Champions show quality with comeback win
REIGNING champions Emsworth had to come from behind to beat Copnor A 6-3 in the Portsmouth & District Snooker League, writes Graham Simper.
Mark Tillison, Mick Hall and Dan Compton put Emswoth in trouble but the City side failed to win another frame.
Copnor D are still coming to terms with promotion.
They suffered an 8-1 hammering at Craneswater A as the Southsea outfit made use of the five-player rule again.
Mick Kirby won three racks to join Pete Ferguson, Colin Rowe, Rob Kirby and Andy Boulton on the winners podium.
Darren Atkins bagged a brace for Bellair but they were pipped 5-4 at Portchester X.
Matt James did well for the Castlemen with skipper Jason Tame and Neil Turp helping to nick it .
Waterlooville A head division two with Post Office hot on their heels.
The latter posted a 7-2 win at Waterlooville D where Barry Turner showed his class with a break of 73.
Craneswater Q won 6-3 over Ian Carter's Z side at Highland Road.
Matt Small set the pace and Tony Lee followed his lead with a handy pair.
In division three, Alexandra Bowls duo Karl Davies and Alan Freemantle dug their heels in against leaders Craneswater R.
But Martin Richardson and Liam Melia pulled the visitors over the line 5-4 for their fourth straight win.
Second-placed Copnor B also struggled against North End Bowls.
Phil Ledington held his nerve, though, to keep the bowlers at bay.
Karl Smith was the only singles winner for Bellair as Pompey Royals took a 5-1 interval lead at Havant.
His efforts proved to be inspirational as his teammates won all the doubles to cut the defeat to 5-4.
Craneswater Dandy and 'Ville C have won every match in Division 4 but the Aston Road tribe head the chart after spanking Cowplain Misfits 8-1.
Meanwhile Ioan Moon helped the Dandy's see off struggling Cowplain B by 6-3.