Chantry Breach the Alma Line.

Top of group 1 of the Dover Deal and District Bar Billiards League took a slightly clearer picture this week as the top teams met. Chantry 'A' were one point behind undefeated Alma, but ran out 4 - 2 winners in a tense match.

Singles wins for Kevin Kay (6370) and Mick Nichol over Ted Batchelor and Chris Saville got the Chantry off to a flying start, before Tim Bourner pulled one back for the Alma against John Fullager. The main battles came in the pairs where the lowest losing score was 3100 on a tricky table.  Fullager and Roger Standen pipped John Mitchell and Bachelor 4740 - 4110, the bar dropping with Batchelor on the table 800 behind. Chris Saville and Mitchell snatched the second at the death 4630 - 3100, Saville hitting two 2000 maximum breaks. The decisive last leg between Fullager and Kay against Mitchell and Bourner was dead level with seconds to go when Fullager was left a ball in front of the 50 hole. John's experience showed as he kept his head and potted on the 50 hole to give his side the leg 3890 - 3400 and the vital match points. Chantry are now three points in front going into the last week.

In Group 2 the top sides also met, but second placed Royal Oak sprang a surprise against high flying Chantry 'B' who were ten points clear.  Garry Clarke and Alan Smith put the Oak in front to a win from Kevin Dyer for the Chantry. Again the pairs produced high scores with Roger Cousins and Stuart Richardson piping Stan Brocklebank and Dave Tottman 3110 - 2580. Smith and Clarke took the second with 3950 - 2280 over Dyer and Brocklebank. Top score of the night came for the visitors in the last with Dave Tottman and Dyer beating Clarke  and Cousins 6590 - 1130. The win leaves the Oak level with the Lion for the seeded runners up spot going into the last week of the groups stage.

Top scores elsewhere came from Craig Carlson with 5610 for the Greyhound 'A' against Magnet 'A' for whom Mike and Lin Callanan did best with 5160. The match finished level. with the two teams vying for the last slot in the play offs for the main cup.

 Group 1

Alma ‘B’                      6     Brickmakers 'A'           0

Brickmakers Arms ‘B’  2     Plough&Harrow,Bridge  4

Chantry 'A’                  4     Alma ‘A’                      2                     

Greyhound 'B’              3    Magnet ‘A’                   3

Group 2

Fitzwalter Arms             5          Plough&Harrow,Tilm      1

Magnet 'B'                     1          Lion                             5

Royal Oak                     4          Chantry 'B'                   2