Whitburn close on leaders

Whitburn closed the gap on leaders Washington Snooker, who had the week off, in the Danby Autos Sunderland Snooker League, with a narrow win against Steels.

Whitburn got off to a good start with Graeme Ablett edging Vince Flynn 68-63 but Jimmy Gales levelled by beating Mark Fox 82-46.

Craig Barron moved Whitburn back into the lead beating Ray Charlton Junior 49-40, before breaks of 26 and 27 helped John Smith win the fourth frame against Phil Spoors 66-57.

In the pairs, Ray Charlton Senior and Junior pulled one back for Steels by beating John Smith and Craig Barron 90-36.

The champions will now be decided with the last match of the season as Washington host Whitburn, with the winners taking the title.

Adam Smith got South Hylton off to the perfect start at home to Seaham Conservatives B as breaks of 69 and 21 saw him beat Robin Midson 115-37.

A 20 break helped Graham Rutland win the second frame against Tony Grimes 91-29 before Bobby Boyce won 64-49 against Colin Dobson.

Kevin Harrop won a close frame against Manna Singh on the final black 64-62 before a 39 break by Adam Smith, when paired with Rutland, helped win Hylton the pairs against Bobby Carne and Colin Dobson 89-34.

Glendale completed a whirewash against The Hetton Centre thanks to wins from Marc Smithson, Tommy Gwyn, John Danby, Paul Atkinson and Frank McParlin/John Wiseman.

Gary Stockton won the first frame 85-15 for Seaham Conservatives A at home to Murton Colliery against Steven Cook with the aid of a 31 break before Michael Monaghan won the second 59-45.

Jackson Mason won the third 62-14 for Murton against Les Pinder before Stephen Clementson beating Ian Hughes 56-49 on a re-spotted black.

Eddie Williamson and Stephen Clementson won the match for Murton by beating Stockton and Cougle 79-46.

Results: S Hylton 5 Seaham Cons B 0, Whitburn 3 Steels 2, Biddick A 3 Biddick B 2, Glendale 5 Hetton Centre 0, Pennywell Com 4 Mill View 1, Seaham Cons A 2 Murton Coll 3.