This Is Guernsey

SPORTING LIONS have spent all but the second week rooted to the bottom of the Image Group Premier Division, but that changed with a storming 10-2 victory. The North Legionnaires found the Lions just too hot to handle and promptly lost the first eight frames, with Sammy Ward and Colin Gilbert both picking up their first 3-0 win of the season.

James Messenger continued the good work to post a similar victory of his own, but for once Gordon Irish was on the wrong end of a 2-1 result in losing to Shaun Mahy.

With the Lions climbing to fourth, ahead of the Legionnaires, the new owners of the unwanted relegation spot are Ex-Service Reds after they lost 10-2 to Gremlin Galacticos.

Adam Shorto’s majestic 54 clearance helped the leaders rack up the first six frames before the season’s surprise package, Roscoe Cloarec clawed one back on the final black.

Brett Gallienne soon doubled the Reds’ tally, but the Galacticos’ final pairing dominated the final four frames, with Glenn Le Prevost matching Shorto’s 3-0 win.

La Villette Gremlins got the better of Ex-Service Chirpers for the third time this season to retain their second spot.

Two frames each for Jez Rowe and Ian Platt plus all three from Graham Peel enabled the Gremlins to open up an unassailable 7-1 lead.

But hopes of a sizeable victory were dashed by the Chirpers taking the last four frames, three of which came from aggregate leader Martyn Desperques who also made a fine 56 break.

The result benefited the Galacticos most, though, as they now hold a massive 20-point lead.

Ex-Service Hot Butts and North Social L-Plates continue to fight toe to toe for the Skipco First Division title.

Both recorded a 5-3 victory, but the manner of the successes couldn’t have been more different. Leaders Hot Butts swept into a 3-0 lead against Sarnian Sharks, with the talented Scott Bradford sealing his win with a 32 clearance.

Mark Jeffreys’ 27 clearance got the Sharks onto the board before the last four frames were shared.

In contrast, the L-Plates fell behind early to Sporting Alliance, but the real drama came in the final frame.

Having pulled the match around to hold a 4-3 lead, the L-Plates looked as though they were heading for a draw with Darren Hughes trailing Mark Piper by 45 points.

But a 31 break for the aggregate leader changed the complexion of the frame, and with his teammates on the edge of their seats, Hughes took the black for a 66-65 win.

A second match for the Alliance saw them fare less well. Ex-Service Mavericks rediscovered some of their early-season form to win 7-1, with Gavin Denning’s break of 25 the highlight.

It is now nine matches without a win for North Legion Young Ones after they fell to a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Gremlin B. John Carre’s good season continues in the face of adversity with a fifth win, but Barry Martel and Andrew Wilkinson won the last three frames to seal a Gremlin victory.

In the Banks & Flouquet Second Division, Ex-Service Eagles are on course for a return to the first division as champions. They beat Sarnian Breakers 5-3 in a game that featured four black ball frames.

Unbeaten Rob Gauvain dramatically prevailed in one of those for the only win on the night, which gives the Eagles a 21-point lead over their opponents, although they have played a game more.

The two other matches were drawn.

All eight players shared their frames as North Legion B were held by Gremlin Knights, while North Legion Aces failed to capitalise on a 3-0 start against Gremlin Guzzlers. Kevin Brache and Ian Eggo provided the early boost for the Aces, but the Guzzlers’ David Bostock took two frames on the black including, crucially, the last.

Although more renowned for his goalkeeping, Nathan Pattimore proved he’s also no mean cueist.

In only his third appearance in the Mariners’ Inn Third Division, Pattimore compiled a fine 35 break, just three off the division’s best. His two frames almost provided a win for Giba Two, but Jerry Foss took the last to earn a draw for Gremlin’s Mixed Bunch.

Leaders Sporting Musketeers left it late to secure yet another win. John Snell put North Legion United in front at 3-2 after Tom Shaw and Alan Harrison had traded wins, but Andy Radford and Danny Lynch took the last three between them to give the Musketeers a 5-3 victory.

Rob de Carteret made it 11 matches unbeaten as he and Nigel Davies opened a 4-0 lead for Giba Dorios over Grannie’s Gremlins.

Indeed a whitewash looked on the cards until Mick Mahy and Trevor Le Page both won their final frame.

North Social Chalkers went one better with their best ever win. They beat North Legion Rousse Raiders 7-1 with Ian Stewart and Ian Le Sauvage both getting their maiden wins.

Article posted on 29th January, 2008 - 12.00am