Express & Star

Life of Riley as Parsons shows his class

Riley Parsons was in red-hot form as he booked his place in the next round of the Aldridge League Individual Championship.

Published

The St Johns cueman knocked in impressive breaks of 97 and 71 on his way to a 3-1 success against Rob Wharne.

In a high standard contest, the first two frames were shared before Parson took control of the match in frame three with a fine run of 71 to go 2-1 up. And, with his confidence high, the best was yet to come as he continued his fine form in frame four.

He was on for a dream maximum by potting the first 13 reds with 12 blacks, but then came unstuck on 97 when he missed the 13th black.

Parsons then helped St Johns maintain their lead at the top of the Premier Division table. He took the opening frame at home to third-placed Pelsall A only for Mick Faulkner to level matters with the aid of a break of 53.

The middle frames were split with Robbie James winning for St Johns and Paul Dobson forcing a decider. The final frame was a tight affair but Jack Harris came out on top to clinch the win for St Johns.

Second-placed Willenhall Liberal A continue to put pressure of the leaders after a 3-2 win away at Stafford Institute.

Nathan Wood, Simon Gough and Andy Price, with breaks of 38 and 33, clinched the match in the opening three frames.

Chris Ward and Rob Wharne, with a run of 43, then struck for Stafford.

Wednesfield Cons put there recent bad run behind them as they thrashed Landywood SC A 5-0 at home.

Simon Groves was the star of the show with a fine 72 break in the opener.Scott Tapper (48), Mitchell Lowbridge, Tony Davis and Oliver Spooner (44) completed the whitewash.

Just two points separate the top five teams in Division One at the halfway stage.

Pelsall Social B moved level on points with leaders Aldridge Cons A after beating them 4-1 at home.

Clive Smith put Pelsall ahead and that was followed by a win for unbeaten Stewart Jones (34) to go two up. Aldridge provided some resistance in the third frame as Alistair Morrison won but that was as good as it got as the hosts went on to seal the win through Alex Humphries and Bob Foster.

Bentley Moor B are a point behind in third following a 4-1 win at home to Amery Club. Jordan Bannister, Mitchell Swain, Dean Cattell and Neil Somerfield saw Bentley home. Kevin Evans took a consolation frame for the visitors.

At the other end of the table, Bloxwich Memorial C are now bottom following a 4-1 defeat to Stafford Road A.

Danny Ludgate, Kelton Scott, Neil Gould and Keith Poston Jnr put the visitors 4-0 up before Mark Poole took the final frame to avoid the whitewash.

Aldridge Social Club will go into the new year with a five-point lead at the top of Division Two after a hard-fought 3-2 home success against Victoria Club.

Jason Green and Jake Vardy put the leaders 2-0 up before Mark Harding hit back. Richard Banks then sealed the win with Joe Woodhouse having the last say for Victoria.

Old Hall A recovered from 2-1 down the beat Golden Cue and move into second spot.

Alan Killian, Shane Williams and Barry Hodson were on target for Old Hall. Ben Onions and Hasan Hussain replied for Cue.

Rushall Labour Club eased to a 4-1 triumph over struggling Birchills thanks to wins from Billy Stephenson, John Shaw, Craig Ash and Darren Westwood.

Results - Premier Division: Bloxwich Mem A 2 Poets Corner B 3; Poets Corner A 3 Bloxwich Mem B 2; St Johns SC 3Pelsall Soc A 2; Stafford Institute 2 Willenhall Lib A 3; Wednesfield Cons 5 Landywood SC A 0; Willenhall Lib B 2 Athenaeum Club 3.

Division One: Aldridge Cons C 2 Aldridge Cons B 3; Bloxwich Mem C 1 Stafford Rd A 4; Darlaston Cons 2 Bentley Moor A 3; Pelsall Soc B 4 Aldridge Cons A 1; Stafford Road B 3 Colebatches Club 2; Bentley Moor B 4 Amery 1.

Division Two: Aldridge SC 3 Victoria Club 2; Landywood SC B 2 Old Hall SC B 3; Old Hall SC A 3 Golden Cue 2; Q Bar 3 Fordhouses CC 2; Rushall Labour 4 Birchills 1; Norton Vic 3 Lichfield Road BC 2.

Individual Championship: Rob Wharne (-7) 1 Riley Parsons (0) 3.