Pool News

Michael Rhodes of Durham lived up to his Number One ranking throughout the year when he won the best of 17 frames final against Paul Brockway of Durham in a match at Durham Snooker Club, which produced some spectacular pool.

The match began in startling fashion as Rhodes cleared up from the break in the first, only to see Brockway do likewise in the second. Another clearance from the break put Rhodes ahead, but Brockway levelled in the fourth.

The decisive move came when Rhodes then took six frames in a row, two with clearances from the break. Brockway showed his fighting qualities by pulling one back but Rhodes clinched victory in the next frame to take the £200 prize money and the Trophy. Brockway also took a trophy to go with his £100, whilst the runners-up, Dave Harrop and Chris Bowran both received trophies and £50 each. Bass Brewers sponsored the trophies.

The 2002 Ranking Tournament will follow a similar format to this first successful event. It will again be held in Durham Snooker Club with the first qualifier being held on Sunday, January 20 when players have to register by noon.

l The event, which runs throughout the year, is looking out for sponsors and anyone who feels they can help should telephone 0191 3869339.

Durham and

District League

Ia ding-dong battle, Framwellgate Moor Marquis of Granby edged through to an odd point victory over their hosts at Coxhoe Workingmen's Club, who constantly played catch-up all night. The visitors set off in great style with wins from Ivor Lloyd, Paul Shutt and Helen Littlewood but suffered a set-back when the home side took the next three through Paul Mullen, Andrew Gilmore and Simon Jackson.

From that point the frames were shared with Simon Grant pushing the Marquis ahead only to see Stevie Neill level. Graham Comerford restored the visitor's lead with Simon Jackson again equalising. The Marquis broke the sequence when Paul Shutt and Dave Hodgson won frames to guarantee victory but Paul Mullen beat Dave Hodgson in the captain's game to keep the gap down to a single point.

Results: Durham Snooker Club 9 Bowburn oak Tree A 4; Bowburn oak tree B 9 Durham Woodman 4; Ushaw Moor Catholic Club 10 Ushaw Moor Flass Inn 3; Bowburn Cooperage 6 Meadowfield Club 7; Chester-le-Street Garden Farm 8 Gilesgate Three Horse Shoes 5; Coxhoe WM Club 6 Framwellgate Moor Marquis of Granby 7. Sacriston Daisy Hill v Esh McKennas and Gilesgate DLI v Broom Park Loves no result.

Willington League

Hunwick Quarry Burn moved to the top of the table when they only dropped two points to the visiting Sunnybrow Brown Trout. The home side had singles wins from Dave Robson, Keith Dufton, Bob Johnson and Larry Briggs whilst Tom Liddle and Chris brown replied for the Trout. The win was secured when the home side took all three doubles to move one point clear of Hunwick Club at the top of the table.

Howden Australian are just a point behind Hunwick Club with a match in hand after they struggled through to win in the decider at Willington Brewer's Droop A. The singles were shared with Alan Lee, Andrew Hutchinson and Michael Pickles winning for the home side, whilst Steven Burke, John Allott and Ray Newton replied for the Aussie. After the first two doubles were shared the Aussie edged to victory when Ray Newton and Steven Burke beat Michael Taylor and Andrew Hutchinson.

Results: Hunwick Club 2 Prospect Club 7; Willington Market 6 Willington Brewer's Droop B 3; Hunwick Quarry Burn 7 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2; Willington Brewer's Droop A 4 Howden Australian 5. Willington Commercial v Willington Black Horse Tavern postponed.

Riverside Car Sales Singles League

Lee Ward, who is in the singles league for the first time, has had his best result to date in defeating the defending champion and winner of the singles league for the past three years, Steve Woodier. Woodier went 1-0 up and then hit a careless shot to leave his last yellow over the middle pocket. This gave Lee a boost who then took control of the frame to level the match and then Lee went on to win the next two frames to lead 3-1 with Woodier now under pressure knowing he could only draw. Ward missed a chance and Steve stepped in to win the frame for 3-2. In the last frame Lee had the first chance then missed this to give Woodier a chance who missed an easy clearance and went in off his last red. This gave Ward two shots and Lee kept his cool as he had through the match to clear the table and go on to win the match 4-2. This result puts Woodier's title in jeopardy as Stuart Richardson with games in hand now looks favourite to win the title if he can win his last six remaining matches. Before this match Woodier had defeated Dave Robinson 5-1 and also defeated Mark Kylman 5-1. Stuart Richardson won the first of his remaining matches which was a faultless 6-0 whitewash over Eddy Mooney.

Tony Kay, who is still in with a chance of lifting the title having to play Richardson, had a very good 5-1 win over Ronnie Dobbs, but then lost two vital points in his match with Eddy Mooney. Tony led the match 2-0 then 3-1 but Mooney fought back well to win frame five for 3-2 then a tough last frame. Mooney was in top form to go on and win the last for a notable 3-3 draw.

Kevin Pigott kept his hopes up of also lifting the title coming through a tough match with Michael Gray. Pigott won the first frame but Gray hit back to win the next two frames to lead 2-1 but Kevin moved up a fear and went on to win the remaining three frames to run out a 4-2 winner.

Michael Gray hit back with two very good wins, first defeating Ronnie Dobbs 4-2 after trailing 1-0. Then Gray went on to defeat Paul Burke 4-2 after leading the match 3-0. Burke won the next two frames, but Gray held on to win the last frame. Paul Burke himself moved up in the top six after winning his next two matches both 5-1, first Paul defeat Mark Klyman then Gary Nicholson. Geoff Peat defeated John Atkinson 5-1. Andrew Koulias still continues to collect points coming out with two 3-3 draws against Andy Wilson and Chris Dobbs. Andy Wilson defeat John Atky 5-1. Ronnie Dobbs defeated Mark Klyman 5-1.

The league is in its closing stages and will go right to the last match to decide the winner which could come from one of the four top players.

Placings: Woodier 15-39; Kay 15-37; Richo 13-34; Pigott 13-32; Bean 15-30.

Tables nine ball knock-out

Paul Higgins is this week's champion after defeating Martin Shutt then had an excellent result defeating trebel winner Mike Dunn 6-1 in the semis. Paul defeated John Chapman 6-2. His opponent in the final was Mick McDermott who defeated Michael Norman 6-2 but lost out 6-4 to Higgins in the final.

Bishop Auckland League

P W L Pts

Crook Olde Horse Shoe 30 25 5 274

Bishop Auckland Derby 30 23 7 249

Spennymoor Ashtree 30 22 8 246

Bp. A. King's Head 30 22 8 232

Spennymoor Hillingdon 30 17 13 204

Henknowle Manor 30 16 14 196

Bishop Auckland FC 30 12 18 185

Spennymoor Weardale 30 10 20 166

St Helens Wheatsheaf 30 7 23 133

Bp. A. Cumberland Arms 30 6 24 133

WittonPark Rose & Crown 30 5 25 127

Tow Law League

P W L Pts

Tow Law Station 22 17 5 130

Tow Law New Market B 22 16 6 120

Lanchester King's Head 22 14 8 116

Tow Law Black Horse A 22 16 6 112

Tow Law Football Club 22 14 8 111

Esh Football Club 22 12 10 105

Tow Law Rose & Crown 22 11 11 102

Sunniside Comedian 22 12 10 96

Tow Law Cattle Mart 22 9 13 94

Ham. Row Black Horse 22 9 13 86

Tow Law New Market A 22 0 22 61

Tow Law Black Horse B 22 2 20 55