SNOOKER & BILLIARDS: A CHANGE was as good as a rest in the Widnes & District Snooker League as preliminary-round matches in the Team Knockout provided respite from the weekly routine of domestic action.
The closest tie of the lot was between Widnes Conservative Club A of Division One and Division Three's United Services Club B.
The difference between the sides was an awesome 92-27 win from Kenny 'The Cat' Boscoe and a final black of the match from Mark Smith.
Arguably the biggest shock came at Simms Cross Institute where Division Two's Pavilions from Weston Point, Runcorn, took the scalp of the hosts' top-flight A team.
Their success was primarily due to Phil Crilly's 92-17 frame victory first up.
Widnes Rec turned the tables on powerful RAOB A from Division One with an outstanding effort from Paul Antrobus and John Hunt.
Perennial trophy contenders Simms Cross B took another Division One scalp by taming St Joseph's A - R Leather being in top form for the Division Three outfit.
It really was a bridge too far when Eccleston Lane Ends A from Division Two hosted St Bede's.
The Division One visitors were steered home by Johnny Holland (106-34) and Peter Lawrenson (93-32).
Village B of Division Two had a sound victory over Widnes Cricket Club B, from Division Three - aided by Neil Webster's 98-27.
St Joseph's B team fared better than their A side - a hard-fought win at Birchfield powered by John Twist (74-27) and Mike Murray (59-33).
Division Three's Prescot Reform couldn't continue their good start to the season and crashed to a surprisingly heavy defeat at St Basil's B - Ste Andrews' 68-26 frame win getting the ball rolling for the Division One side.
Ford A overcame a 190-point deficit on handicap to triumph at Hough Green SC B of Division Two.
Their success was rubber-stamped by Jimmy Jenkins (81-27) and Chris Whitfield (78-19).
Widnes Cricket Club C cast aside their dismal league form for a comfortable win against fellow Division Two rivals Farnworth B.
Grinding out the all-important wins were C Niloban (62-24) and John Selby (54-38).
Widnes Conservative Club C (Di-vision Two) steamrollered Division One's stuttering Halton RBL with Mike Foran wining 58-31 while Simon Howard (68-10) rediscovered his old form. nSt Basil's A toppled St Basil's B in a one-sided rearranged league derby to go top of Division One.
Starring roles in the 8-1 romp were taken by Alan Dunn (75-10) and Jason Sharp (90-41). nIt is with deep regret the league reports the death of Village C team player Maurice Lines.
Sincere condolences go to Maurice's family and friends. nEric Baker produced something special in the Widnes & District Billiards League.
His unfinished 62 break was the highlight of the week's programme and set the tone for Simms Cross A's 5-2 victory.
Team-mate Kev Marsh chipped in with a 100-18 frame in the 5-2 defeat of visiting Widnes Conservative Club B.
Widnes Rec maintained their 10-point lead - Andy Grice's 100-32 frame and a 100-39 win from Mick Anderson were too hot for struggling USC B.
Ford kept up their challenge with an impressive 5-2 victory - Geoff Brassington and Peter Cornes (both 100-50) joining skipper Ken Pearsall (10-63) in putting the skids under Widnes Conservative Club A.
In the derby clash of the two Farn-worth teams, the A side edged out the B 5-2. Terry Burke (100-41) and Andy Stacey (100-72) were the headliners.
In the tightest match of the night, USC A pipped Moorfield 4-3 thanks to John McCauley (100-59) and Bernie Edwards (100-32).
