Top flight title is on a knife-edge
Craneswater and Emsworth chasing table-topping ‘Ville
The race for silverware in Division 1 of the Portsmouth League is on the proverbial knife-edge.
Three teams are in contention with Waterlooville A four points ahead of serial winners Craneswater A and Emsworth A, who have strengthened over the last few years.
The Aston Road gang thumped Portchester X 10-2 in their latest game,
They were on course for a maximum success at one point as Jamie Wilson (50) and Phil Watson opened the scoring before Richie Burnett and Dusty Tingley extended the lead to 8-0.
Jason Tame and Matt James stopped their gallop by winning a frame each.
Craneswater matched that scoreline against Copnor D.
Skipper Andy Boulton gave them an early advantage with breaks of 53,43 and 38 but Wayne Rendle (42) beat Pedro Ferguson (41) to level at 2-2.
Then the Southsea side took complete control as Mick Kirby won four then
Pete Ferguson and Stu Calver won their frames.
Emsworth A spanked neighbours Bellair 9-3 after winning the first eight racks with Bobby Terry, Greg Harding (32) and Nick Fegan hardly missing a ball.
Greg Jones stemmed the tide with a late double and Rob Henley won a rack against Wayne Brenchley for an even bigger reprieve.
Ian Carter won three as Craneswater Z held on for a draw at Copnor A&E.
Mark Jones also chalked up a double, adding to a break of 38 by Ade Binding.
Mark Tillison and Lee Eden served the home cause with two each.
Post Office led throughout at Bellair X and pocketed an 8-4 win to stay ahead in Division 2. Jamie Farrow, Matt Paffet and Dan Wells were in control from the off, though Paul Ashmore did his best for the hosts. Secondplaced Craneswater R matched that scoreline against Pompey Royals. break for Waterlooville’s Jamie Wilson in the Portsmouth Snooker League
Mark Donnely, Liam Melia and Pete Parsons all bagged a brace before Paul Chivers responded in the late racks.
Waterlooville D made ground with an emphatic 9-3 victory at North End.
The Bowlers got off to a decent start with Ade Pledge hitting a 49.
The Aston Road outfit then stepped on the gas as Harry Wilson, Craig Skeggs, Steve Wilson and Bill Phillips won the remaining eight games.