GLADSTONE C, the defending champions, sent a warning to rivals on the opening night of a new season in the Northwich and District Pool League.

Eric Webber fired in a maximum break in the opening frame to set his side on a course for a whitewash success against Gladstone B.

Castle D, runners-up last term, also started in ominous fashion when they reeled off six successive frames to beat Rudheath.

A highlight for the victors was Martin Whitehead clearing the table.

Steve Whitlow, making his debut, was a third player to pot all eight balls from a single visit to the table to help Castle C edge out Castle A.

Elsewhere promoted Owley Wood B were grateful to Alan Brace for holding his nerve in a deciding frame as they rallied from 3-1 down to beat their guests Gladstone E.

Captain Darren Walton’s maximum proved in vain for Gladstone D when they struggled to recover from losing the first three frames in a 4-3 defeat against Greenbank A in Division Two.

Greenbank C squeezed past Owley Wood A, while newcomers Witton Albion went down to promoted Broken Cross.

There were wins too for Witton Chimes A, who rallied from 3-2 down at Iron Bridge A, and Barn Owl B for whom Gary McPhillips prevailed in a decider against Lion A.

In Division Three, Michael Yoxall cued an 8-ball break for Iron Bridge as they started with a success at Witton Chimes B.

Greenbank B whitewashed Winnington Rec, while Green Dragon B restricted Slow & Easy A to a single frame.

Meanwhile Wheatsheaf, conquerors of Blue Barrel, and Green Dragon A – who won five frames in a row against Slow & Easy B – also celebrated a victorious first round.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week One

Wednesday, September 19

Division One: Castle C 4-3 Castle A; Castle D 6-1 Rudheath; Gladstone C 7-0 Gladstone B; Owley Wood B 4-3 Gladstone E. No game: Castle B

Division Two: Barn Owl B 4-3 Lion A; Gladstone D 3-4 Greenbank A; Greenbank C 4-3 Owley Wood A; Iron Bridge A 3-4 Witton Chimes A; Witton Albion 2-5 Broken Cross

Division Three: Green Dragon A 5-2 Slow & Easy B; Greenbank B 7-0 Winnington Rec; Slow & Easy A 1-6 Green Dragon B; Wheatsheaf 5-2 Blue Barrel; Witton Chimes B 2-5 Iron Bridge H

Fixtures

Northwich and District Pool League

Week Two

Wednesday, September 26

Division One: Castle B v Owley Wood B; Gladstone B v Castle D; Gladstone E v Gladstone C; Rudheath v Castle C. No game: Castle A

Division Two: Broken Cross v Iron Bridge A; Greenbank A v Greenbank C; Lion A v Gladstone D; Owley Wood A v Witton Albion; Witton Chimes A v Barn Owl B

Division Three: Blue Barrel v Greenbank B; Green Dragon B v Witton Chimes B; Iron Bridge H v Green Dragon A; Slow & Easy B v Wheatsheaf; Winnington Rec v Slow & Easy A

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington