DARWEN Hotels Snooker League champions Cemetery A are just one match away from the elusive double.

But they had to sweat it out for nearly five hours in a marathon semi-final on the Prince before they edged through 4-3.

Gaz Hampson and Jim Barnes fought out an enthralling hour-and-a-half doubles with Andy Heyes and Kevin McAuley, before Hampson clinched it with an elegant blue into the middle. Dave Stevens got the Cem off to a flier and other individual wins came from Hampson and Andy Maudsley.

Punch came from 2-0 down to beat Borough 4-3. Paul Slater sent Justin Astley crashing to a rare defeat in the opener but Dave Houghton, Dave Wells and Ian Harle went on to level it. Lightning didn't strike twice for the Borough and quarter-final doubles heroes Slater and Jack Ainsworth were just edged out this time by individual finalists Harle and Astley.

The final, at the Cemetery tonight, is the last match of the eight-month season.

Cem will pick from: Harold Heys (capt), Ian McClure, Dave Stevens, Jim Barnes, Gaz Hampson, Andy Maudsley, Tony Brown and Walt Jarvis.

Punch choose from: Dave Houghton (capt), Ian Harle, Justin Astley, Rob Rice, Tommy Rice, Paul Wilkins, Dave Wells and Pete Astley.

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