Keith Corner of New Marske IC. - 90 played Mick McDermott from the Redcar Cons. Club -15 at the Carlin How WMC on March 21. With the handicaps involved both players had to reach a score of 340.

Corner was first into gear compiling breaks of 20, 20 and 17 eating into McDermott's start. McDermott replied with breaks of 14 and 22 but Corner plugged away to lead by 163-161. Corner then compiled breaks of 23, 36 and 15 to lead McDermott by 272-230. McDermott ended up 60 points in arrears until he knocked in breaks of 19, 16 and 18 to eventual find himself only one point behind at 285-286.

A dog battle followed and Corner found himself leading towards the latter part of the game by 335-328. McDermott scored four points and wanting only eight points to win, he went to drop the red into the middle pocket only to see it rattle at the last. Corner then scored his required five points to win by 340-332.

He now plays either John Hartley or Ian Walton in this year's final.

South West

Durham League

Arnold Fleming of Crook Belle Vue turned the Section B top spot upside down when he beat the leader, Tom Ward of Hunwick in a nail-biting finish to change over their places. Fleming got away to a great start as he moved 50 points ahead in a good run, which included a 22 break. However Fleming then hit a dry spell and Ward began his comeback with a 26 break. Both players got within easy reach of game with Fleming having the first chance but fell two points short. Ward tried to complete the match but he also fell two points short and lost when Fleming completed a match winning cannon.

Jimmy Evans of Shotton Palms clinched the top spot in Section A when he beat the second placed Charlie Donaghy of Tow Law comfortably. Evans had good runs of 37 and 29, whilst Donaghy replied with a run of 26. However Evans ran out as the 55 points winner.

Heppell Hodgson of Tow Law also faced Evans with little more success than his teammate. Evans again was right in form with runs of 35 and 23 to go through to a victory by 52 points