THE jinx on North West “Ten Reds” snooker champions retaining their title struck again when Low Moor were edged out in the quarter-finals by Clitheroe rivals Social Club.

Low Moor went 3-1 down as Social Club took full advantage of their generous handicap marks.

Marc Holmes turned in a skipper’s frame against Steve Horsfield to pull one back but Gavin McQuaide, bidding to level the match, went down on the black to Social captain Gary Simkin.

Duncan McNally’s St Andrews outfit maintained their good form with a 4-2 win away to Alexandra SC, Nelson, No 2, but the Alex’s first team beat Clitheroe RBL 4-2 on Sunday night.

It was a tight match in which the Ormerod boys starred. Keith won the opener and Steve went on at 3-2 to stitch it. But it wasn’t plain sailing – he needed two snookers against Simon Thompson.

Paul Blackburn and Mark Riley won the RBL frames Burnley side Dickie Pinks, strongly fancied for the title this year, crashed 4-0 away to Blackpool cracks Excelsior. Glenn Stevenson, Paul Bradburn, Johnny O’Reilly and Jamie Southern failed to pick up a frame between them.

“Everything went for us,” said Excelsior manager Ged Marcus. “It was just one of those nights.” Phil Waters led the charge and Andy Power finished it off.

The two semi-finals are next Monday and Tuesday, May 7 and 8, at Claremont Con Club, Blackpool. On the Monday, Alexandra No 1 play Excelsior and on the Tuesday St Andrews line up against Clitheroe Social. The small table final is on the Thursday.

n East Lancs beat Blackpool 7-5 in the away leg of the twice-yearly challenge match for the Gascon Trophy.

Chris Lawson won the clincher and team-mate Andy Dibb was man-of-the-match.

n Punch Hotel have moved into top spot and favouritism for the Blackburn with Darwen snooker league championship as Stanhill and Alexandra have slipped in recent weeks.