NORTON Social A eased two points clear of Hotshots SC B at the top of the Stourbridge Snooker League's Premier Division by taking maximum points in their match whereas their rivals only won 4-1.

Norton had a comfortable win at home to Pockets SC B, a 30 break putting Adam Ness on course for his 17th win in 18 frames, before he cleared with a half-century, although Ashley Aston trailed Bob Moran until a fine 35 break left his opponent requiring a snooker.

Luke Garland, with a 47 break, and Jon Bate put Hotshots SC B 2-0 ahead at home to Amblecote Institute B; Callum Downing made certain of the win with a 63 break, but Stuart Langford hit back for the visitors, doing well to beat Richard Haney, before Luke Higginbotham, who’s lost only twice, made it 4-1. There’s still much to play for as Norton’s next two fixtures are away to third placed Brandhall Labour, before they entertain Hotshots B, in a potential title decider.

Brandhall remained ten points adrift of the top two with a 4-1 win away to Moor Pool and Snooker B, where Geoff Williams’ 62 break was the highlight, and Ian Priest ensured the hosts took something from the match.

In turn, Brandhall are now ten points clear of West Midlands Police, who moved into fourth with a 3-2 win over defending champions, Hotshots SC A.

Ash Sidaway had the highest league break of the week, with a 67 in the opening frame for Amblecote Institute A, who went on to beat Netherton Sports and Social 4-1, to lift them into fifth place, while Pockets SC A beat Moor Pool and Snooker 4-1.

Meanwhile, Hotshots SC C, in their first season, had seen their march towards the First Division title stumble a little over the last two weeks, but they regained their stride with a 3-2 win away to third placed Kingswinford RBL A.

Baggeridge Social remained in second place, although they slipped up 3-2 at home to Kingswinford Cons A. Ryan Allmark, just 15 years old, and Matt Whale won for Baggeridge but Wayne Whitmore, who took his tally to 15 wins in 17 by handing Luke Whale only his fourth defeat, Fred Dent and John Rees, who overpowered Frankie Bennett in the decider, took the honours for the Cons, a much-needed result, following four defeats which had dropped them close to the relegation zone.

A 5-0 win away to Kingswinford Cons B lifted Norton Social B into a share of third place, three points off Baggeridge.

A week after their heroics away to Hotshots, Kinver Constitutional A were brought down to earth on their own tables by Moor Pool and Snooker C; Paul Jones, Ben Wakeman and Steve Tranter combined for a 3-2 win for Moor P&S, who are sixth, but only seven points behind second, with a match in hand.

Kinver’s C team also lost at home, 3-2 in a good performance by Stourbridge Institute A.

Stourbridge Institute B took a giant step towards securing the Second Division title with a 4-1 victory over close rivals, Amblecote Institute C. Nick Aston, Harry Jones, Trevor Pardoe and Tom Hamilton all won although Carl Green just lost against Mark Colbourne, and the result eased them 11 points clear of Amblecote who remain third with four matches to play.

Second placed Wombourne’s opponents, despite being reminded of the fixture, failed to turn up, conceded the match, but, to their credit, Wombourne would prefer the match to be played if a suitable date can be found.

Stourbridge Old Edwardians won 4-1 at home to Kingswinford RBL B, Harry Hall, Stewart Barclay, Chris Cowley and Ed Davies combining to move their team to within three points of third place, taking advantage of a slip by Amblecote RBL, who lost 3-2 at Kingswinford Cons C.