Draw January 23 Club Lithgow Miscues versus Helmets and at The Workies Pockets versus Tall Timbers and Red Sox versus Jiggers.

The 2018 LASA season has kicked off with the start of the Terry Longdon Memorial Trophy and a few mixed and surprise results entailed.

The battle of ‘Club Lithgow’ took place when Jiggers played Miscues and it was Miscues who drew first blood when they won 4–3 giving them the early bragging rights. Helmets made mincemeat of the defending Premiers Pockets when they easily disposed of them 6–1.

A close battle ensured when Tall Timbers beat Red Sox 4–3 and the unusual scenario was that Red Sox won the aggregate point by a mere three points.

Trent Lewis versus Allan Piggott: Lewis had a 14 start and depending which Lewis turned up it might not be enough as early on Piggott scored a 13 break. Both showed signs of not having played for a while and it was Lewis who was the victor as Piggott crashed 62 – 42.

Kyle Lewis versus Dennis Goodwin: This was a fairly slow game as a lot of missed opportunities and fouls were had by both. Lewis hit a bit of a wall through the middle part of the game and Goodwin took advantage and almost had the game won when Lewis did enough to break Goodwin’s heart 60 – 51. 

Greg Sutton versus Kevin Slaven: This was an even slower game as both had nothing to show as shots went nowhere near their designated pocket. Slaven pulled out to a 20 point lead with some good shots then Sutton made a comeback on the colours and took the lead on the pink ball. Sutton had a go at the black only to see the white go into the pocket giving Slaven a close win 37 – 35.

Justin Nelson versus Garry Bender: Nelson had to chase 46 points before he could start to make inroads to Bender who is a crafty old player. Bender was nailing some good shots with Nelson not taking advantage of some easy shots. Bender was soon 50 points in front and even though Nelson scored a 20 break it was Bender who easily prevailed 95 – 53.

Wade Barrington versus Ritchie Bilby: This was a good open game with both going for their shots with most of them going in. Barrington played with a lot more safety than Bilby and it was those shots that pulled him through to win 63 – 49.

Troy Clarke v Brian Nightingale: Clarke had a 21 start and was soon playing well and was moved further in front. Nightingale never panicked he got serious and knuckled down to the job made a good comeback to win 67 – 45. 

The players of the match were Garry Bender and Trent Lewis.

Steve Hewitt versus Dallas Thurlow: Hewitt had a five start and he did not do much as he came up against a hot Thurlow who is normally a slow starter. Thurlow was knocking them in left, right and centre and all Hewitt could do was watch and somehow during the match Hewitt did score 15 points. Thurlow was just too consistent as he surged to a 63 – 20 win.

Michael Wellings versus Ian Bulkeley:  This was a good game with a close result and it was interesting to see if the 2017 Player of the Year Wellings maintained his rage. Close right until the end and even though Wellings scored a 20 break it was Bulkeley who scraped in 63 – 57 and was seen chewing Wellings ear off later on.

Trystan Ford versus Ian Miles: Ford has had a lean couple of comps and was going to try and get himself better prepared. Miles has been around snooker a very long time and knows how to time his run. Ford maintained an early lead and Miles just took his time and with sloth like movements he timed his run to win 68 – 55.

Jeff Holt versus Tom Drury: Holt has not played for a couple of comps and now he is feeling a lot better he just has to get back on track with his game. Drury was very unlucky last year in losing a few games and he was back to his best. Holt was surprisingly good considering the time out he had and he really put it up to Drury but it was Drury who just won 59 – 57.

Brad Preston versus Dianne Stait: With his team all falling around him Preston was going to try and get at least one win. Stait was primed to play a captains knock and it was going to plan early in the game until Preston decided to push the go button. Preston potted some good shots and went on to win 57 – 34 and was his team’s only winner.

Shane Eagle versus Robert Farnsworth Jnr: Eagle was really confident as Farnsworth has not played Tuesday night snooker for over ten years though he has been practicing. They traded blows with the lead changing throughout and it was Farnsworth who finally blew the rust out to win 58 – 50.

The players of the match were Ian Bulkeley and Brad Preston.

Aaron Vandermeer versus Leo Keeley: Vandermeer has been slowly improving over the years and he was playing a veteran in Keeley who is in his nonagenarian years. A slow but entertaining game as they both tried hard and never giving the other any chance to make any breaks. It was Vandermeer who outlasted Keeley 45 – 39.

Maurie Smith versus Shannon Baer:  Smith lost a few close games last year and Baer had a really good year since he changed teams. Smith played very well and really pushed Baer to the end but it was the train driver Baer who pulled into Central first for a close 66 – 59 win.

Michael Andrews versus Garry Nolan: Andrews had one comp off and then joined his new team in 2018 and was going to try to make a good impression as Nolan was going to try just as hard to stop him. Nolan went through his usual slack period through the game letting Andrews back into it. Both played some very good shots and when the black finally went down it was Andrews who just won 55 – 51.

Bill Cook versus Peter Warner: Cook had a 40 start of which he would need every bit of it as Warner is like a streetfighter just never gives in. Cook played some very good shots and Warner pulled out all the good shots and some very good safety. It was Cook who just held to win 60 – 58 over a fast finishing Warner.

Keith Morris versus Jeff Stait: Morris had a lean 2017 and Stait had a good year so it was interesting to see of Morris has done enough practice. Right from the start it was Morris as he was potting well though Stait was slowly pulling back the deficit. Morris held out Stait 58 – 41.

Michael McCosker versus Tom Gaynor: McCosker was the unfortunate one that had to face his opponent at this time as Gaynor wins more last games than he loses. Good game in the end and it went to script as Gaynor maintained his lead to win 69 – 44.

The players of the match were Keith Morris and Tom Gaynor.

Pointscore: Helmets 6, Tall Timbers & Miscues 4, Jiggers & Red Sox 3, Pockets 1