It was a week for comebacks in the latest slice of action in the Stone Pool League, with five teams coming from behind to take the points. Here’s a full round-up of all the latest action…
#Jokaz 5-3 Moddershall
In a keenly fought contest, Jokaz made the most of an in-off black by Mark Bradshaw in the opener. Ben Warrilow rattled a straight black for an eight ball in frame two, but still managed to win the frame. Wins for Phil Ratherham, Justin Kirkham, and Lynn Bromley gave Jokaz a 4-1 lead. Ben Warrilow with his second win of the night, and Dan Cousins ensured the match went to a final frame. Nick Beech secure the points for home side with an epic last frame victory over Shaun Brian.
Cuckoo 3-5 Lamb
Foster and Smith gave Cuckoo a suprise 2-0 lead before Simon Key pulled done before the visitors. In-form Gavin Davies then won back to back frames to give Lamb a 3-2 lead. Hart made it 3 a piece before Simon Key regained Lamb’s lead, and Brendan Ruttledge sealed the win in the final frame to take Lamb joint top of the league.
Eccleshall Eagles 4-4 Lamb ‘A’
A share of the spoils saw Lamb ‘A’ lose the only remaining 100% record in the league. Steve Guildford opened the Eagle’s account, before Steve Loughhead made it 1-1. Eagle then won 3 on the bounce to take a 4-1 lead. Lougheead won his second of the night before Paul Knight and Andy Conner rescued a point and secure a share of top spot.
Lamb Hot Pots 4-4 Stone Cricket Club
Lamb Hot Pots dropped another point in a match they were favourites to win. They led 4 times with two wins each for Ben Smith and Neil Dale, but each time were pegged back with wins for Johnny Cheadle, Rich Chandler, and a double from Ian Banks.
Lamb Phall 2-6 Joker
With Mark Welton on refereeing duty at the England National Trials in Great Yarmouth, Mark Perry reurned to The Joker’s starting line-up. Gaz Cummings took the opener for The Joker, before wins for Mark Tolley and Chris Smith saw the Lamb side take a shock 2-1 lead over last season’s treble winners. This seemed to bring the best out of the reigning champions though, and they took the next five frames with a second win for Cummings and two more from the still unbeaten Melvin Archer.
Langtry’s 2-6 Longton Snooker Club
Botton side Langtry’s seemed to be on their way to their first points of the season with Steve James and Rob Hughes giving the home side a 2-0 lead. Scot James then missed a straight forward black for a chance to make it 3-0. Nick Backhouse didn’t give him a second chance though, and Longton won all of the remaining frames with 2 wins each for Backhouse and Sean Doolan.
Little Stoke 5-3 Labour in Vain
A return to winnings ways saw Little Stoke remain in the top four. Man of the season so far, Lee Walker led the way, taking the opening frame, before Labour hit back to take a 2-1 advantage. Another frame for Walker, bracketed by son Jack, and Craig Foster gave Little Stoke a 4-2 lead. Andy Gibson’s second win of the night, gave Labour some hope, but Russ Britton sealed the win for the home side.
Talbot 3-5 Longton Cricket Club
After a poor start to the season, Longton Cricket Club continued their progress up the table with a closely fought contest over Talbot. Talbot took a 1-0 lead through Billy Berry before Longton rallied to go 3-1 ahead. Berry’s second frame of the evening gave Talbot a glimmer of hope, but Colin Paterson and Matty Moores saw Longton over the line with their third consecutive 5-3 victory.
[box type=”info” ]Next week we’ll have all the action from the Griffin’s Butchers Gold Cup and Gold Plate Cup quarter-finals.[/box]
Last Man Standing: Lee Walker and Melvin Acher have now won all 12 of their league frames in 2016. Their respectives teams meet in the next league fixture on 17th March.
