The Plough & Harrow at Bridge entertained the Alma A in the key match of the week, which finished in a 3-3 draw. Paddy Maher took the first leg for the Plough after opening with a 2500 break, which his opponent Ted Batchelor was unable to overhaul. Chris Saville started his leg with an 8580 break and consequently levelled the match, before Keith Symes regained the lead for the home team with a 4260-2940 win against John Mitchell. The first doubles frame saw the Alma again level the match with handy 2000 break contributions from both Ted Batchelor and John Mitchell. A key win for the Alma in their chase behind the leading two teams looked possible when they took the fifth leg and the ascendancy for the first time. The Alma pair took an early lead and retained it with decent contributions on the 50 hole from both Chris Saville and Ted Batchelor. The vital draw was gained for the league leaders though when Keith Symes & Baz Symes defeated Chris & Gill Saville 5090-3920.
Second placed Chantry Club closed the gap on the leaders with a 4-2 victory at home to the Royal Oak from Nonnington. John Fullager continued his excellent form this season with a 7830-2020 win over Richard Cousens in the first leg, which was bettered by a superb score of 9130 for Stuart Richardson as he levelled the tie for the Royal Oak. Mick Nichol notched a 7840 total for the Chantry to put his side in front, before Roger Standen & John Fullager extended their lead in the first doubles leg. Alan Smith and Daryl Brown pulled a leg back with a hard fought 5100-4010 victory, but the vital final leg went the way of the Canterbury team.
The final fixture in division one saw a comprehensive 6-0 win for the Greyhound B at home to the Lion Hotel, a result which moves the Sandwich team off the bottom of the table for the first time. Derek Latham beat Terry Laslett 4280-3130 in the first leg, but only after Terry had eroded a large deficit to almost catch Derek’s score. Craig Carlson won the second leg with a 6500 score, before the third singles was stolen at the end by Daniel Jackson against Paul Smart. Paul played well and led throughout, but approaching the bar Daniel got the break back, and went on to sink the final ball down the 100 to win 3940-3880. Daniel Jackson & Craig Carlson took the first doubles leg for unassailable lead, and the final two frames followed suit.
In division two, leaders the Greyhound A slipped up, losing 4-2 away to the Brickmakers B. Dave Carter played well again to take the first leg for the Brickies, before Alan Farra scored 5810 to level the tie. A return to form for Simon Jones with a 7580-2160 defeat of Gareth Butcher regained the lead for the Deal team after the singles. A superb night for Dave Carter was completed as he played and won both of the first two doubles legs, with firstly Paul Dargan and then Simon Jones. Pride was restored for the Greyhound in the last leg, but only after the final ball was sunk for a 3090-2990 win for Gareth Butcher and Dave Carliell.
Second placed Fitzwalter Arms failed to close the gap on the leaders as they lost at home to the Plough & Harrow from Tilmanstone 4-2, a result that moves the Plough team into second place. Another good win for Steve Lake (6170) was followed by victory for Roger Oldfield, including a break of 4970, which gave the Fitzwalter a 2-0 lead. The Plough & Harrow refused to succumb to defeat easily however, as Ann Keen started the comeback with a tenacious 4090-3720 victory against Nigel Scott, and then she teamed up with Brian Carpenter to take the first doubles leg. Brian then scored a 1990 break as he partnered Ken Keen to an excellent win, and the turnaround was completed as Ken & Ann Keen took the final leg and the match.
The Magnet B travelled to the Butchers Arms and enjoyed a 5-1 win. Steve Philpott and Rob Robertson took the first two legs for the Magnet, before Tanya Philpott edged out Baz Winter for a 3-0 lead. The home point was recorded in the first doubles leg as Baz Winter & Doug Vickers gained a good 2580-1520 victory over their rivals. The final two legs then went the way of the Magnet, as Ward Griffiths partnered first Tanya Philpott and then Rob Robertson to win both.
The final match saw a 4-2 for the Alma B against the Brickmakers A. Paul Garlinge defeated Dave Howarth in the first leg, before Bill Edwards maintained his 100% record to level the tie, a win which included a break of 3410 for Bill. The Brickmakers only other point came as Craig Lancaster & Paul Garlinge teamed up to beat Anne Cope and Paul Callanan in the first doubles.