The Chantry Club edged closer to the title as they held defending
champions the Alma A at home 3-3.  Things started well for the Alma as
Ted Batchelor took the first leg with a 7000 break, and then Tim Bourner
made it 2-0 after scoring 6940 against John Fullager.  This was John
Fullager's first singles defeat of the season, ending the last unbeaten
record.  Mick Nichol took the final singles leg, however, with an 8050
total for the 1-2 scoreline.  An excellent win in the first doubles for
the Chantry levelled matters, as all four players opened on maximum
breaks, a leg eventually won by John Fullager and Kevin kay as John
managed a second maximum 2000 break.  A good leg for Ted Batchelor and
John Mitchell in leg five restored the Alma lead as they both
contributed to their 6030 score.  A dramatic last leg saw Chris Saville
open with 1000 for the Alma, which was in turn was equalled by Mick
Nichol.  Tim Bourner and John Fullager both then broke on maximum 2000s
to keep the deciding leg level.  Chris Saville then managed another 1000
break as the Alma led, only for Mick Nichol to score enough late to pip
the Alma with a 4820-4310 scoreline.
Another draw meant that the Plough & Harrow from Bridge were unable to
close the gap on the Chantry, their result 3-3 at the Magnet A.  The
first point went to the Plough as Baz Symes just beat John Higgins, then
Mike Callanan (6250) won to pull the Magnet equal.  Paddy Meher restored
the lead for the Plough before the doubles.  A shock looked possible as
the Magnet took the first two doubles for a 3-2 lead, courtesy of wins
for firstly Lin Callanan and Ward Griffiths, then John Higgins and Lin
Callanan.  Keith Symes and Ian Dennett rallied in the final leg to take
the match to a draw.
The Greyhound B have given themselves hope of avoiding the drop after
beating the Royal Oak at home 5-1, a result that in turn drags the
Nonnington team into the relegation scrap.  Derek Latham beat Stuart
Richardson 3850-3080 as Derek led early, but Stuart was just unable to
close the gap.  Craig Carlson (4330) took the second leg for the
Sandwich team, before Daniel Jackson won a close match 3180-2740 against
Alan Smith for a 3-0 lead.  Victory was assured for the Greyhound after
the first doubles as Daniel Jackson and Matt Newman combined for the
decisive point.  The Oak's sole point came from Gary Clarke and Alan
Smith in the fifth leg, before Matt Newman and Craig Carlson beat
Richard Cousens and Alan Smith 5310-2410 for the 5-1 win. 

In Division two, the Greyhound A enjoyed an emphatic 6-0 win at the
Butchers Arms to strengthen their promotion push.  Gareth Butcher took
the first leg, before Ruth Collins was again unlucky not to win a
singles leg, narrowly losing 1220-1170 against Christine Farra.  Alan
Farra recorded a 5450 break en route to a 7470-1870 win over Doug
Vickers.  Another close leg in the first doubles saw a 1320-1140 win for
Dave Carliell and Gareth Butcher against Doug Vickers and Ruth Collins,
before the Greyhound wrapped up the final two legs for maximum points.
With the Fitzwalter Arms playing next Monday, the Plough & Harrow from
Tilmanstone took advantage to move into second place after a 4-2 victory
at the Brickmakers A.  An impressive win for Ann Keen (4990) gave the
Plough the lead before an equally impressive victory for Paul Garlinge
(4390) levelled the tie.  Brian Carpenter took the final singles to
re-establish the lead for the visitors.  The first doubles went to the
final ball as Brian Carpenter and Ann Keen edged Nick Corck and Craig
Lancaster 2950-2780.  The Brickies gained their second point as on form
Paul Garlinge partnered Craig Lancaster for a 3930 score before Ann Keen
and Ron Beer (4180) wrapped up the victory in the final leg.
The final match saw an all Deal match as the Alma B beat the Magnet B
4-2.  Rick Cowdrey took the first leg for the Alma, narrowly beating
Tanya Philpott 2110-1820.  An excellent win for Rob Robertson over Bill
Edwards kept the spoils even early, but the singles finished 2-1 for the
Alma as Dave Howarth defeated Chris Gent 3590-1760.  Harry Pearson
played all three doubles for the Alma and was on form as he won the
first two, firstly with Rick Cowdrey and then Bill Edwards.  The
Magnet's final consolation point came from Rob Robertson and Steve
Philpott.