Michael Rudd of Hartlepool was determined his home match with David Craggs of Tow Law would produce fruitful points after a disappointing start in the league.
Rudd fired some early warning shots that he would give everything to win the match, but Craggs quickly got down to business and quickly took a three frame lead.
Rudd held his nerve to take the fourth and, following the interval, a break of 54 by Craggs was not enough to take the frame, when Rudd came back with a successful and necessary snooker on the blue. Ever-growing in confidence, Rudd notched up the highest break of the night in the sixth, with a run of 70 to take the match to a decider. The tactical battle, which ensued in the final frame, came to an end when Craggs, with his usual flair and panache, clinched victory with a 56 break.
Stanley Central Club was the venue for the visit of Wallsend's Gary Wilson to play Andy Craig. Craig was looking for points to get from the foot of the table, whilst Wilson was looking for the points to try for a top four place. Wilson played an uncomplicated game, resulting in decent and frame winning breaks in all but one frame. After winning the first with a break of 40, Wilson made a break of 37 in the second and also again the third along with a 22 to quickly get the upper hand and take a 3-0 advantage. Craig managed reduce the deficit before the interval.
Wilson made breaks of 61 and 39 in the fifth followed by a 38 and 36 in the sixth and concluded with breaks of 66 and 22 in the final frame to win the match 6-1. Craig's return to high-class competition has not met his expectations but he expects to be firing on all cylinders when the return fixtures commence.
David Lilley of Hebburn was hoping that some good competitive snooker would assist him in his match preparations for this coming weekend when he is due to play in both the Final of the EASB English Amateur Snooker Championship at Leeds on Sunday and the semi-final of the CIU National Snooker Finals in Chilton and Windlestone Club on Saturday. Both matches are to be played against Bradford's Wayne Cooper. Lilley is looking to complete a hat-trick of victories in the National CIU Championship.
Lilley's match in the Premier League was against Guisborough's Anthony Parsons, who made a fine start in the first with a break of 47 and added the second with a late burst. Lilley found his form and levelled at two all going into the interval with breaks of 49 in both. Parsons compiled a 41 break to go ahead, but Lilley proved unstoppable in the final two frames, with a break of 69 in the sixth and 74 in the final frame to win the match 4-3.
The match between Paul Davison and Mike Dunn was postponed. Chris West had to call off his match against John McCallum at Ashington as he was making his final appearance of the current season at the World Snooker Challenge Tour in Prestatyn.
Fixtures: Monday, 17 May: Mike Dunn v John McCallum at Hartlepool Snooker Centre; Gary Wilson v Paul Davison at High Howdon Social Club; Michael Rhodes v David Lilley at Durham Snooker Centre.
Wednesday: Chris West v Michael Rudd at Whitley Lodge Snooker Centre. Anthony Parsons v Andy Craig is postponed.
Anyone wishing to watch any matches in the Premier League should check with the venue that the match is going ahead as scheduled. Additional information can be obtained by calling 07830 101228 or 07830 101186.
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