Cup action featured again this week as the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League fixtures stepped aside.
In their place were qualifying round five matches in the Derwent Valley Asbestos Removal and Demolition sponsored Eric McMullen Memorial Handicap Trophy.
In group A Maryport Social produced one of their most controlled performances of the campaign to secure a commanding 4–1 home victory over United Club A.
Ryan Ismay (+15 handicap) set the tone for Maryport with a clinical 87–47 win over Dave Chapman (+29), overturning the handicap early and never relinquishing control.
Andrew Sharp (+32) followed up with a composed 58–44 success against Clive Lister (+19) in frame two to extend Social’s lead to 2–0.
Andrew Skidmore (+45) effectively sealed the contest in frame three, powering past United A’s Darryl Walters (+25) 71–28 to secure the match win at 3-0.
Maryport’s Stuart Shepherd (+21) got the better of Andrew Mitchelhill with a 68-51 scoreline in the next, even though the Workington cueist made a break of 41.
However, the final word went to United A as Mark Suitor (+28) closed out the evening with a solid 56–21 win over Andrew Scott (+31) to offer some consolation at 4–1.
Maryport Social move onto three match wins, climbing to the summit of Group A on a +9 frame difference. United Club A remain on two match wins and drop to bottom of the table with a -7 frame difference, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the semi-finals.
Also up in Group A, home side Workington Legion delivered arguably their strongest performance of the qualifying stage to defeat former group leaders Workington Golf Club 4–1.
Legion’s Adam Hodgson (+44) opened with a confident 61–50 win over Simon Frazer (+32) before Jordan Ferguson (+50) doubled the advantage with an excellent 65–31 victory over the Golf Club’s Brian Walker (+25).
Lewis Straughton (+50) produced a powerful 82–56 display in frame three against Phil Sorfleet (+19) to ensure the match win went the Legion’s way at 3-0.
In frame four Lewis Tilley (+40) pulled one back for Golf Club with a 72–18 win over Dan Hallam (+50), but Simon Tootle (+43) wrapped up the evening, defeating Mark Brasted (+15) 66–44 to complete a deserved 4–1 Legion triumph.
Workington Legion sit third in group A on two match wins and – 5 frames, while Workington Golf Club are second on three wins and +3 frames.
In group B, Whitehaven’s Rack Shack edged a tight encounter 3-2 away to Workington’s United B, cementing their qualification hopes in the process.
United B’s Richard Kirkham (+28) narrowly lost the opener 55–49 to Phil Denvir, but Stephen Harrison (+36) levelled with a dominant 60–20 win over the Rack Shack’s Chris McKelvey (+37).
United B captain Stephen Jackson (+33) edged a tense third frame 53–50 against Adam Morilla (+44) to swing the momentum United’s way at 2-1.
The Rack Shack responded through Andrew Carruthers (+45), however, defeating United B’s Andrew Carter (+44) 53–20 to level the match at 2–2. In the decider, Rack Shack’s Lee Dougherty (+40) edged Adam Sowden (+46) 39–37 for a 3-2 match victory in a fitting climax to a thrilling encounter.
The Rack Shack move onto three match wins, and sit in second place with a -5 frame difference. United B remain on three match wins, but with their +3 frame difference they still sit on top of group B.
In the remaining match in group B, and the final game of the week, Workington Conservative Club produced a clinical away performance to defeat fellow townies the Vets Club 4–1, and significantly tighten the qualifying battle with just one game to go.
Vets Club’s Paul Johnston (+50) was narrowly edged 73–65 in the opener by Richard McCarthy (+5), giving Cons the early advantage.
Mark Tunstall (+24) then suffered a heavy 88–18 defeat at the hands of Cons’ Brian Kendall (+50) as the visitors extended their lead to 2-0.
Kevin Basnett (scratch) responded in style for the Vets, compiling a break of 34 in a commanding 74–42 win over Alan Moore (+8) to reduce the deficit to 2–1 and briefly spark hopes of a comeback.
However, Cons’ Ryan Barker (+30) had other ideas beating Mark Tatton (+26) 65–31 before Dave Holland (+20) completed the victory for Workington Cons with a 63–39 win in the last.
Workington Cons move to third place in group B on two match wins and +3 frames, while the Vets Club drop to fourth, also on two wins but -1 frames.
