive 5-2 home victory over Veterans Club B in a match that highlighted their depth and control.
In frame one, Station Road A talisman Kevin Kirkham (Scr) displayed unwavering focus, playing a solid yet attacking game to defeat Vets B’s Simon Tootle (+45) 82-57, giving his team an early boost.
Tom Thompson (+22) of Station Road A quickly wiped out the handicap difference In the next frame and in maintaining steady control he beat Vets B’s Luke Richardson (+50) 77-60, extending the lead to 2-0.
In the first of the doubles frames, John Teasdale and Chris Hunter (+25) from Station Road A showed cohesion and composure, comfortably defeating Jordan Ferguson and Paul Johnston (+50) 67-33, putting Station Road A in a commanding 3-0 lead.
The second doubles frame had Station Road’s Tom Thompson and Darren Lawson (+22) take on Vets B’s Wayne Sinclair and Adam Hodgson (+45). The Station Road pairing worked well displaying confident and assured teamwork to secure an 81-42 victory, placing their team in an impenetrable 4-0 lead.
In frame five, Vets B finally made it onto the scoreboard, with Adam Hodgson (+50) showing great resilience to defeat John Teasdale (+20) 55-27, pulling a point back make it 4-1 as a result.
The penultimate frame of the match saw Darren Lawson (+22) of Station Road A in top form, dominating Jordan Ferguson (+50) for a 78-37 victory and a subsequent extension to their lead for 5-1.
Vets B’s Wayne Sinclair (+39) utilised all his tactical skills in the last frame of the match to outplay Station Road’s Chris Hunter (+30), winning 71-40 to close the match and add a little bit more respectability into the scoreline to close at 5-2.
Veterans Club A exhibited determination and skill to lead 4-1 in their qualifying game against Maryport Social, but with great resilience the Social side won the remaining two frames to close the match just one adrift at 4-3.
In the first frame of the match Maryport Social’s Ben Scott (+26) started strongly, showcasing his precision to overpower Vets A’s Mark Tunstall (+25) 83-21, putting his side 1-0 ahead.
Vets A’s Mark Tatton (+26) responded in frame two with a composed display, and in continuing his recent fine form he defeated Maryport’s Andrew Sharp (+32) 51-32 to level the match at 1-1.
In the first doubles frame, Vets A demonstrated a cohesive synergy, with the home pairing securing a 61-25 victory over Maryport’s Greg Todd and Andrew Sharp (+40), placing them 2-1 in front.
The second doubles frame saw Vets A’s Paul Smith and Kevin Basnett (+19) put on a determined display. A mid frame break of 38 including an excellent colours clearance by Basnett was just enough to edge out Ben Scott and Andrew Scott (+35) 72-63, bringing Vets A’s lead to 3-1.
In frame five, Basnett (Scr) continued his impressive form and in delivering a stunning break of 44 he defeated Maryport’s Gary Miller (+35), who conceded with four reds left, putting Vets A in an unassailable 4-1 lead.
Despite Vets A’s victory, Maryport fought back. In frame six, Andrew Scott played with flair, scoring 51-42 to pull one back for his team, making it 4-2.
In the final frame of the tie, Greg Todd (+48) of Maryport Social produced one of his best performances of the season so far, defeating Vets A’s Paul Smith (+38) 61-9, ending the match with a fighting 4-3 scoreline.
Final Score Summaries
1. United Club B 4-3 Workington Conservative Club
2. Station Road A 5-2 Veterans Club B
3. Veterans Club A 4-3 Maryport Social
In the pic in-form Stephen Jackson compiles another break For United Club B
