Miscues pulled off a surprise 4 – 3 win over competition favourites Red Sox and in doing so Miscues now has cemented fifth spot. Congratulations to Red Sox as they finished Minor Premiers and are the recipients of the Neville Kerr Memorial Trophy for their efforts.

Helmets and Tall Timbers were locked on the same points with both vying for the all-important third position as the winner gets two bites of the cherry and it was Helmets who prevailed 4 – 3.

Defending 2016 Premiers Jiggers maintained second spot with their 4 – 3 win over Pockets and as predicted Pockets win the dreaded wooden spoon.

For this week only snooker reverts to Wednesday night due to the Melbourne Cup and at Club Lithgow the Qualifying Semi-Final Jiggers versus Helmets and at The Workies the Elimination Semi-Final Tall Timbers versus Miscues. Note to all players if you cannot be in either venue before the starting time due to work or extenuating circumstances please notify your captain so they can then notify the opposing captain. Good luck to all participants.

C & W Printing Red Sox versus Hunter Mining Methods Miscues:

Peter Warner versus Matt Tattersall: Last round these two played Warner was a 15 point winner. Tattersall had a 24 start and this was easily countered by Warner scoring breaks of 21 and 22 and was steady all game. Tattersall lost his way in the middle part of the game as Warner won 76 – 49.

Rod Denley versus Kevin Slaven:  Last time Slaven was an easy winner over Denley and since that game Denley has not been beaten. Both played very steadily with Slaven getting some very good shots away as Denley tried hard. Slaven kept his lead throughout and won by 67 – 50.

Jeff Stait versus Ritchie Bilby: Stait had to give a 21 start and through the game was potting balls left, right and centre closing in on his opponent. Bilby was not rattled as he held his own and almost pulled off a good win but once the black went down Stait was the victor 56 – 49.

Tom Gaynor versus Dennis Goodwin:  Gaynor was in with a chance this game as Goodwin finally had his first win a fortnight ago then back to losing. Something happened they must have swapped roles as Goodwin came out firing on all cylinders as he scored a 16 break from the start. That affected Gaynor as went into his shell as Goodwin put on a good show to win 77 – 35.

Shannon Baer versus Allan Piggott: This should have been a mismatch as Baer has had nine wins compared to Piggott with just three. Piggott hit the floor running albeit slowly and was solid in potting some good balls and Baer though chasing a 30 point deficit was catching that slowly as well. Piggott maintained his lead until the end to win 71 – 61.

Trevor Cameron versus Brian Nightingale: Early in the game Nightingale went to a 30 point lead and Cameron was shell shocked at first then settled down. Nightingale hit the wall badly as he was making mistakes and Cameron was taking advantage and won on the black 52 – 50.

The players of the match were Allan Piggott and Peter Warner.

Lithgow Valley Storage Helmets versus Carpet One Tall Timbers:

Ian Bulkeley versus Michael McCosker:  Both players are having a pretty ordinary comp by their standards. McCosker only got up by 5 points last game and Bulkeley was ready for revenge and it was fairly easy. Bulkeley scored a 16 break as he left McCosker in his 75 – 37 wake.

Brett Bradley versus Maurie Smith: Bradley has had the biggest turnaround this comp because at the beginning he had won seven games and has lost the last six. Smith has been going just as bad but his wins have been in the back half of the comp. This was close all the way as both tried to see who could play the slowest as the game ground away. It was Smith who had the better game to be a 56 – 43 victor.

Tom Drury versus Bill Cook: Drury was sitting on a 50 per cent win/loss record and Cook had a lot to play for because if he wins he could make the Regal Trophy list. Cook virtually forgot about what was at stake as Drury played like a demon scoring a 15 break and left Cook behind in his fury. Cook was stunned as he watched the Regal slip away as Drury easily won 67 – 23.

Dallas Thurlow versus Lawrence Creasy: Creasy has lost more than he has won and therefore is not playing at his best and Thurlow in his last two games played and won them before that there were no wins. Thurlow has hit form at the right end of the comp and Creasy had a spoke put through his wheel as he fell off way before the finish line. Thurlow was far too strong as he was in cruise mode as he surged to an easy 71 – 22 win.

Logan Spice versus Aaron Vandermeer: Since Spice joined his new team this comp he has gone backward in form with just two wins and Vandermeer has improved heaps. This was a good game between these young guns as it had good shots and some missed opportunities. It was close all the way until the end and it was Vandermeer who just won 46 – 41.

The players of the match were Tom Drury and Aaron Vandermeer.

Welch’s Highway Smash Repairs Jiggers versus Williams and Sons Butchers Pockets:

Greg Sutton versus Shane Eagle: Sutton has had a very lean season in just winning two games and they were the last two he played and Eagle had a lot to play for as a win would have him in the running for the Regal. Though Eagle started out confidently it was Sutton who was in control though a few lucky shots were involved. Sutton powered on as he easily halted Eagles progress 63 – 16.

Wayne Lewis versus Brett Holt: Lewis has only played eight games this comp and his form has been scratchy and Holt has only missed one and is in similar form.  Both started out confidently and cautiously and it was a fairly open style of game and Holt scored a good 15 point break and he was right in the frame. Lewis potted a lucky pink then he proceeded to pot the black scoring a 13 break and winning 62 – 38 leaving Holt to just shake his head.

Trent Lewis versus Brad Preston: Lewis is in the best form he has been in ages as he has won ten games with three losses and is flying high and Preston with three games to his name has won all of them. Both played well and Lewis shot ahead quickly and then Preston started his mini comeback and when it looked like he was about to pounce Lewis pulled the rug from under him to win 64 – 55.

Kyle Lewis versus Steve Hewitt: Lewis has seen better comps and it seems this one he is stuck in a whirlpool just going around and around in a circle. Hewitt on the other hand came into the comp late played three for two wins and was confident. Hewitt played the better game early in the piece and caught and overtook Lewis then sort of stopped as Lewis hit his straps scored a 12 break and was right back in the game. Hewitt regrouped then settled down and regained his form to come home a 66 – 51 winner.

Wade Barrington versus Jack Bilby: Barrington was a late inclusion and it being his birthday he was pumped to perform in front of his family. Bilby in his second comp has vastly improved sitting on seven wins and could be in the running for the Regal if he wins. Good game as both were a little bit nervous and Bilby took the lead and Barrington came good at the end as he was catching his opponent and Bilby was making mistakes. When the black was potted the scores were level so the black was respotted and a large relief for Bilby he potted that black to win 56 – 49.

Justin Nelson versus Michael Wellings: When these two last played Nelson was in a winning position only to see Wellings clear the table to become the winner. It happened again as Nelson took control was in a winning position when suddenly Wellings cleared the table for a 22 break and won 60 – 45 in a heavy case of Deja-vu.

Players of the match were Trent Lewis and Jack Bilby.

Pointscore:  Red Sox 58, Jiggers 57, Helmets 54, Tall Timbers 53, Miscues 49, Pockets 49

Regal: L.Rust, T.Lewis, R.Farnsworth, J.Nelson, S.Baer, M.Wellings, J. Bilby, M.Tattersall