Snooker: Rockets still on course at the summit

Defending champions Blinders currently five points adrift

Report by Mike Crook:

There’s no change at the top of the Manx Car Store Snooker League as Finch Hill Rockets overcame the tricky obstacle of DSB Wannabes and their high handicaps.

DSB Wannabes 1-4 Finch Hill Rockets

The Rockets kept their three-point lead at the top courtesy of black ball wins in frames one and three. Doug Kinrade wrapped things up nicely with a 27 clearance in the finale. The only reward for the Wannabes on a night they slipped back to the bottom was Paul McKinstry’s win against debutant Rodger Clague. Scores: Steve Cowin 91-104 John Spellman, David Callister 42-73 Leon Martin, Dave Corris 56-62 Paddy Delaney, Paul McKinstry 81-37 Rodger Clague and James Teare 58-113 Doug Kinrade.

Snooker Bar-barians 3-2 Cue Zone Blinders

A fifth defeat in six for the reigning champions Blinders, they slip five points behind the Rockets, albeit with a game in hand. The home team, bottom of the league at the start of the evening played well, apart from perhaps the captain himself? Conor Mahon of the Blinders had the only break of the match, 25 but was pipped on the black by Andy Moore. Dollin Mercer kept his unbeaten record, now six from six. A good blue, pink finish from Chris Lawless in the decider sealed it for the Bar-barians. Scores: Andy Moore 68-55 Conor Mahon, Chris Reynolds 70-42 Brandon Forrester, Mark Davenport 13-61 Harry Ellis, Stephen Berry 67-86 Dollin Mercer and Chris Lawless 57-44 Scott Campion.

The Miscues 1-4 Finch Hill Musicians 'A'

It would be fair the say Miscues are not having much of a run. After this result they’ve only won two of their last 25 frames, but the end result this week was an improvement on last. Ollie Pickford only lost on the black 69-73 to Peter Collister before Musicians ‘A’ brought out their new signing, Tom Randall, which could prove to be an astute choice in helping their title chances. There was little between him and Rob Dolby, but an in-off from Dolby was followed up by another foul, touching the black with his hand when playing from the D, Randall running out a 35-64 winner. Kieran Horrox 33-48 Mike Doherty and Ben Peach 23-62 Simon Gardner made it 4-0 Musicians. Luca McDermott salvaged a point by being the first player to claim Vinny Dale’s scalp this season, 62-35.

Finch Hill Mob 3-2 Port St Mary Legion

Two in-form teams, but it was the Mob who gained revenge for a 5-0 whitewash in the reverse fixture, as did strangely enough the Bar-barians and Hurricanes in their respective matches. Peter Kirkham retrieved Terry Boyle’s 42 start and win on the black for frame and match in the decider. PSM’s Andrew Hutchison’s ninth win of the season puts him in a group five players one off the pace in the individual league, the others being Harry Ellis (Blinders), Mark Bolton (Rockets), John Kennish (Musicians ‘A’) and Chris Reynolds (Snooker Bar-barians). Scores: Alan Heath 58-33 Marc Morley, Steve Finnegan 54-78 Terry Tobin, Lee Hunt 29-84 Andrew Hutchison, Jonny Hogg 55-42 Dave Pickersgill and Peter Kirkham 77-73 Terry Boyle.

Cue Zone Masters 4-1 St Olave's

Report by Martin Rigg:

Martin Rigg 51-28 Mike Crook - Martin had the run of the balls at the start and was able to build up a lead of 30. It was a difficult table with no colours out in the open but Mike was able claw back to within eight points. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep the momentum going, (missed an absolute sitter of a brown - MC) and Martin took blue and pink to win the frame. Jez Hill 84-39 Paul Smyth - Some good scoring from Jez, adding to his handicap start, left Paul struggling to close the gap. Another win for Jez, who remains the Masters top performer. Brendan Clague 64-36 Dave Kelly - Comfortably the longest game of the night with both players struggling, Brendan just doing enough in the end. Les Briggs 24-53 Anthony Bayle - A pretty even frame for most of it but then Anthony found some form to build a decent lead. Ivan McMaw 83-45 Dan Crawley - With a 35 start and some good potting early on Ivan was able to maintain a healthy lead, by the last red he was 30 ahead. Dan potted it but was only able to get position on the yellow to draw the game. He narrowly missed it into the middle pocket, leaving himself needing snookers and couldn’t do any more.

Top League Standings

1.) Finch Hill Rockets - 48 points
2.) Finch Hill Musicians 'A' - 45 points
3.) Cue Zone Blinders - 43 points
 

High Break League Standings

1.) John Kennish - 37.5 points
2.) Peter Kirkham - 21 points
3.) Sean Roly - 18.5 points

Top Individual League Standings

1.) Paul Smyth - 10 wins
=) Matt Dodd - 10 wins