Snooker: Blackburn teams are big business in the NW small table finals

Chris Lawson got the ball rolling for Longshaw but it proved to be one match too far for the Longshaw talisman and he lost to Simon McKenna.

Craig Steele was outstanding in his commitment and he came out on top of a close battle with Steve Lawless.

Jonny Hannan has struggled to find his best form on the small tables this season and the youngster was under the cosh all the way against the experienced Keith Ormerod who duly made it 2-1 Alexandra.

George Holden was next up for Longshaw and put in one of his best performances of the season to beat Andy Cairns.

With the match level Tommy Hannan was in fine form against Chris Ashton and won easily, limiting Ashton to just 8 points. Frame six was even more one sided as the home side’s Alan Heaton showed what he is capable of with a stunning demolition job, 71-3 on Alexandra’s Brian Baxter.

The result means that three of the four semi final spots in this year’s tournament will be filled by teams from the Blackburn with Darwen Snooker League. League secretary Shaun Pendlebury said: “It’s a glowing testament to the standard of player we now have competing for us.

“It can only get better as we expand the league even further in the coming years.”

Longshaw No 1 will play the winner of the all Blackpool clash between Layton No 2 and Marton Institute in the first semi final on Monday, May 4.

The second semi sees Fox & Hounds No 2 face Longshaw No 2.

Both matches take place at the Claremont Conservative Club in Blackpool and start at 7.30pm.

There will be a coach available for Tuesday’s all-Blackburn clash with transport to and from the Claremont for only £3.

Full details from Derek Haworth at the Fox & Hounds.

The final will take place on Thursday, May 7 also at The Claremont.

n Richard Hardman of Ewood will play Jonny Hannan of Orchard in the Blackburn and Darwen Snooker League singles final.

The match will take place at Mill Hill WMC on Tuesday, April 24 at 8pm.