NORTON Social A narrowed the gap to Stourbridge and District Snooker League leaders Hotshots SC B with a 4-1 win at home to Amblecote Institute A.

Steve Mason, Adam Ness, Ashley Aston and Darren Oakes, who had a 47 break, all won decisively, with David Oakes, in good touch, taking a consolation frame for the Institute.

Brandhall Labour eased back into third place at the expense of Hotshots SC A, who they defeated 4-1 with some fine performances from Alan Hooper, with runs of 57 and 40, Geoff Williams, with a 40 break, Jason Hickman and Bal Sembi.

Rob Howen responded for the defending champions.

Pockets SC A lifted themselves into fifth place with a 4-1 win away to Moor Pool and Snooker B.

Carl Webb, Andy Barnett and Steve Howell put Netherton Sports and Social into an unassailable position on the tables of Amblecote Institute B, but Adam Coley and Stuart Langford hit back with a frame each for Amblecote who are in their first season in the top flight, having won promotion last season.

Hotshots SC C, who lost for the first time last week, restored their ten point advantage at the top of the First Division, although they had to battle hard to win 3-2 away to Stourbridge Institute A.

John Mathews, Dawid Konior and Rob Beard just did enough to secure the win with Paul Bates, who did well to defeat the prolific Paul Caldeira, and Paul Garbett responding.

The leaders’ two closest challengers lost. Baggeridge Social slipped up 3-2 at home to Kingswinford RBL A, for whom Tony Davies, Dave Reece and Gregg Reece took the honours, while Kinver Constitutional B lost 4-1 at home to Moor Pool and Snooker C, who leap-frogged their opponents to move into third place.

Dennis Pickett, Paul Jones, Ben Wakeman, who is now one of three players with 10 wins from 11 frames, and Rob Sidaway gave Moor P&S added impetus to their promotion bid, with Paul Churchman taking the frame which at least keeps Kinver in fourth position, where they were joined by their A team, 4-1 winners against their own C team.

There was no change in positions at the top of the Second Division as the top three teams won by the same 4-1 scoreline.

Stourbridge Institute B beat their own D team, with Nick Aston now unbeaten in 12 frames and Simon Tyler yet to lose in nine; Harry Jones and Tommy Hamilton completed the win with Mike Pritchard taking a frame against his club colleagues and former teammates.

The leaders remained three points clear as Amblecote Institute C matched their result, with Colin Homer, Ray Vanes, Roy Pugh and Mark Colbourne combining to beat Kingswinford Cons D.

Not to be outdone, third placed Wombourne enjoyed their first visit to Old Edwardians; although they lost the opening frame when Harry Hall cleared the last three balls all with the use of the rest, Dave Flavell, Bob Mason, Paul Tristram, and John Wooldridge, who did really well to lower the colours of Chris Cowley, the 83 break-maker of the previous week, took the last four frames, and they trail the leaders by five points as the second half of the season began.

Amblecote RBL beat Kinver Constitutional D 4-1 to ease into fourth place, a further four points adrift, including wins for brothers Jack and Sam Ball who beat the in-form pairing of Will Spruce and Ed Bishop respectively.

Kingswinford Cons C continued their revival with Ricky Savage, Sam Porter and Leigh Bennett just doing enough to defeat Amblecote Institute D at home 3-2; Mark Daniels, returning to his former club, and Sajid Latif hit back for the visitors.

Followers of the league will be saddened to hear of the death of Stourbridge Institute's Bob Cartwright who has passed away aged 79.

He played for Stourbridge Conservative Club until its closure before joining Stourbridge Institute. He was always keen to watch and support the various teams in his latter years and would be willing to play as required.