LOWLY Carlton Husthwaite may claim that they entered the Ryedale League for support purposes, but it was their opponents who needed support in their Eric Wren Trophy, writes Robert Ledger.

After devastating neighbours Carlton Husthwaite Village Hall, Norton Railway were their target in the final.

The aggregate was drawn, but great individual performances by the "league supporters" won the day.

Ian Rudd (25 break) beat stalwart Martin Ellis 210-158, while Brian Rudd potted a red with five seconds to spare to beat Ray Clifford 201-198.

Peter Wise (25 break) beat Darren Clifford (31 break) 196-171 in a high-scoring match, and Mervyn Duffield overcame the popular Dave Lamb 187-171.

Railway's Noel Hood fired in an amazing 123 points against Tony Fox for a 233-145 victory.

Finally, the battle of two experienced players saw George Wentworth prevail over Geoff Wise 188-180.

Carlton Husthwaite, who sit at the foot of the league table with only one win in eight fixtures, therefore lifted the trophy.

Meanwhile, the James Dodsworth Four-a-side competition held fewer surprises, with Harome 'B' beating Harome 'C' 4-0 in the final.

The semi-finals had seen some eye-catching results, with Charlie Marwood being victorious over Ian Marwood by only two points, while Chas Pickard beat Dave Greenlay 202-138.

Greenlay, meanwhile, recorded the highest billiards break so far this season - a remarkable 95, to lead Jonathan Marwood (72) in the highest break standings.

Marwood is now ranked at number 29 in the world.

l IN the Ryedale Snooker League, Carlton Husthwaite 'B' seem to be trying their best to give the title away given their recent results.

Wass, surprisingly, are languishing at the bottom of the standings at the turn of the year, even though the highest break this term - Dave Greenlay's 46 - beats Wass senior cueist John Howard by only one point on 45.