Round two of the Derwent Valley Asbestos Removals Handicap Knockout saw a series of close matches.
In Group A, Mark Tunstall (+24) secured his first win of the knockout campaign in a final frame decider against Adam Morilla (+40).
Tunstall made the perfect start, taking a tense opening frame on the final black.
He then doubled his advantage with a fluent display of scoring to secure the second frame and move within one frame of victory.
However, Morilla refused to surrender and with a strong display in frame three earned a convincing win to establish a foothold in the match.
He continued the comeback in frame four producing another commanding performance to level the match and force a deciding frame.
With the match evenly balanced, the final frame provided a fitting finale. Both players traded scoring opportunities throughout, but it was Tunstall who held his nerve to deposit the crucial final black to seal a narrow frame and match victory.
The second Group A match of the week saw Andrew Carter (+40) produce a commanding display to record a convincing 4-1 win over Mark Suitor (+29).
Carter used his handicap advantage with great effect, setting the tone early by taking the opening frame comfortably.
Suitor fought back in the second, with a determined display narrowly taking the frame to bring the match back on even terms.
Carter quickly regained control in frame three with some consistent scoring maintaining his handicap advantage throughout to retake the lead.
Any hopes of a comeback were effectively ended in the fourth frame as Carter delivered his strongest performance of the match. Restricting his opponent’s scoring opportunities, Carter powered to a comprehensive success to move beyond touching distance.
The final frame completed an impressive night’s work for Carter as he rounded off the match to seal an emphatic 4-1 result.
Group A remains an open contest with Carter and Tunstall sharing the lead alongside Messrs Basnett, O’Hagan and Suitor all with one win apiece.
In Group B Stephen Harrison (+36) defeated Andrew Mitchelhill (+9) 3-2 in a match packed with close finishes and momentum swings.
Harrison made full use of his handicap advantage, but a determined Mitchelhill struck the first blow with a tense final black to claim victory by the slimmest of margins and take an early lead.
The second frame followed a similar pattern, but this time it was Harrison who showed his fighting qualities to level the match.
Harrison then seized control of the contest in frame three, with a solid scoring display to secure the frame comfortably. Undeterred, Mitchelhill responded with a more polished scoring display of his own to restore the match score to parity.
With the match all to play for in the final frame, Harrison produced his best snooker of the evening, seizing every opportunity to score and taking full control of proceedings to secure a hard fought 3-2 victory.
In another close Group B encounter Stephen Jackson (+28) edged home 3-2 against Adam Sowden (+36).
Jackson made the stronger start, taking the opening frame narrowly before delivering a more accomplished performance to open up a commanding 2-0 lead.
Sowden responded in impressive fashion in the third frame, with a battling performance for a narrow, hard-earned victory. However, Jackson quickly put paid to any hopes of a comeback with a controlled display in frame four to ensure match victory.
In the final frame, Sowden refused to give in and finished the match on a high, with his best display of the night delivering a convincing win to minimise the losing deficit.
The wins from Harrison and Jackson maintain their 100% record and put them firmly in control of Group B.
