After last week's third and final week set aside for outstanding matches to be play, of which there were none needed playing, we continue into the final two match weeks this time around and it saw Southport Conservative Club almost seal that sixth, record-breaking title in Division One of the Ormskirk & District Amateur Snooker League.




This particular week they came up against Merit League leaders, Aughton Institute A so a very competitive match was a definite which proved the case as the match ended in a 3-3 stalemate and both teams will have to go into next week's final week to seal their respective crowns. The Southport outfit will be a little disappointed with the outcome but it sees them needing just three points from their final two matches, their last one contested the week after the official season's end, to create league history. On the other hand, the Aughton A boys will be delighted with their battling draw as four points from their final match will see them through as Merit League Champions although it's very probable less than those four points will



be enough. The match also saw Southport's Andy Booth seal this week's 'Break of the Week' accolade with a tremendous break of 79 in his frame success.

Andy's break began when his opponent went in-off and left a red over a corner pocket. Andy potted that red ball with loads of drag on the cue ball to hold for the black which he engineered perfectly and left an ideal angle on the black to split the reds open. After potting the black ball, the reds split lovely and a large contribution was a distinct possibility and he certainly didn't disappoint. Andy potted a further six reds, all with either pink or black balls, with that authoritative cue action, precise positional play and superb potting to take him quickly past the half-century mark to fifty four. Andy's next red was a little tricky into a middle pocket but he potted it accurately to continue his terrific break, a further black followed as well as two further reds, again with high valued colours to reach seventy eight. With three reds remaining, Andy faced another tough pot as his next red just squeezed past the pink into a middle pocket, and again, he overcame the hurdle to finish on the pink although the last two reds both lay on a side cushion. Andy though his way forward was to pot the pink and leave himself a straightforward double to continue this brilliant effort. Very surprisingly, Andy missed the pink and prematurely brought an end to this contribution on seventy nine but what a marvellous break by Andy!

Andy moved to the Southport area and shortly after joined Southport SC where he started playing in our League at the commencement of the 2003-04 campaign, by the end of that season Andy had helped his side, the now defunct, Southport SC to the First Division Crown and the Kenney Cup Competition to complete the 'Double', he was also Runner-up in the Individual Championship of the League in his debut season. Andy has now a fine list of Ormskirk League honours with six Division One Titles for old club, Southport SC and a further four with his Les Dodd SC, two Kenney Cup Titles and also three Le Rose Cup Titles together with the 2005-06 Individual Handicap Title and a superb four Pairs Handicaps Titles in seasons
2008-09, 2009-10, 2014-15 and again last season. This season its looking very much like a record-breaking sixth successive league title with newest club, Southport Conservative Club. Andy also has won many highest break trophies.

Olympic BC B continue to produce the results, to their huge credit, despite it looking very likely they will fill the runners-up berth for a sixth successive season. This time around they went into battle with club compatriots, Olympic BC A, in the Walton 'Derby' match and it saw the B team ended their evening's work with a 5-1 triumph to see them move back into second position in the league table, some five points clear of the side directly below them and looking long odds-on for that second place finish. The match also saw Olympic B's skipper, Paul Williams in good touch with a
really nice break of 43 in his frame win.

Maghull RBL A sat out their free week this particular week and as a result dropped into third spot in the league standings but have had a terrific campaign as they have been up with the top two teams all season-long and still have an outside chance of ending as runners-up and will certainly be a force next term. They sit those five points adrift of the side directly above them.





Upholland Social recorded yet another victory this time after a 5-1 win at the expense of bottom side, Scarisbrick NSC to consolidate fourth in the table. This was their eleventh success of a highly successful campaign for the Upholland lads as they captured the first cup competition of the season just a few weeks ago in the Kenney Cup and currently are the only team who can catch the Merit League pace- setters and are almost certain to finish at least runners-up after winning that title last term.

Aughton Institute E remain in fifth slot after sharing the spoils this week with Rainford X SSC in a 3-3 draw. This outcome will see the Aughton E outfit a little
disappointed in their quest to secure fourth spot in the league proceedings. The match saw Rainford's Richie Spring Jnr come very close to sealing a second successive 'Break of the Week' prize after a brilliant break of 61 in his frame victory.

Stanley Club A continue in seventh after they ended their night's work with a comprehensive 5-1 away win over struggling Skelmersdale Wardens A. The result saw the Skelmersdale A outfit remain in the dreaded relegation places and sit just one behind the team directly above them so it will certainly be all to play for in their last match next week. The match saw Stanley A's Mick Mullane in fine nick with a nice break of 36 in his frame victory.

The other match played this week saw Maghull RBL B notch up their seventh success of the current campaign with a solid 4-2 home win over St Cuthberts. The outcome sees them unchanged in league position as they continue to sit in ninth but just one point from their final match will guarantee them finishing in a very respectable eighth place.

Maghull RBL A sat out their free week this time around as mentioned above.

Other notable break this week was – R Wilson (Aughton Institute E) 40.

The Division One merit table sees Aughton Institute A continue as leaders and find themselves with a three point lead and in a very strong position to lift their maiden Merit League title and go one better than last season after an excellent draw this particular week, they now sit on 122 points. Upholland Social moved back into second place and are the only team who can catch the pace-setters after their solid win this time, they lie on 119 points. Olympic BC A dropped in third position after a heavy defeat this week to complete their campaign and this is the place they will finish in and much credit must be given to them for such a fine season. The twenty fifth week updated table can be found below.

The only outstanding match will be played as below...

Tuesday 24th April 2018

Aughton Inst E v Southport Con Club (Originally Scheduled Date - 13th February 2018)





Division 2

Huge congratulations this week must go to Aughton Institute D as they clinched the Second Division crown with much ease it must be said. This particular week they went into battle with club compatriots and promotion-chasing, Aughton Institute B and the now newly crowned Champions ended their evening with a triumphant 4-2 victory to seal the title. This was their sixteenth success of the current campaign from twenty six matches played to date, a terrific average and hold a remarkable fourteen point advantage with just two matches of the season to contest. This great success also means they have sealed a place in the top flight for next term. Finally, they only need just three points from those last two matches to reach that magical one hundred point mark.

Aughton Institute C made the bigger move this week after recording an excellent 5-1 victory at the expense of Farmers Club and this outcome sees them move up two places in the league table and into that second promotion spot and this gives them a great chance of sealing Division One snooker for next season with just two matches remaining. They sit one point clear of the two sides directly below themselves.

Skelmersdale Wardens B went into battle this week with bottom side, Stanley C and will be disappointed with themselves as they shared the spoils in a 3-3 stalemate. This result sees them drop a place in the league standings and now lie in third spot in their quest to grab that coveted second promotion berth. They now sit that single point behind the side directly above them.

The other match played this time around saw Skelmersdale Wardens C get straight back to winning ways after last week's defeat to the runaway Champions. This time they defeated Stanley Club B 5-1 to move up into third in the league proceedings and find themselves level on points with their club compatriots, Skelmersdale Wardens B although they do have one less win than them which could prove invaluable come the end of the campaign so it really is all to play for over the last two matches this term.