The fifth round of cup qualifying in the Eric McMullen Memorial Handicap Trophy replaced L&L Property Contractors Snooker League action this week, but with some thrilling action teams battled to improve their table positions.
The race for the top four is heating up, with teams vying for a place in the semi-finals. However, the biggest story of the round was Rack Shack’s historic 7-0 whitewash over Maryport Social—the first-ever clean sweep in the competition.
The Rack Shack’s historic victory over Maryport Social, catapulting them up the table as the match started with Chris McKelvey (handicap 42) securing a solid 55-31 win over Ben Scott, before Andy Moore (30) extended the lead with a 61-21 victory over Gary Miller (35).
In the first of the doubles frames, Rack Shack’s Andy Moore and Adam Morilla (combined handicap 35) comfortably defeated Andrew Sharp and Andrew Scott (combined handicap 32) 69-33, while Phil Denver and Lee Dougherty (39) dominated Ben Scott and Gary Miller (37) 57-16, putting Rack Shack 4-0 up.
Singles action resumed with Phil Denver beating Greg Todd (48) 68-33, followed by Adam Morilla (39) outplaying Andrew Sharp (32) 52-22 to make it 6-0.
The whitewash was completed as Lee Dougherty (40) comfortably defeated Andrew Scott 66-43, marking a remarkable 7-0 win for Rack Shack.
Rack Shack move up one place into seventh while Maryport Social at the bottom of the table in ninth.
In the next match, Workington’s United Club B continued their push for the semi-finals with a 5-2 away win over Workington Golf Club.
The opening frame saw Ryan Ismay (10) put the Golf Club in front with an 80-52 win over Stephen Harrison.
United B responded in frame two as Stephen Jackson (35) fought hard to defeat Mark Brasted (14) 74-51, levelling the match at 1-1.
Momentum shifted in the doubles match up’s as United B’s Shane Tallentire and Adam Sowden (combined handicap 45) secured a 77-30 win over Mark Cowan and Phil Sorfleet (combined handicap 16), followed by Stephen Jackson and Andrew Carter (combined handicap 40) comfortably defeating Golf Club’s Ryan Ismay and Bryan Walker (combined handicap 15) 74-28 to put United B 3-1 ahead.
Back in singles action, Andrew Carter (45) extended the lead to 4-1 with a 68-36 win over Brian Walker (20) before Phil Sorfleet (14) pulled one back for the Golf Club, winning 88-41 against Adam Sowden (46).
However, Shane Tallentire (45) sealed a 5-2 win for United B by edging Mark Cowan (18) 66-51 in the final frame of the match to end 5-2 in favour of United B.
United Club B move to the top of the table with four wins out of five while Workington Golf Club sit in eighth with one win from four.
Workington’s United Club A continued their strong cup campaign with a 4-3 victory over Workington Cons in a match as close as the score suggested.
Dave Chapman (24) gave United A the perfect start with a 57-49 win over Alan Moore (13).
Frame two saw Peter O’Hagan (6) in top form, outplaying Julian Plaza (21) 70-32 to double United A’s lead to 2-0.
Workington Cons struck back in the doubles as Alan Moore and Julian Plaza (combined handicap 17) defeated Dave Chapman and Andrew Mitchelhill (combined handicap 18) 56-15 to reduce the deficit.
A superb frame from Brian Kendall and Ryan Barker (combined handicap combined handicap 36) saw them defeat Mark Suitor and Clive Lister (combined handicap 25) 74-12, levelling the match at 2-2.
In singles, Brian Kendall (50) kept up the momentum, beating Mark Suitor (32) 63-37 to put Cons 3-2 ahead.
However, Andrew Mitchelhill responded brilliantly, edging Ryan Barker 69-65 in a thriller to level the match once again at 3-3.
In the decider, Clive Lister (18) took the frame, giving United Club A an important 4-3 victory.
United Club A remain in third with three wins out of five and Workington Cons drop to sixth with two wins out of five.
Up next, Workington Veterans Club A edged a hard-fought 4-3 victory over local rivals Vets Club B in a tense encounter.
The match started well for Vets A as Mark Tunstall (25) played a brilliant frame to defeat Wayne Sinclair (39) 85-51.
However, Vets B hit back in frame two, with Adam Hodgson (45) narrowly beating a determined Stephen O’Hagan (18) 68-56 to level the match.
In the first doubles frame, Mark Tunstall and Mark Tatton (combined handicap 26) dominated Adam Hodgson and Wayne Sinclair (combined handicap 42) 80-47, aided by a break of 30 from Tunstall, giving Vets A a 2-1 lead.
The second doubles frame saw Kevin Basnett and Paul Smith (combined handicap 19) showcase their class, with Basnett making a brilliant 62 break in a 112-40 rout over Jordan Ferguson and Paul Johnston (combined handicaps 50), extending the Vets A lead to 3-1.
Back to the singles, and in frame five, Mark Tatton (26) ground out a 54-46 win over Simon Tootle (45), putting Vets A 4-1 up.
Vets B mounted a late fightback, as Lewis Straughton (45) produced a fine potting display in a dominant 89-20 win over Kevin Basnett (scratch), pulling it back to 4-2.
In the final frame, Jordan Ferguson (50) nicked a 64-59 victory over the unfortunate Paul Smith (38), making the final score 4-3 in favour of Vets Club A.
Vets Club A climb to fifth on two wins out of four (+/- 0 frames) while remain in fourth also with two wins out of four (+/- 2 frames).
