With one week left all that is confirmed is that the first four teams have retained their place in the semi-finals though their exact positions on the table will be known tonight after the last week of competition.

The top of the table clash saw first placed Helmets play second placed Jiggers and it was as expected a tight affair which saw Jiggers having to come from behind to win the last game but also take the aggregate point to win 4–3. Pockets pulled off the biggest surprise when they easily defeated heavyweights Red Sox 6–1.

Miscues had a close call against Tall Timbers when they won 4–3. There are a few scenarios Helmets and Jiggers will finish one and two and with Jiggers only one point behind Helmets if they put in a strong effort against Pockets they may take the Minor Premiership.

Pockets twice this comp have been convincingly beaten by Jiggers and Helmets play Tall Timbers, Helmets have beaten Timbers twice as well. Helmets have one hand on the Minor Premiership trophy.

Pockets are only three points behind Red Sox and are only a very slim chance of getting the last semi-final spot but strange things can happen in sport. An exciting finish coming up.

Lithgow Valley Storage Helmets versus Welch’s Highway Smash Repairs Jiggers:

Robert Farnsworth versus Trent Lewis: Farnsworth is the form player of the comp with 11 wins and two losses though the last game he played was soundly beaten by 41 points. Lewis is also playing very well winning eight for three losses and concerning as he has lost his last two. To add to the intrigue, they played each other last round and it was Lewis who won that inflicting Farnsworth his first loss. Lewis had a 24 start and that was soon eliminated with Lewis fouling and Farnsworth knocking in a good black and suddenly Farnsworth was a few points behind. Lewis settled down and was soon into a groove as he scored a 14 break and Farnsworth went into a mid-game hiatus. Lewis moved ahead and Farnsworth came back at him and needed the last 3 balls to win. Lewis walked up hit the blue that hard it went all round the table to fall into the pocket then Lewis potted the other two for an 18 break to beat a stunned opponent 79–51.

Ian Bulkeley versus Wayne Lewis: Bulkeley has been the epitome of consistency with nine wins and three losses and Lewis is the epitome of consistency only the opposite direction two wins and five losses. Bulkeley was on the board early potting well and playing safe and Lewis eventually rose to the occasion playing really well late in the game. Bulkeley did the damage early in the game to get a good lead. Lewis played well late in the game but it was already over as Bulkeley remained in front to win 77–50.

RW Farnsworth versus Justin Nelson: There was a lot riding on this game not just for their teams but their placings in the top eight for the Regal Trophy. Farnsworth was seven wins for three losses and Nelson eight wins and four losses. Nelson is hanging onto his spot and if Farnsworth beats him he replaces him in the eight. They played last round and then Nelson won by 35 points and he was hoping that was playing on Farnsworth’s mind. It started out a good game with both potting well and in the grind Nelson scored three breaks of 18, 15 and 14 putting the pressure back on his opponent. As good as Farnsworth tried he made some uncharacteristic errors which helped Nelson come home 72 – 53.

Dillan McBey versus David Adams: Both these players are vying to stay in the Regal top and both are very close in the win/loss stats with McBey eight wins four losses and Adams nine wins three losses. McBey was on the board early and playing well and Adams was like a rabbit caught in headlights totally mesmerised. Adams did finally settle to play though a tad late as McBey was at his best and easily won 67–43.

Dianne Stait versus Greg Sutton: Stait has only played two games thus far for two losses and basically had to play this week or next as you need to play three games to qualify for the semi-finals. Sutton is having a shocker of a comp though he has won his last two it has not been pretty just his opponents played worse than he did. With 17 start Sutton was potting some very good reds but missing the easier shots on the colours. Stait played some very good shots to pull ahead and Sutton helped her by playing some silly shots and fouling. Sutton needed two snookers and the last three balls to win when Stait fouled on the pink then Sutton needed them all to tie the game. Sutton potted the blue and pink and Stait pulled out all stops to pot a good black to win 62–48.

Logan Spice versus Wade Barrington: With his team 3–2 up and 18 points in front in aggregate Spice just had to win or lose by 17 for his team to win. Barrington had to win by 19 for his team to win and his form he won eight games early and has hit a wall losing his last three. Barrington was really focused as he potted well and played good safety and Spice tried hard but was never in the hunt. Barrington went on a scoring spree as he won 70 – 33 giving his team the win. The players of the match were Justin Nelson and Dillan McBey.

Williams and Sons Butchery Pockets versus C & W Printing Red Sox:

Robert Bender versus Shannon Baer: Bender may have turned the corner as he lost five straight games then finally a win last week plus he had a 42 start this game. Baer has won his last four games each on the black ball and the most start he had to give was 36 so again he had to be at his best. Bender kept the scoreboard ticking over with small scores and Baer was made to play very safely and to be sure with his shots. Baer did very well he got to within having to pot the last three balls to tie the game of which he potted the blue. Unfortunately he fouled on the pink and Bender thankfully potted it to put it out of contention to win 82–64.

Brad Preston versus Jeff Stait: Preston is not having the best of comps having only won two games and he has played Stait twice previously this comp with Stait winning both by 39 and 18. Preston previous games against Stait he had starts of 30, 34 and this game he had 36 start so Stait already knew what he had to do. This was a slow game by both players at first missing shots they would normally have potted. Preston continued his bad form and Stait did settle down and was 20 points in front with 4 balls left. This was basically how the game finished as once the table was cleared Stait for the third time beat Preston 78–49.

Shane Eagle versus John Lyons: Eagle is an enigma as when he plays well he plays very well and he plays bad it’s sometimes painful to watch. Eagle seems to lift himself against the very low handicapped players. Eagle is a on a plus single figure handicap so when he played Baer who was on -21 he won by 16, he played Nelson twice who was on -32 he won by 24 and 45 and last round he played Lyons who was -20 and he won by 45. Lyons has not been his usual consistent self this comp winning just the three games so we knew the good Eagle was ready to play as Lyons was on a -21. This was exactly how it turned out Eagle was potting from the start especially the long shots and he was rushing around and he even scored a 16 break. Lyons had no answer all he could do was watch and shake his head as Eagle won by 65 points 96 – 38.

Lawrence Creasy versus Garry Nolan: Creasy has not been seen for four weeks due to new employment so he might have a bit of table rust due to not playing in that time. Both players have the same stats won five and lost four though Nolan has played three games in the time Creasy did not play. Creasy had a 30 start and was off and running early increasing his lead and Nolan though he played some very good shots was all at sea mostly. Once Nolan got his land legs back it was too late as Creasy was too good 65–39.

Kyal Furbank versus Rod Denley: Furbank has won two and lost five and Denley not much better two wins and seven losses and when they met last round Furbank flogged him by 60 points. Denley likes playing Jiggers instead as this was the only time he had won games and with his last game against Furbank in mind Denley was ready for retribution. This was as slow as you can get as both play at a snail’s pace and Denley is known to be called sloth at times. As slow as it was it was also entertaining as some really good shots were played but not quickly. Furbank repeated his last effort only with a reduced margin as he beat Denley 85–58.

Steve Hewitt versus Tom Gaynor: Last round they played each other Hewitt won by 15 and it was on the cards again early as Hewitt raced out to a very big lead which included a 16 break and Gaynor never really came out of the blocks. Hewitt fell into a hole and that’s when Gaynor came good as he pulled back the deficit and with five colours left on the table Gaynor was eight points behind. Hewitt decided enough was enough so he potted the green, brown and blue undoing all Gaynor’s hard work to come away a 69–49 winner. The players of the match were Shane Eagle and Jeff Stait.

Hunter Mining Methods Miscues versus Carpet One Tall Timbers:

Kevin Slaven versus Howie Fisher: Slaven has been on a roll lately he lost his first five games and since has won three consecutive games and going well. Fisher since returning to snooker has won four games and when they played each other in the first round Slaven was Fishers first win. Fisher won last week so it was set up for a good game and Slaven was much better prepared. Slaven played his best game to date as he took control early and played like a man possessed as he cruised to a 73–32 win.

Jeff Martin versus Aaron Vandermeer: Since his return to snooker Martin has exceeded expectations because it usually takes a little while to get consistency. He has dome this by winning more than he has lost and Vandermeer is opposite losing more than winning and not going that great. Martin was very solid from start to finish with Vandermeer struggling. Martin won easily 54–24.

Brian Bonus versus Frank Wawn: Bonus turns up, plays and enjoys and Wawn turns up, plays and enjoys when he wins. Bonus has had interruptions due to work hence just the single win and Wawn is a bit more serious with six wins and five losses. This was a good game with some good shots on display and in the end Bonus put together his best effort to win  56–49.

Garry Bender versus Leon Rust: Bender is having a shocker with just two wins and five losses and Rust is doing a lot better with 50 per cent wins/losses. Their stats reflected how the game turned out as Rust was on a mission and potting all in front of him, luckily Bender stood back otherwise he might have been jammed in the pocket as well. Bender had nothing as Rust rushed to a 63–23 win.

Matt Tattersall versus Michael Andrews: Tattersall has not been at his best this comp though winning he has not set the world on fire unlike last comp. Both these players are contrary in the way the approach their play as Tattersall is laid back and take things in his stride and Andrews very much concentrates hard and plays very well tactically. This went the tactician’s way as Andrews potted then played safe making it hard for Tattersall who in turn made some uncharacteristic mistakes. Andrews did well to win 49–35.

Allan Piggott versus Michael McCosker: Piggott out of his first nine games won eight then had three losses and back to the winners circle last week and is having a great comp. McCosker is not far behind having won seven games for three losses and also playing well. Some mistakes were made in this game but it was of a high quality and Piggott led all the way until the last three balls. McCosker played catch up all game and then pulled out all stops to win on the last three balls 46–43 in a very close game. The players of the match were Jeff Martin and Leon Rust.

Point score: Helmets 61, Jiggers 60, Miscues 50, Tall Timbers 46, Red Sox 40, Pockets 37

Regal: R.Farnsworth, I.Bulkeley, A.Piggott, T.Lewis, D.McBey, J.Nelson, D.Adams, M.McCosker