Cup action returned this week as teams from the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League battled it out in Qualifying Round 7 of the Eric McMullen Memorial TKO Handicap Trophy.
The first qualifying match of the week turned out to be a real classic, with a close encounter between Station Road and Workington Cons seeing the aforementioned come back from 2-0 down to record a thrilling 4-3 home victory.
Alan Moore (+13) put the Cons ahead with a commanding 67-27 win over Tom Thompson (+22). Julian Plaza (+21) then extended the lead to 2-0 with a stylish 76-39 victory against Stephen Lowery (+40).
But Station Road struck back in the doubles. Chris Hunter and John Teasdale (avg. +25) got their team on the board with a clinical 61-41 win over Brian Kendall and Alan Moore (avg. +35).
As momentum built, Thompson and Darren Lawson (avg. +22) levelled the tie with a hard-fought 60-39 triumph over Ryan Barker and Dave Holland (avg. +22).
Frame five saw the scoreline swing back in Cons favour as Brian Kendall (+50) showcased his all round game with a 64-28 win against John Teasdale (+22).
However, Chris Hunter (+25) drew the match level again with a confident 65-34 win over Holland (+13) for 3-3.
In a nerve-shredding decider, Darren Lawson (+22) demonstrated his bottle as he edged out Ryan Barker (+21) 66-65 on the final black, sealing an epic win for Station Road.
Station Road have 5 wins and 27 frames. Workington Cons have 2 wins and 20 frames.
Next up, United Club B were in dominant form as they dismantled division 2 rivals Maryport Social in a 6-1 home victory to pretty much secure their top four knockout spot.
In the opening frame, Stephen Harrison (+37) set the tone with an emphatic 71-19 win over Ben Scott (+38). The momentum surged further in frame two as Shane Tallentire (+45) overpowered Andrew Sharp (+32) with a commanding 60-26 scoreline to give United a 2-0 lead.
Maryport responded in the first of the doubles games, with Andrew Scott and Gary Miller (avg. +33) battling back to beat Adam Sowden and Stephen Harrison (avg. +42) 61-45 to pull one back.
However, United B surged again. Andrew Carter and Shane Tallentire (avg. +45) were ruthless in the fourth frame, limiting Ben Scott and Greg Todd (avg. +43) to just eight points in a clinical 41-8 win to put the home side 3-1 up.
Back to singles action, Andrew Carter (+45) maintained the pressure with a composed 64-29 win over Andrew Scott (+31), before Adam Sowden (+46) edged out Greg Todd (+48) 58-53, despite a tidy break of 31 by Todd.
In the final frame, United captain Stephen Jackson (+35) rounded off a resounding win with a stylish 67-24 victory over Gary Miller (+35) to complete a sensational 6-1 triumph.
United Club B now move to 5 wins and 30 frames, strengthening their place in the semi-final positions. Maryport remain on 1 win and 16 frames.
In what turned out to be the final match of the week Whitehaven’s Rack Shack put in one of their most convincing cup displays of the season with a 5-2 win over division 1’s Workington Veterans Club A.
The hosts raced into a 1-0 lead as Neil Dougherty (+43) edged out Mark Tunstall (+25) 57-21 in a tactical opening frame.
In the second, Phil Denvir (+37) produced 74-41 win to put the Rack Shack 2-0 up.
Doubles followed, where Neil Dougherty and Phil Denvir (avg. +40) produced a gritty 58-12 triumph to put the Whitehaven outfit 3-0 in the lead.
The fourth frame saw Andy Moore and Chris McKelvey (avg. +36) overcome Paul Smith and Mark Tatton (avg. +32) 66-45 to extend the match score to an unassailable 4-0 advantage.
Vets A responded with resilience in frame five as Mark Tatton (+26) defeated Andy Moore (+30) 68-57 to pull it back to 4-1.
In frame six Vets A captain, Kevin Basnett (Scr) dragged it back to 4-2 with a polished 99-53 win over Chris McKelvey (+42).
However the match ended sweetly for the Rack Shack as Adam Morilla (+39) took the final frame on the black in a 58-50 victory over Paul Smith (+39)
Rack Shack now climb to 2 wins and 20 frames, while Veterans Club A remain 3 wins and 20 frames.
Workington Golf Club made a big move in the table without lifting a cue, after Veterans Club B unfortunately forfeited the match, resulting in a 7-0 walkover for the visitors.
The result sees Golf Club jump to 3 wins and 24 frames. Vets Club B remain on 2 wins and 16 frames.
