BILLIARDS

Ewers leads County back to top COUNTY A are back on top of Division 1 after Jimmy Ewers led them to a 2-1 win over New Club - and they still have a game in hand.

They won despite losing the opening game, when New Club's Harry Kidner (+110) beat Roger Coeners (+70) 150-136.

James Thorpe (+10) gained his seventh victory when he beat George Washington (+100) 200-176 to level the scores.

But the star of the evening was Ewers (+50) who remains unbeaten after eight outings.

He demolished Justin Shepherd (+30), who has seven victories under his belt, with a runaway win of 200-95, compiling breaks of 30 and 36.

Ashton, bottom of Division 1, enjoyed a 2-1 win over second-placed CCC A. Peter Fenn (+80) gave Ashton a super start when he beat Arthur Coakley (+100) 150-115.

Although Keith Pearce (+60) levelled the match by easily beating Keith Maskens (+60) 150-63, the home success was never in doubt as Terry Chambers (-10) romped away to a resounding 200-117 win over Dick Hashman (-20).

In Division 2, HCCA won 2-1 away to third-placed Morris Motors.

Tony Palmer (+100) gave HCC a flying start when he beat Roger Tomlin (+70) 150-90 and raised the Section 3 highest break to 28.

Although Tony Baker (+40) levelled matters by defeating Geoff Barrett (+90) 200-167, John Williams (+80) won the match for HCC by beating Bob Hayward (+70) 150-102.

Second-placed Fieldside visited Thame B and came away 2-1 winners despite losing the opening game, when Nigel Bossom (+30) of Thame beat Norman Woodcock (+80) 150-102.

Fieldside captain Paul Robinson (-10) won for the sixth time beating Peter Hawkes (+110) 200-143 to level the match.

In the decider, Bob Chivers (-40) beat Tom Fletcher (+80) 200-167.

CCC B took on Eynsham at home and won 2-1, despite losing the opening game when Geoff Watson (+90) beat Ken Olive (+60) 150-113.

Brian Mabbutt (+10) made it 1-1 by beating Mick McClusky (+90) 200-176, and John Simpson (+30) returned to form after a lean spell to overcome Ken Leach (+90) 200-169.

Tonight's first round of the Stephen Reiss Cup will reverts to the original knock-out format.