Acomb 'A' team, who won only three matches last season, are the surprise leaders of York Conservative clubs' Carlsberg-Tetley Snooker League after defeating Fulford 'A' 5-2.

Geoff Meek and Peter Lawson (25 break) put Acomb in front, but John Anderson took the next frame for Fulford. Gary Robinson, Bob Ventress and Trevor Ventress won the next three frames for Acomb and Simon England won the final frame for Fulford.

Fulford 'B' moved into second place with a 5-2 win over Acomb 'B'. Arthur Pegden, Bob Smith, Bernie Appleton, Ray Thackway and George Toone were Fulford's winners. John Ashner and Phil Carlton replied for Acomb.

Third-placed Heworth 'A', the defending champions, went 5-0 up against a depleted Bootham 'A' with victories by Jason Milner, Keith Lawrence (29 break), Brian Shipley, Kevin Gall (28 break) and Steve Burdett.

Neil Wood was leading 36-13 and then Barry Rankin compiled a 37 break, the highest of the season so far. Wood sank the last three reds with baulk colours and a clearance looked certain but he failed on a simple yellow and Rankin stepped in to clear to black and win 70-54.

Bootham's Brian Coulson was level on 37 with Clive Whyte, who crept ahead to lead 61-37 with only three colours left. Coulson gained 17 points from three snookers, potted blue and pink and finally black and stole the frame 72-61 to earn Bootham's second point.

Heworth 'B' defeated Bootham 'B' 5-2 in a match which had several close results. Brian and David Birch, Keith Watkinson, Chris Thompson and Huw Faicliff won for Heworth, with replies by Ray Stamp and George Long.

Defending champions Acomb recovered from 2-1 down in the opening match in York Conservative clubs' Slater Cup Snooker Pairs League to beat Heworth 5-2.

The first two matches finished with the scores 7-36, both teams winning a frame. John Blanchard and Pat Johns then opened up a 50 point lead for Heworth in the aggregate scores. However, Acomb took the last three frames and George Rawling and Mike Bowker secured the aggregate point with a 26 point win.

Bootham took the number one spot with a 6-1 win at Heworth helped by two black ball wins but they easily took the aggregate point.

Acomb made it three wins in a row in York Conservative clubs' Faber Shield Billiards League with a 5-2 success against last year's champions Fulford and head the league with 16 points.

Trevor and Kevin Ventress put Acomb 2-0 in front only for Brian Bickerstaff and Jeff Brown to level the match. Ian Gillies regained the lead for Acomb and Keith Myers overcame a deficit to secure the aggregate point and the match. Fulford are in second place on 12 points.

Heworth recorded their first win of the season, 6-1 against Bootham 'A', who have yet to open their account. Alf Appledby, Peter Webster, Mick Frampton, Huw Faircliff and a walkover by Keith Watkinson gained Heworth victory. Barry Rankin came from well behind to steal the game from Chris Thompson for Bootham's sole point.

Updated: 10:06 Saturday, October 11, 2003