Starlet's victory Ast to rank as one his best yet

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 8, 2008

THE final of Sunday's one-day ranking event at Gateshead SC featured two of the series back-markers, Gateshead's national under-19 champion John Astley and Durham's former professional Michael Rhodes.

What was expected to be a fast and furious match with the occasional big break turned out to be just the opposite, with lots of good tactical play but not a break over 50.

Having won the scrappy opening two frames 68-23 and 59-11 with a series of small runs in the 20s and 30s, Astley then lost the next when Rhodes bounced back to take the third 56-48 on the final black.

Needing only one of the two remaining frames for the game, another one-sided affair saw the now confident Astley finish off the match 3-1 by clinching the low-scoring fourth 61-22.

Astley's 3-1 win in the semi-finals against Walker's John Craig included a 54 from the England international and a wellcompiled 57 from Craig.

In a first-round contest against Hebburn's Lilley, Craig had to overcome the highest break of the day, a magnificent 141 total clearance, before going on to claim a place in the second round after fluking the brown in the decider and then cleaning up to clinch the match 3-2 on the final black.

In the other semi, Rhodes was made to pull out all the stops before scraping past Wallsend's Billy Hunter 3-2 in the fifth and final frame.

Other notable breaks came from Jarrow's Paul Garvin, who fired a superb 127-79 and Rhodes, who clocked up two 85s and a 69.

Other 69s came from both Nial Balmer and Norman Leslie, and a 68 from 14- year-old starlet Glen Bowman.

Ritchie Stannes claimed the honours in the plate final after disposing of Gilly Aslam in straight frames (83 (40)-9, 80-8.

WITH an 18-strong team and six group titles up for grabs, last year's winners Northern are sure to start favourites when they travel to Rileys Snooker Centre in Manchester this weekend for the annual Disability Sport England's National Snooker Championships Play-Offs.

DESPITE going down 3-2 at home to Railway Club, Gateshead SC (21) still share top spot in the Newcastle and Gateshead League with unbeaten Coxlodge (21).

Coxlodge registered their sixth consecutive win after beating Westfield B 3-2. Railway Club and Bentinck SC share second spot, one point adrift.

RESULTS: Associates 3 Saltwell 2, Fairholm 1 Bentinck 4, Throckley UJ1 Labour Club B 4, Lindum 2 Dunston Ex. 3, Westfield A 5 Teams O, Coxlodge 3 Westtield B 2.

BOMARSUND A's 2-1 home victory against Choppington A keeps them at the top of the Ashington Veterans League snooker division by a single point from Veterans C, who move up to second following a 3-0 whitewash over Lynemouth.

RESULTS: Bomarsund A VsChoppington ASnooker 2-1, Billiards 1-2, Benton Vs Vets D 2-1,2-1 Vets A Vs Vets B1 -2,2-1, Vets C Vs Lynemouth 3-0,1-2, Guidepost Vs Bomarsund B 2-1, 1 -2, Choppington B Vs Seaton Hirst A 1-2, 2-1.

WITH three matches now played in the Ashington League it is Clayton SC and Choppington who lead the field, with Excelsior A breathing down their necks in second.