This week saw the Derwent Valley Asbestos Individual Handicap Knockout Group stages commence, as the players looked to earn a place in knockout stages.
In Group 1, Adam Sowden (+46) used his handicap advantage to push Andrew Mitchelhill (+9) all the way.
Sowden made a perfect start to the match making the better of the early scoring chances to extend his lead, before crafting a break of 30 to take the frame.
Mitchelhill struck back immediately in the second frame, compiling a 38 break, on his way to levelling the scores.
Mitchelhill maintained the pressure in the third and reduced the handicap deficit heading into the colours. However, Sowden produced an excellent clearance from the blue to move into a 2-1 lead.
Sensing danger, Mitchelhill dominated the fourth frame with a mix of steady scoring and tactical play, to comfortably level the match and force a deciding frame.
Mitchelhill continued in the same vain in the fifth, reducing the handicap deficit quickly. Sowden offered some resistance, but was unable to score sufficiently to halt the momentum and it was Mitchelhill who ultimately closed the frame out for a well earned 3-2 overall victory.
Stephen Harrison (+34) and Mark Tunstall (+24) had an equally close contest. Tunstall made the better of the scoring chances to move into a 1-0 lead.
Harrison soon started to settle into the match and with some consistent scoring proceeded to level the match and then move into a 2-1 lead.
Tunstall showed his determination and recovered to bring the match level again. With the match finely balanced it was Tunstall who was able to make the best of the chances and close out a hard fought 3-2 victory.
In Group 2 Dave Chapman (+29) continued his recent good form against Peter O’Hagan (+1).
Chapman was quickest to settle into a rhythm with some careful play keeping the scoreboard ticking over to secure the opening frame. O’Hagan responded immediately in the second to level the match and an assured break of 51 proved to be enough to take his second consecutive frame to move into a 2-1 lead, needing only a single frame to complete match victory.
Both players displayed their determination to secure the crucial fourth frame, trading blow for blow. The frame was still finely balanced with only the final black remaining.
Chapman looked poised to level the match as the first chance fell his way, but was unable to convert leaving O’Hagan with a relatively simple chance to take an unassailable 3-1 match lead. Chapman didn’t let his disappointment impact him and delivered a gritty performance to comfortably take the final frame as consolation.
Kevin Basnett (Scr) was in fluent scoring form against Chris Hunter (+30) producing breaks of 50, 45, 38, and 37 to swiftly establish a 4-0 lead.
Basnett continued to apply pressure in the final frame producing a further break of 33, however a resolute Hunter countered with a well constructed break of 38 to earn a valuable frame and quash Basnett’s hopes of a perfect start.
The final match of the opening round between Stephen Jackson (+33) and Andrew Carter (+45) was another close encounter which required a deciding frame.
Jackson made a commanding start and controlled the first two frames to ease into a 2-0 lead. Carter responded in the third with an equally controlled performance to start the comeback.
With both players now showing their competitive spirits, the fourth frame swung to and fro and inevitably came down to a final black conclusion, which a nerveless Carter deposited to bring the match to level terms at 2-2.
This pattern of play continued in the deciding frame and once again it came down to the crucial black to break the deadlock.
After a series of attempts, it was relieved Jackson who was able to convert to earn victory by the slimmest of margins.
