The Railway Club produced a fine all-round team performance in front of a packed Clifton Lions crowd to take their first seven-a side-handicap TKO trophy

They scored a memorable 4-2 victory over defending champions Derwent A in the Window Outlet Cockermouth & District Snooker League’s latest showdown.

The winning septet are pictured alongside, left to right: Paul Graham, Steve Garroway, Kevin Basnett (capt with trophy), Neil Henderson, Steven Little, Barry Collins and Craig Davies.

The final draw threw up an exciting first frame clash as Derwent A’s former county champion Robert Sim took on in-form Railwayman Paul Graham. 

The expectant audience added an extra edge as the inevitable scrappy encounter ensued, however receiving 21 start Graham remained calm to uphold this lead until five reds remained.

A snooker by Sim changed the game as the miss rule not only resulted in the Derwent cueist receiving 12 points, but also presented him with an excellent frame-winning opportunity.

The lakeside player coolly went about his business and after four reds and three colours later things started to look ominous. Nevertheless a missed black left Graham still in the game, albeit ten  points behind.

A couple of safety shots later Sim was in again and after a great pot on the last red quickly followed by brown, yellow and position on the green the frame looked all but over.

In spite of this another surprising miss gave the Railway player one last throw of the dice.

Graham, requiring all the remaining balls wasted no time in swiftly potting the next three colours to leave a tricky pink to the middle pocket.

Thinking about his positional options he refused the pot to the middle in favour of a double to obtain perfect position on the black. As the pink agonisingly hit the jaw he left a straightforward pot for Sim which he duly dispatched for a relief inducing 66-56 Derwent A win.

In frame two Derwent A’s Vince Peet started confidently as a fine pot on the first red followed by the black capitalised on his 14 point start.

This early 22 point lead piled the pressure on Railway captain Kevin Basnett but as the game developed both players who missed good opportunities.

This continued until one red remained but as the Derwent A player was presented with a long pot still 15 points in front the frame looked to be at his mercy.

This, unfortunately, eluded him leaving the Railway captain an awkward but makeable cut to the middle pocket. As Basnett composed himself he disposed of the red and in gaining position on the green the frame was there to be won.

This was one opportunity the Railway player was not going to pass up and in clearing to the black with a break of 24 a captain’s performance was delivered for a 52-43 victory.

The match was now evenly poised at 1-1 as Derwent A’s Paul Killingley took on Railway’s Steve Garroway.

With both players famed for their attack-minded approach this frame had all the makings of being not one for the faint hearted.

Receiving ten start Killingley delivered some of his trademark long potting early on to lead by 25 points.

Surprisingly the game perspective changed and with some very tactical play from both cueists the game moved onto the colours with Killingley still 15 points to the good.

At this point Garroway was up against it but as he potted the next four colours, that included two sizable slices of luck, the Railwayman seemed to have destiny on his side. Alas, this didn’t materialise as in playing probably the worst shot of the frame Garroway gifted the last two balls to the lakesider who duly obliged for a 59-42 win.

In frame four Derwent B’s Carl Arthur had the advantage of nine points start but with a league winning run that stretches back to the middle of December Barry Collins was yet again another Railwayman bang in form.

In amongst the balls right off the break off Collins potted the first red only to miss the simplest of blacks. Arthur appeared to gain confidence from this with some fine potting, however Collins settled quickly and with some superior tactical play he gained a 27 point lead with three reds remaining.

The next few minutes play were always going to be the telling point in this frame and with Railway’s new grinder executing yet another fine safety shot he created a frame winning opening.  Even though the resultant chance only yielded 14 points it was enough for Derwent A’s Arthur to offer his hand, still one red remaining, as Collins presided 60-19.

At 2-2 the heat was on both teams with Derwent A’s Individual H’cap finalist, Chris D’Leny taking on Railway’s Craig Davies.

As the Railwayman was giving away 7 points start to the self-assured lakesider a good start was vital. This was realised with some great potting from Davies, nevertheless as the game evolved it was D’Leny who stole the advantage and with just the brown remaining he stood very much in control.

The next shot turned out to be the turning point in the whole match as Davies doubled the brown to the middle pocket. This was followed by perfect position on the blue and with nerves of steel the Railway player deposited the remaining three colours for a 63-50, 3-2 match lead triumph.

In what turned out to be the last frame of the evening Derwent A stalwart Steve Hodgson took on Railway’s ever reliable Steven Little.

This was a huge responsibility for the Railwayman as Derwent A captain John Thwaites was ready and waiting in the wings to take on Little’s teammate, Neil Henderson, in the potential deciding frame.

This was never going to be an open contest with so much at stake and even though Little had to give away 14 points start he created a very useful nine point lead going into the colours.

As the Derwent A player was to soon foul the pink, 15 points with the last six balls left seemed that much better for the Railway anchor man. The next two colours were traded, but with a narrow miss on the brown from Hodgson it was Little who was presented with the frame and match winning opportunity.

As the Railway cueist stepped to the table it was clear to see there was only one thing on his mind. The brown then the blue were soon to be deposited with coolness personified as Hodgson then offered his hand to Little, 54-32, to the delight of his Railway club team mates and supporters.

The losing Derwent A team pictured are, left to right: Paul Killingley, John Thwaites (capt), Vince Peet, Chris D'Leny, Steve Hodgson and Carl Arthur

Thanks to Clifton Lions for providing an excellent venue/buffet and to Eric McMullen for officiating.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 1st at Workington Legion, 7:30pm. All team captains/representatives are required to attend as Alder Hey IMAGINE appeal charity raffle tickets will be issued. Also, the venue for the Doubles H’cap final will be voted on.

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