SNOOKER: IN THE first round of The Chester Challenge Trophy, league leaders Conservative A were made to fight to the last frame against Upton.
The first three frames went down to a black-ball finish. Lea Dagher, after trailing by 60, came back to pip James Coe on the black ball. In the second frame, John Over Snr levelled the match with a black-ball win over Dave Smith and John Over Jnr put Upton in front with a re-spotted black-ball win over Eddie Jenkins.
Gary Morley made it 3-1 with a comfortable win over Andy Duckers, captain Steve Allaman pulled one back for Conservatives with his win over Chris Welsh to make it 3-2, and Andy Short clinched it for Cons with a brilliant win over Mike Hague. Giving a 20 start, he ran out an easy winner 97-42 to give Cons the match on the aggregate score.
City Transport A went out to a lower-division side in Liberal A. Colin Morris and Brian Kelly gave Transport a two-frame lead and Shane Futcher put them three ahead in a close encounter with Steve Ankers. Dave Tilston was a pink ball away from giving Transport a 4-0 win, but Alan Dagnall stepped in and took the pink and the black to keep Liberal in the match.
Phil Sullivan then had an easy win over Vinnie Futcher and Anthony Barnes pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat with a close win over Kevin Scott to give Liberal a gallant aggregate win.
St Saviours B comfortably defeated Transport B 4-0.
In the derby clash, Upton D came out on top against Upton B. Andy Sutton-Thompson and Ken Cavey gave the D team a 2-0 lead, but Mike Wilkes and Mike Phelan pulled it level for the B team. In the end, the D team were too strong with wins from John O'Boyle and Dave Nicholas giving them a 4-2 win.
Utd Services A accounted for Christleton Institute in a close encounter. After losing the first frame after Mark Cooke gave a good display for Christleton, Services won the next three frames through Alan Platt, Paul Ellis and Gerry Byewater. Chris Dixon made it 3-2 but Roy Baker had a brilliant win over Alan Lea to give Services the match.
