League & Cup News - 10th March 2010

[Mike Langdon]

Moore on the brink of Title Glory

Singles League

Back to back four nil wins have propelled BCI's James Moore to the brink of the Premier Division Title.  The first was an important win against potential title rival, the inform Chris Winter before proving too strong on the night against the dangerous Lee Crombie.  The two wins leave Moore realistically needing just one more win from three matches to claim the title.  The chase is very much alive for second spot with last years champion Nav Hussain, league newcomer Stewart Crosswell and Chris Winter all still in the picture with some matches against each other to boot.  Lee Crombie picked up a good win against Zeb Ahmed and a draw against Nav Hussain to probably ensure he'll be playing Premier division snooker next season leaving Ahmed and Elliott to contest the relegation dog-fight.  In Division One it looks likely to go right down to the wire with Danny Castel-Nuovo and Malc Belshaw swapping places at the top every other week.  Castel-Nuovo beat Belshaw 3-1 to put himself in pole position but failed to capitalize on the win when held to a draw by Wayne Bilbie who knocked in an excellent 38 break.  Belshaw seized the moment with a great four nil win over the divisions surprise package Shaun Parkinson and will go back to the top of the table if he can win his next match at home against Toby Irons.  Division Two was looking done and dusted a month back with Paul Bell 4 points clear and looking unbeatable.  However Rob Wallace secured an excellent 3-1 win over said player and now stands level on points along with Jordan Parnham in a three way tie at the top.  Bell does has the comfort of a game in hand over his two nearest rivals but it's looking like another exciting title run in.

Pegasus Duo To Meet in Semi Final Showdown

Singles Championship.

Pegasus Snooker Club are guaranteed at least one player in the final of this seasons Singles Championship after both Nav Hussain & Chris Brooks were drawn against each other in the semi-finals.  Brooks bagged his place with a solid three nil win against Stewart Crosswell whilst Hussain came through a scrappy quarter-final against Sherwood's Wayne Bilbie winning by the same scoreline.  I say at least one player as Zeb Ahmed kept up his incredible run in this competition with an excellent 3-1 away win over BCI's Kwok Yip.  However, Ahmed has a tricky looking Semi-final trip to Beeston against either Clint I'Anson or Neil Jones if he is to make it to a incredible third successive final.

Superb Broome bags Semi Final Spot

Handicap Singles Championship

When BCI's entry list for this years competition was filled out not many would have put money on Clint Broome reaching the semi-finals.  However, having raised a few eyebrows by seeing off Matt Hearson-Ellis, Andy Spicer plus fellow clubmate Steve Coleman he reached the semi-finals with an excellent two nil away win against Arnold's James Notman. Broome now has former BCI player Wayne Martin standing in the way of a dream final appearance for the 21 handicapper.  The other semi final is a tasty looking encounter between 2009 Notts Amateur champion, Keith Holgate and Beestons Neil Jones.  Holgate came through a close contest winning 2-1 against Sherwoods Lee Crombie whilst Jones proved too strong for BCI's Shaun Parkinson.

Defending Champions Hold Heads High

Handicap Singles Championship

2009 winners Steve Butler & Matt Hearson-Ellis from Stadium Leisure can hold their heads high after a great defence of their title was ended by the strong Arnold pairing of Chris Winter & Gary Spencer.  Butler knocked in a 33 break to take the match to a deciding frame but it wasn't to be as the Arnold pair finished strongly in the last frame.  Barry Stark was in terrific form making a nice 65 break to win the opening frame and then clearing up down to the pink to see off Pegasus's Wayne Martin & Mike Langdon.  They will be joined in the semi final line-up by another Stadium pair after Danny Di Folco and Bob Walker beat Mapperley's Andy Carnell & Don Merry two nil.  In the other quarter-final, BCI's Jason Bettridge and Tony Collins came through by two frames to one against Phoenix Cue Sports Stephen Lally and Gaz Birks.

Mike Langdon (Tournament Secretary)