Silktown A remain top of the International Rules A league with a flattering 8-3 win over SSSC A who are still in search of their first win this season. It was in the balance at 3-3, but Silktown A pushed on and won every frame in the second half, kick started with first appearance and win from Captain Mike Tomlinson.

Weaver B narrowed the gap on the leaders with an 8-3 win of their own over SSSC F, plus an 8 ball clearance from Adam Downing earning them an all-important bonus point to reduce the gap to 4.

In the International rules B league Nags Head A remain the only unbeaten team, with a narrow 6-5 victory over Silktown B despite an 8 ball clearance from Rick Aimson for the visitors.

The outstanding performance in the Macc rules league this week came from Lee Smith of Ivy Leaf A, leading the team to a 4-3 victory over Queens A, with 8 ball clearances in the opening singles and second doubles. Crucially his bonus 2 points put the Ivy Leaf A level at the top of the league.

Joint leaders Flower Pot B suffered their first defeat of the campaign losing 4-3 to Pack Horse A, who themselves are only 2 points behind; still unbeaten but without any bonus points.

This week sees a break in the International Rules league fixtures, to make way for the first round of group matches in the inaugural International Rules Super Cup. The World Cup style tournament has drawn all 24 International Rules teams randomly into groups of 4, where they will play each other once with the 6 group winners and 2 best placed runners-up qualifying for the knockout stage.

This open draw has provided for some fascinating ties, where the home advantage could make all the difference and be a leveller for teams from the lower leagues. Brewers Arms A will surely be hoping that is the case in Group C with the other 3 teams all from the A league, but they play both SSSC F and Weaver C with a home advantage.

Crucial first week matches could well be decisive for who makes to the knockout stage from Groups D and F, with clashes between A league rivals SSSC E against Weaver B and Silktown Snooker A versus Flower Pot A C/Rd.

Silktown A demonstrated again why they are International Rules A league champions two season running with a convincing 8-3 away win over Weaver C. Not to be out done by his team mate Adam last week, this week it was Ashley Roberts who made 8 ball clearances in 2 out of 2 frames. The second of which was particularly impressive given the split after the break – well worth seeking the video out on The Weaver’s YouTube channel. Eddie Williams responded with an 8 ball clearance of his own to give Weaver C some hope at 5-2, but the come-back was not to be as wins from Andrew McKie, Adam Stevens and Ashley Robert’s 2nd 8 ball closed the match out.

Weaver B also continued their unbeaten start to the season, the only other team in the A league to do so, beating the Flower Pot A 8-3 in the local “Congleton Road derby”.  Perhaps telling is that if it weren’t for the bonus 8 ball points, Weaver B would be tied at the top of league – suggesting once again the bonus points will play a key factor in the final league tables.

The standout performance from the Macclesfield rules leagues had to be Flower Pot B’s 6-1 away over Three Crowns, themselves in fine form after a 7-0 victory over Nags Head A in the previous week. Most notably were the three back-to-back 8 ball clearances, first from Rob Oliver, then Captain Dave Leishman and finally Adam Jones. This secured them 3 bonus points and puts them 5 points clear at the top, continuing a perfect start to their first season in the A league.

The swiftness of the victory also gives them claim to the fastest match in league history, allegedly finishing at 9.20pm. Although this can’t be verified, it certainly puts paid to the claims that Macc rules matches go on all night! Although the histories do tell a many a match finishing well past midnight in years gone by, so perhaps more a sign of the times and overall improvement ability and playing conditions than rules themselves.

Some tasty fixtures this week, especially in the Macc rules A league, with early leaders Flower Pot B taking on Pack Horse A who are also unbeaten in their opening 2 matches. The only other unbeaten team in the league, Ivy Leaf B, take on defending champions Queens B with the home advantage – already some crucial ties early in the season.