St Johns bag a crucial win to close in on title

A resounding 4-1 victory saw St Johns leapfrog their opponents into pole position in the Premier Division.

Adrian Rosa put Libs ahead with the help of a break of 44 but from then on it was one-way traffic.

Jack Harris and Steve Barton with breaks of 40 and 47 respectively, put St John’s ahead before Robbie James clinched the match with a superb run of 87. Kane Grigg took the last frame for the hosts, who are now two points clear of their rivals with one match remaining.

Stafford Institute’s Rob Wharne was in fine form with a 79 break in his side’s 4-1 win over Landywood A.

Graham Beardmore, Mark Bishop and Chris Ward added to Wharne’s success while Dave Turner bagged a consolation frame with the help of a 50 break.

At the other end of the table, Willenhall Liberal B picked up an important 3-2 home win over Pelsall Social A.

Paul Dobson and Riley Parsons, who hit a 66 break, won for the visitors but Libs hit back through Dave Blunt, Scott Corser and Gary Haynes.

Bottom side Athenaem Club have been relegated after a 3-2 loss at relegation rivals Poets Corner A.

Matty Sargent and Neil Harper picked up wins for them but it wasn’t enough as their relegation was confirmed after Poets picked up the win courtesy of wins for Pommy Kang, Ian Smith and Carl Goodall.

Aldridge Cons are celebrating after clinching the Division One title with a 3-2 success at Bentley Moor B.

Kieron Doogan and John Mitchell took the opening frames for the leaders before Russ Maine and Mitchel Swain hit back to level the match.

But Alistair Morrison held his nerve to take the decider and the title.

The race for the runners-up spot rages on with Stafford Road A still second following a 3-2 away at Darlaston Cons.

They got the match won early as they raced into a 3-0 lead through Danny Ludgate, Keith Poston Jnr and Neil Gould. Darlaston took the last two frames through Ian Miles and Brown Macey to keep themselves out of the bottom two.

Third-placed Pelsall Social B pocketed a 3-2 win at home to Bentley Moor A.

They found themselves behind after Steve Bircher rolled in a 44 break but rallied to lead thanks to wins from Stuart Jones and Alex Humphries.

Stuart Cox knocked in a 36 break to force a decider which went the way of Pelsall’s Dave Corbett.

Aldridge Cons C ran out 3-2 winners over Colebatches Club. Steve Vowles, Carl Murphy and Bryan Jeffreys put the hosts 3-0 up before Colebatches took the last two frames through Leon Tranter and George Beale.

In Division Two, the top two went head-to-head with leaders Aldridge Social picking up the league title despite a 3-2 loss at Rushall Labour.

Wins for Jason Green and Matt Warrillow were enough for Aldridge while Darren Westwood, John Shaw and Billy Stephenson won for Rushall.

Old Hall A all have all but secured third place after a 4-1 success over Fordhouses CC.

They had the win wrapped up after Alan Killian, Nick Friend and Shane Williams took the opening three frames.

Lee Nunn made it 4-0 before Anthony Darby struck to ensure Fordhouses avoided the whitewash.

At the other end of the table, Birchills will finish bottom after going down 3-2 at home to Q Bar.

Gary Hall and Ian Shaw picked up wins for the hosts side but it wasn’t enough as the visitors replied through Stewart Baker, Jason Gaunt and Terry Fryer.

n The remaining Individual Championship quarter-final ties saw victories for Jack Harris and Adrian Rosa.

Harris made an excellent break of 92 on his way to a 3-1 success against Lee Bannister, who had a run of 73 in the opening frame.

Rosa recorded a 3-0 win over Wednesfield’s Paul Harrison that included a break of 86.