Desperques gets new season off to a flier with 108 break
WITH some clubs installing new, faster cloths over the summer, there is an expectation that the season will see more high breaks as a result of the improved playing conditions – and Martyn Desperques provided an early indication of that being the case.
A brilliant 108 clearance signalled the start of a fresh Premier Division campaign, under the new sponsorship of T&C Roofing.
Desperques’ 60th competitive century capped a 3-0 win against Charlie Browning as La Villette Hotel Gremlins overpowered RAF Reds.
With Adrian Holley also a 3-0 winner, the promoted side faced an 8-0 deficit with Seb Priaulx comfortably taking his first two frames, but La Villette did not have things all their own way.
The Reds’ new addition Graham Peel – back after a season out – inspired a late rally that saw him dominate Darren Hughes and with Steve Le Poidevin getting one back against Priaulx, the Reds can be quite content with just an 8-4 defeat.
Defending champions The Sledgehammers went one better in beating Imperium Strokers with Adam Shorto leading the way.
After a close first, a 43 clearance sealed his 3-0 win against Colin Gilbert, but the Strokers were making early headway as Dave Gilmour’s 32 put him two frames to the good.
John Skillett cleared the colours to peg the Strokers back, after which Glenn Le Prevost and Danny Marquand won five of the remaining frames.
Le Prevost was edged in his last by Mark Gauvain, while Marquand prospered in two black-ball frames against Kelvin Du Feu.
The Hot Butts won the last four frames to earn a battling draw in the Ex-Service clash against the Stunners.
Roscoe Cloarec showed the value of good pre-season practice by piling on 265 points in a 3-0 win that paved half of the Stunners’ 6-2 advantage, with Scott Bradford applying the only response for the Hot Butts.
After Gary Le Noury and Paul Le Sauvage had won their openers, only the latter could get close in one of the frames, as Tristan Ozanne and Jamie Le Cheminant brilliantly fought back.
