Hart of the matter (From Knutsford Guardian)

Hart of the matter

4:10pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Sport

PAUL Hart cued a season-high break on his way to the Knutsford and District Amateur League’s Jay Trophy last four.

The Morley man knocked in 35 and then 54 in the opening frame against nine-times former winner Bruce Tulley (Mobberley A), racing into a 48-point lead in the next to seal a semi finals place.

In the other last eight ties, league secretary Tony Crompton made it through by default following David McDonald’s withdrawal, while Mere duo Mark Murphy and Sam Jackson eased past Mark Anderson (Wilmslow Cons B) and Steve Bond (Mobberley A) respectively.

The remaining four players meet at Tatton next month on finals night, when the victor of the league’s premier scratch singles competition will be decided.

Crompton continues to boast an unblemished record in the league’s Six Reds Challenge, launched in 2011, after winning the competition for the third successive year.

In a repeat of last season’s final, he proved too strong for Mobberley clubmate Paul Hodson on the duo’s home table.

Earlier, Crompton had emerged from his qualifying group as victor to set up a semi finals date with teammate Steve Bond, squeezing through only after a re-spotted black in a deciding frame.

Hodson blitzed Tatton’s star man Paul Townsend in their final four encounter.

Jay Trophy quarter finals: Sam Jackson (Mere) bt Steve Bond (Mobberley A) 2-0; David McDonald (Shaw Heath B) conceded to Tony Crompton (Mobberley A); Mark Murphy (Mere) bt Mark Anderson (Wilmslow Cons B) 2-0; Bruce Tulley (Mobberley A) lost to Paul Hart (Morley) 0-2. Semi finals (to be played April 11): Tony Crompton (Mobberley A) v Mark Murphy (Mere); Sam Jackson (Mere) v Paul Hart (Morley).