At the half way stage of the season, the Redcar WMC lead Division One with 66 points followed in second place by Redcar Lakes A with 55.

The result of the week, however, was a 4-2 home win for Guisborough Cons. who were playing hosts to third-placed Saltburn Cons. A. Colin Buckton lost his first game against Saltburn's Paul Baggott 73-49 but rallied in the second game to beat Baggot 59-10. Arthur Smith also shared the spoils with Mark Cardaropoli with scores of 49-30 and 49-62. With the match now level at two frames each, Mike King made it 3-2 in favour of Guisborough when beating Steve Binns 58-40. Their last frame was a very tight scrap with King eventually winning on the final black 61-56. New Marske A chalked up an excellent 5-1 home win against Marske WMC A. Carlin How A also recorded a 5-1 home win against the Redcar Cons. B team.

Leaders, Redcar Workies A, stretched their unbeaten run to 15 from 15 when beating Grinkle Park 4-2. During this match Richard Beckham continued his rich vein of form when compiling breaks of 31, 37, 38 and 48 and stretched his unbeaten run to 28 frames from 28. Guisborough TA were playing away against Lune Street B where they tied picking up another three valuable points. The local derby between Redcar Lakes C and B teams fizzled out to a 3-3 tie as did the final match between Redcar Cons. and Redcar Unionist A.

In Division Two, result of the week was recorded by the Redcar Unionist B who held second placed, Ennis Square A 3-3 tie. Kevin Moon got Ennis off to a flying start winning both of his games against Barker with scores of 48-16 and 56-33. Phil Vaughan managed to stop the rot winning his first game against Steve Buckton, but only just on the final black, 50-48. Buckton then made it 3-1 for Ennis when beating Vaughan in the next game 43-27. Anthony McGee then pulled through for the Unionists when winning the last two frames against Ricky Warrior with scores of 62-36 and 58-47. The Redcar WMC B team continued with their good run of form when on their travels they beat opponents, Redcar Lit., 4-2. Leaders, Guisborough Quoit, stretched their unbeaten run to 13 from 13 after beating the Lodge by the same score line. Marske WMC B also recorded a 4-2 home win against opponents Redcar Lakes D. The remaining matches, Ennis Square B v Carlin How B, Saltburn Cons B v Guisborough Cons. B and Vals Priory v Lune Street A all ended 3-3.

Bass Shield Senior Knockout Final

The final of the Bass Shield was held at the Grinkle Park Hotel on Monday, January 20 between Arthur Smith (+10) of Guisborough Cons. and Ian Walton (+5) of Marske WMC. The match referee for this contest was Brian Magor. In the first game Smith forged ahead with the aid of a 16 break to lead 25-16, that was until Walton replied with a 14 break. Walton led going into the colours by 44-34 until Smith potted the yellow, green, brown and blue balls to lead 48-44. Walton then missed a crucial pink whereas Smith, when given the opportunity, did not. Smith therefore won the first game with a score of 54-44. The second game was a scrappy affair with both players struggling to find any real form and when the frame was finally down to the colours the pink ball came back to haunt Walton when he again missed a crucial pot for game. Smith once again did pot the pink and won this frame by 51-41.

The third game ended up as a long drawn out battle with Walton coming out on top to win by 42-25. Walton now in his stride took charge of the fourth game and was leading 25-7 until Smith compiled an excellent 22 break. With only the colours remaining Smith now well in control potted the brown which now meant that Walton needed snookers.

Smith then went on to pot the blue shortly after which Ian Walton conceded the frame and match. Smith is therefore crowned this years winner of the Bass Shield beating Walton 3-1.