This Is Guernsey

IT’S widely regarded that very little separates the island’s top two snooker teams and this season’s Image Group Premier Division title will go right to the wire. After the first week’s play, both Ex-Service Chirpers and Gremlin Galacticos are level on eight points, but it’s the latter who’ll be the more pleased.

An intriguing encounter against Gremlin X started at a blistering pace.

On any other night, Adrian Trustum’s 52 break would have been good enough to win the frame, but the Galactico’s Adrian Lihou responded with a 40 to nick it and send them on their way to a crucial 8-4 win.

Jez Rowe and Ian Platt, formerly of the opposition, enjoyed contrasting nights in picking up three of the X team’s four frames.

Rowe’s sole success was soon forgotten as opponent Glenn Le Prevost registered the season’s best break so far with a 66, while Platt was denied a 3-0 win over Adam Shorto by the island champion’s closing 54 break.

Paul Le Sauvage enjoyed an impressive return to regular league action, before succumbing to Stan Lester in the final frame.

At the Ex-Service, the Chirpers were well-placed for a heavy victory over the Reds despite Adrian Holley losing his opening frame to Jim Wilson.

With Holley recovering to take the next two and Martyn Desperques’ opening 3-0 win, the Chirpers lead was soon 6-1 thanks to Graham Peel.

But a spirited revival saw the Reds take the next three frames.

Brett Gallienne turned his match around on a black ball second frame and Andy Travis won his opener to reduce the deficit to 4-6 before John Skillett won the final two frames of the night.

Despite their favourites tags, neither the Chirpers nor the Galacticos hold top spot, though.

That honour belongs to North Legionnaires who inflicted a 9-3 defeat on promoted Sarnian Sharks.

After winning four black-ball games in their team handicap match, the Legionnaires proved that lightning can strike twice by repeating the feat. Three of those came from opening pairings Rick de Garis and Tom Brock in building a 6-0 lead, soon added to by Shaun Mahy.

The Sharks found some comfort when Shaun Goddard and Micky Collenette took three of the final five frames with the latter in particularly good form, only losing the second frame on the black after a re-rack.

Sarnian Hotpurs proved that they’re not in the Premier Division just to make up the numbers by pulling off a fine 7-5 win against Sporting Lions.

Richard Brache and Paul Sarre both recovered from losing their opening frames to win their matches and Ryan Le Page was also a 2-1 winner.

The Lions’ sole success came from Sammy Ward who turned in a good performance in making a 43 break to beat Sean Simms 2-1.

In the Skipco First Division, Ex-Service Eagles have set the early pace with an impressive 6-2 win over Gremlin B.

Rob Gauvain and Jason Gilroy won the first three frames and the promoted team soon ensured the draw as Vic Vedier took the first off Andrew Wilkinson.

With Gremlin B losing out in both team knockouts, their faltering start was confirmed as Vedier won a low scoring second frame, while Tony Gauvain grabbed a draw against Kevin Le Moigne.

The only other match played saw Ex-Service Potshots recover from 4-1 down against North Legion Young Ones to salvage a draw.

Ashley Northgrave was the Potshots’ star in winning two frames while also making a 32 break. Peter Crispini was a 2-0 winner for the Young Ones.

Two seasons after being in the Premier Division, North Legion B head the Banks & Flouquet Second Division.

A 5-3 win over their fellow Aces was cemented by Gary Hale twice beating Andy Majury 52-26 for the only win on the night, while Paul Cohu’s 28 break set the early marker for the division’s best.

The other two matches were drawn although Ex-Service Hot Butts and Sarnian Breakers will both rue missing out on good leads.

Scott Bradford helped put the Hot Butts 3-0 up but were undone at the end by North Social L-Plates’ Milford de Carteret, while the Breakers let a 4-1 advantage slip against Gremlin’s Mixed Bunch as John Mills won the final two frames of the night.

GIBA Dorios, last season’s bottom team, stormed to a 7-1 win against Sarnian Wannabes in the Third Division. There were wins also for North Social G and Gremlin Knights.

The billiards league has a new look about it with the influx of new blood - Kevin and Milford de Carteret both earned success in their debut matches with the former gaining handicap and straight wins over Mark Jeffreys, while Milford beat Barry Pallot in the handicap.

Article posted on 26th September, 2006 - 12.00am