Whitburn seize opportunity to close gap at the summit

Whitburn made up some ground on the Danby Autos Sunderland Snooker League leaders this week with a 4-1 victory over Steels

With league leaders Washington Snooker having a free week, Whitburn made sure they took advantage and closed the gap to three points.

Graeme Ablett got Whitburn off to a good start before John Smith won the second frame.

A 26-break helped Mark Fox win the third frame against Ray Charlton Junior, and a 39-break saw Joe Cromby win the fourth frame against Ray Charlton Senior.

In the pairs, Tom Ayre/Ray Charlton Junior won Steels a consolation point when they defeated John Smith/Tony Hazard 60-24.

Robin Midson got Seaham Conservatives B off to a good start at home to South Hylton, pinching the first frame off Adam Smith on the final black 68-60.

Bobby Boyce quickly levelled the match before Graham Rutland moved Hylton into the lead.

Kevin Harrop increased the lead before Rutland/Smith won the pairs beating Justin Ebdy/Bobby Carne 60-36 for a 4-1 win.

In the inter-club match between Biddick A and Biddick B, Trevor Walton got the B team off to an excellent start beating Steven Tate 64-34.

Peter Mills potted well to win the second frame before Paul Cobb won the third frame.

John Temple increased the lead, beating David Adamson 67-33, before Philip Straughan/Michael Simpson won the pairs against Graham Smith/Rod Turnbull 59-27 to complete the whitewash.

The match between The Hetton Centre and Glendale was expected to be close, and the singles alternated into a 2-2 situation before Glendale took the pairs for the overall 3-2 result.

Seaham Conservatives travelled to Murton Colliery and started well, thanks to Gary Stockton.

Stephen Cook levelled the match before Robert Cougle moved Seaham back into the lead.

Les Pinder won a close, high scoring fourth frame against Jackson Mason 64-56 before Eddie Williamson/Lloyd Banks won the pairs to reduce the defeat to 3-2.

The Victory started strongly away at Lumley with John Butler winning the first frame before Andrew Drinkwater levelled the match.

Brian Meuse was in outstanding form and breaks of 38 and 20 saw him dominate the third frame before Ray James levelled the match.

Ray James/Darren Dowell won The Victory the match beating Brian Meuse/Jimmy Jackson in the pairs 75-32 for the 3-2 win.

Ian McDermott withstood an excellent comeback by Norman Brown to get Pennywell Comrades off to a winning start away at Mill View.

Anthony Longstaff increased Pennywell’s lead before Andrew Doran beat John Spruce.

Steve Chandler pulled one back for Mill View before Lee Dixon/John Spruce won the pairs on the final black 50-49 to reduce the defeat to 3-2.