Latest from Ormskirk Snooker League

Oct 25 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

THE top two sides in the Ormskirk Snooker League First Division went into battle this week.

The outcome saw a comprehensive 5-1 triumph for new boys Crosby Village SC and this result has enabled them to open up a healthy five point advantage at the top of the table.

This match saw Les Dodd's Gareth Hibbott play his first match of the season due to other commitments and normal service was resumed as he captured the Break of the Week accolade with an excellent break of 53 in his frame success.

The frame began with a lot of safety play and with a slender advantage in the frame, Gareth proceeded to compile his break with his usual trademark fluency together with some fine pots and positional play.

His classy contribution unfortunately came to an end when he missed a tricky third last red but this break gave him a commanding lead and shortly after he sealed the frame. Gareth has played in the Ormskirk League since the 1999-2000 season and has been, without doubt, one of the best players within the League capturing many League Titles with his former club, Southport SC, sadly no longer with us, and a number of Individual and Pairs honours.

Gareth's latest achievement was to finish last season as the Division One highest ranked player and, yet again, unbeaten with 22 wins and no defeats from his 22 leagues matches played. Gareth will also be part of the Ormskirk League team who will be heading for the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester in four weeks time as they bid to regain the UK Leaguesnooker Tournament Title they won two years ago and so narrowly failed to retain last year.

Maghull RBL A continue in excellent form as they recorded their third consecutive 5-1 win, the fourth of their campaign, this time at the expense of Upholland Social and have now joined Les Dodd SC in joint second place in the standings, the match also saw Maghull's Chris Jones in superb form, once again, as he compiled a classy 51 break in his frame success.

Chris has returned to Maghull RBL A after an 11 year absence, a side that he helped to gain successive Division One League Titles in seasons 1999-00 and 2000-01.

The other match played this week saw Stanley Club A gain their first win of the campaign with a 4-2 victory over Rainford ESC A to lift themselves off the foot of the league table.

Maghull RBL B sat out their free week this time around to continue in fourth spot. Other notable breaks this week were: W Jerram (Les Dodd SC) 37 & K Connop (Maghull RBL A) 30.

l St Cuthberts A continue to lead the way at the summit of the Second Division and their quest to regain their Division One status after a three year absence, this week they defeated Farmers Club 5-1 to increase their lead to two points.

Skelmersdale Wardens A remain in second position as they ended their evening with a 4-2 derby match triumph over club compatriots, Skelmersdale Wardens B.

This was their fourth victory in five matches played to date.

The match saw Skelmersdale A’s Mick Fenney in solid form as he compiled a nice break of 29 in his frame win.

The final match played this week in Division Two saw Scarisbrick NSC continue in fine form as they overcame previous league leaders, Aughton Institute B 4-2 to move into third place in proceedings, they have recorded two wins and two draws in their four matches after a heavy defeat in their first match of the campaign, the Aughton outfit drop into fourth spot. Upholland Conservative sat out their free week and as a result drop to fifth slot in the league table.

Other notable breaks this week were: C Starkie (Aughton Institute B) 28 & P Horner (Scarisbrick NSC) 22.

l Skelmersdale Wardens D continue at the apex of Division Three as they sat out their free week, as a result they had their lead cut to four points as Aughton Institute D, who lie in second position, recorded a 3-3 draw with Rainford ESC B and a battle between the top two sides looks a distinct possibility.

The match saw Aughton's Dave Ball in fine form as he compiled a nice break of 32 in his frame success, in fact, this contribution from Dave is currently the Divison's highest break to date.

Stanley Club B continue in third place after a 4-2 triumph at the expense of Aughton Institute C to close to five points off the pace.

St Cuthberts B got back to winning ways this week after last week’s reversal with a 4-2 victory over Lathom & Burscough RBL to move into fourth spot in the table.

The other match in this Division saw Olympic BC defeat struggling Skelmersdale Wardens C 4-2 to move up two places in proceedings into sixth slot.

Other notable breaks: A Blaney (St Cuthberts B) 24 & C Dunn (Olympic BC) 22.