2023/24 League Season – Stansted Social Club players dominate to win both the North Essex Snooker League Titles

Both the Three Player Division title and Four Player Division title were still capable of being won by a variety of teams going into the last month of the season, but it was the players from Stansted Social Club that pushed hard in the last couple of matches to secure both league titles for their Club.

In the Three Player Division, Stansted Ex-Newport held off challenges from both defending champions Dunmow Club and Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club to power over the line with a 4-2 win over the Golf Club in their final league match. The high break of the season was 61 by Stuart Turner.

In the Four Player Division, Stansted held off challenges from all the other teams in the last couple of weeks to finish at the top of the league table. The high break of the season was 30 and shared jointly by Steve Burford and Peter Barker.

League winners trophies will be awarded at the AGM in July.

2023/24 League Season – Tournament Semi Finals / Finals Schedule [updated 12.05.24]

To all those players and teams that have made it through to the latter stages of a league tournament…congratulations!

Fixtures for the semi-finals and finals will be added to this page as matches are arranged and the results will be updated as matches are played. All spectators are welcome to attend.

The dress code for semi-finals and finals remains as per the usual atire for league matches.

The start time for all Semi-Finals and Finals is 7.30pm unless detailed otherwise.
As per League Rule 28 – For semi finals and finals, where a referee has been appointed and a start time for the match set, if a team, pair or player are not at the match table ready to start at the set time then a frame shall be conceded from the offending player(s).  If after 15 minutes, play is still not underway, a further frame shall be conceded.  The match shall be conceded 30 minutes after the start time set, regardless of the number of frames outstanding.  The enforcement of this rule is at the discretion of the referee and the non-offending player(s)/Team Captain.

All Semi-Finals to be played in April.

Handicap Doubles
SF1 – Fox & Chapman 1-2 Merritt & Merritt [Thursday 25 April 2024, 7.30pm start at Stansted Social Club]
SF2 – Sewell & Gregson 0-2 Corbishley & Smith [Thursday 25 April 2024, 7.30pm start at Takeley SSC]
Final – Merritt & Merritt v Corbishley & Smith [Tuesday 21 May 2024, 7.30pm start at Whittlesford]

Handicap Singles
SF1 – Steve Toelkemeier 3-0 Stuart Turner [Wednesday 17 April 2024, 7.30pm start at Takeley SSC]
SF2 – Billy Merritt 2-3 Ashley Merritt [Wednesday 17 April 2024, 1pm start at Dunmow Club]
Final – Steve Toelkemeier v Ashley Merritt [Monday 13 May 2024, 7.30pm start at Stansted Social Club]

Scratch Singles
SF1 – Mark Patmore 0-3 Stuart Turner [Tuesday 30 April 2024, 7.30pm start at Takeley SSC]
SF2 – John Manley 3-0 Jamie Sanderson [Whittlesford Social Club]
Final – John Manley v Stuart Turner [Thursday 23 May 2024, 7.30pm start at Takeley SSC]

Scratch Plus Singles
SF1 – Ashley Merritt 1-3 Martin Corbishley [Thursday 18 April 2024, 7.30pm start at Takeley SSC]
SF2 – Daniel Monahan 0-3 Phil Chapman [Thursday 25 April 2024, 7.30pm start at The Dunmow Club]
Final – Martin Corbishley v Phil Chapman [Wednesday 15 May 2024, 7.30pm start at The Dunmow Club]

JD Sweeps League Cup – Last 16 Round [w/c 29 April 2024]

The JD Sweeps League Cup drawsheet for the Last 16 Round is online and all matches are to be played during w/c 29 April 2024.  All matches are to be played on the home team’s usual home league night and must be played during the scheduled league cup week or the team cancelling will forfeit the match.  The Quarter Finals will be played w/c 6 May 2024. 

Please could all home Captains remember to post the match result card on the SWDSL WhatsApp Group.

We would like to thank our new sponsor JD Sweeps.

To view the drawsheet click here.

Quarter Finals Round: Handicap Singles / Handicap Doubles / Scratch Singles / Scratch Plus Singles

The drawsheets for the Last Quarter Finals Round of the Handicap Singles / Handicap Doubles / Scratch Singles and Scratch Plus Singles are now available to view on the league website, and all matches are to be played by Sunday 31 March 2024.

Please could the winner of each match either report the result to the Tournament Secretary Stuart Turner on 07879 463089 or post on the NESL Results/Info WhatsApp Group within 24 hours to enable the tournament drawsheet to be updated for the next round.

It is preferable that the home player(s) will make initial contact with the availability of their own home table giving at least three dates to their opponent(s).  Please remember that it is the responsibility of both players to contact each other to arrange their matches.  

Should you encounter any issues in trying to contact your opponent then please contact Stuart Turner. 

Last 16 Round: Handicap Singles / Handicap Doubles / Scratch Singles / Scratch Plus Singles

The drawsheets for the Last 16 Round of the Handicap Singles / Handicap Doubles / Scratch Singles and Scratch Plus Singles are now available to view on the league website, and all matches are to be played by Sunday 25 February 2024.

Please could the winner of each match either report the result to the Tournament Secretary Stuart Turner on 07879 463089 or post on the NESL Results/Info WhatsApp Group within 24 hours to enable the tournament drawsheet to be updated for the next round.

It is preferable that the home player(s) will make initial contact with the availability of their own home table giving at least three dates to their opponent(s).  Please remember that it is the responsibility of both players to contact each other to arrange their matches.  

Should you encounter any issues in trying to contact your opponent then please contact Stuart Turner. 

Last 32 Round: Scratch Plus Singles

The drawsheet for the Last 32 Round of the Scratch Plus Singles is now available to view on the league website, and all matches are to be played by Sunday 4 February 2024.

Please could the winner of each match either report the result to the Tournament Secretary Stuart Turner on 07879 463089 or post on the NESL Results/Info WhatsApp Group within 24 hours to enable the tournament drawsheet to be updated for the next round.

It is preferable that the home player(s) will make initial contact with the availability of their own home table giving at least three dates to their opponent(s).  Please remember that it is the responsibility of both players to contact each other to arrange their matches.  

Should you encounter any issues in trying to contact your opponent then please contact Stuart Turner. 

2023/24 League Season – Second Half Handicaps

The Handicaps Sub-Committee advise the following handicaps should be used in all league matches and tournaments from 1 January 2024 until the end of the 2023/24 League Season.

Click to view the 2023/24 Second Half Handicap List

Should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact the Fixtures / Results Secretary Aaron Gibson in the first instance.

Last 32 Round: Handicap Singles

The drawsheet for the Last 32 Round of the Handicap Singles is now available to view on the league website and are to be played by Sunday 17 December 2023. 

To view the drawsheet – click here

To view the player contact list – click here

Please could the winner of each match either report the result to the Tournament Secretary Stuart Turner on 07879 463089 or post on the NESL Results/Info WhatsApp Group within 24 hours to enable the tournament drawsheet to be updated for the next round. Following the completion of each round, the next round will be randomly drawn.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our tournament sponsor, Mullucks

It is preferable that the home player(s) will make initial contact with the availability of their own home table giving at least three dates to their opponent(s).  Please remember that it is the responsibility of both players to contact each other to arrange their matches.  

Should you encounter any issues in trying to contact your opponent then please contact Stuart Turner. 

2023/24 League Season – Tournament Entry Form

Captains – Entries are now open for all tournaments for the new season, the Tournament Entry Form can be found below.  Please submit one form per league team.

Tournament Entry Fees – Handicap Singles / Handicap Doubles / Scratch Singles / Scratch Plus Singles : free for the 2023/24 League Season.

Please include a contact number for all players being entered and also ensure that your players have read and understand the Tournament Rules.

The dates for the semi-finals and finals will be confirmed prior to the Quarter Finals round of matches being played.  Please withdraw from the tournament prior to playing your Quarter Finals round if you are not available for these dates.

Deadline for receipt of entries is Sunday 15 October 2023.

Tournament Rules – Click Here To View 

Tournament Entry Form – Click Here To Enter Your Players!

Application of the Miss Rule

Following the vote at the AGM held on 1 August 2023, the members present agreed to implement the following application of the Miss Rule for the 2023/24 League Season with the application to be reviewed again at the 2024 AGM.

The change of the previous application of the Miss Rule was to alleviate the judgement part for the referee as to whether a miss should be called or not based upon the players ability. The previous application was subjective and has caused some issues over the past few seasons.

It is hoped that the new application will ensure that the miss rule can be applied by all referees consistently throughout the league every time a player fails to make contact with a ball on. It previously was not being applied fairly or consistently due to the wide range of players abilities in the league, with both players and referees having a difference of opinion as to whether a snooker is easy or difficult to escape from.

Three Player Division / League Cup / All Tournaments
The full Miss Rule as detailed in the current WPBSA Official Rules of Snooker is to apply with the caveat that there will be a maximum of three miss calls in any given situation and a miss will not be called following a fourth failed escape. Thereafter the normal foul rule applies and the non-offending player has the option to play from where the balls have landed or ask the offending player to play again, thus no advantage should be gained from where the balls finish after the failed fourth attempt.

Four Player Division
A miss shall not be called when a player is snookered and fails to escape, the normal foul rule will apply in this instance. If a player however can see any part of a ball on and fails to make contact, a foul and a miss shall be called. There will be a maximum of three miss calls in any given situation and a miss will not be called following a fourth failed escape. Thereafter the normal foul rule applies and the non-offending player has the option to play from where the balls have landed or ask the offending player to play again, thus no advantage should be gained from where the balls finish after the failed fourth attempt.
A player shall not forfeit the frame for failing to make contact three times with any part of a ball on.

2023/24 League Season – League Officers and Committee Members

Further to the AGM held on Tuesday 1 August 2023, for the 2023/24 League Season, the Committee of the DMC Leisure North Essex Snooker League consists of the following Officers and Committee Members;

League Officers;
Life President – Dan Lewis
Chairman – Peter Saville
League Secretary – Simon Chapman (Whittlesford Social Club)
Treasurer – Peter Saville (Dunmow Club)
Fixtures / Results Secretary – Aaron Gibson (Stansted Club)
Tournament Secretary – Stuart Turner (Dunmow Club)

Committee Members;
Stewart Hart (Saffron Snooker Club)
Peter Barker (Stansted Social Club)
Stephen Burford (Takeley Sports & Social Club)
Phil Chapman (Whittlesford)
Clive Ellett (Widdington)
Richard Livings (Saffron Snooker Club)

It is important that any queries or issues are directed to the correct person. The main day-to-day work is generally undertaken by Simon Chapman, Aaron Gibson,  Stuart Turner and Peter Saville whose roles and responsibilities are as follows;

League Secretary – Simon Chapman 
All matters concerning the general running of the league on a day-to-day basis, any queries concerning league rules and regulations etc.

Fixtures / Results Secretary – Aaron Gibson
Any queries in relation to league fixtures, league match results, player registrations and handicaps, cancellation and/or rearranging of league matches.  Collation of league results and production of league tables.

Tournament Secretary – Stuart Turner
All matters relating to all tournament and competition entries, draw sheets, player contact details and results.

Treasurer / Website Administrator – Peter Saville
Any matters in relation to the finances of the league and the administration/content of the league website and social media accounts.

2023/24 League Season – Please Submit Your Team & Player Registration Form

All Team Captains, it’s that time of year again!

Ahead of the AGM on Tuesday 1 August 2023, the DMC Leisure North Essex Snooker League requires your 2023/24 Team & Player Registration Form to be submitted to us no later than Sunday 16 July 2023.  The online registration form can be completed in a few minutes via the league website or the link below and automatically submits your entry to us.  In order to complete it you will need to have a mobile number and email address for each of the players that you wish to register.  Registered players will also prior to the start of the new season be added to our WhatsApp Group which many members find a useful way to keep up to date with league results and news.

Click here to complete and submit your form now!

Should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact either Peter Saville (Treasurer/Website Administrator) or Simon Chapman (League Secretary) in the first instance, many thanks.

NOTICE : Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 1 August 2023

The Committee of the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden & District Snooker League hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting will be held at Takeley Sports & Social Club on Tuesday 1 August 2023 at 8pm.  All registered league members are invited to attend, and all teams that intend to compete next season should send along at least one representative.  It is a compulsory requirement that a representative of any NEW teams and clubs attend so their application to join the league can be approved by the membership.

Should any member wish to submit an item for the Agenda or propose either an amendment to an existing league rule or propose a new league rule, these must be received by the League Secretary Simon Chapman no later than 28 days prior to the AGM which is Tuesday 4 July 2023.

Please send any items/proposals for the agenda via email to swdsl@live.co.uk and we will confirm receipt.

Many players have openly discussed proposing a change to the current application of the Miss Rule to alleviate the judgement part for the referee as to whether a miss should be called or not based upon the players ability. We would welcome any proposals that you may wish to put forward on this.

Should you wish to discuss any matters prior to them being submitted then please do not hesitate to contact either the League Secretary or any member of the Committee.

2022/23 League Season – Roll of Honour

DMC Leisure North Essex Snooker League
2022/23 League Season – Roll of Honour

3 Player Division  
Champions – Dunmow Club
Runners Up – Stansted
High Break – Stuart Turner (100)

4 Player Division 
Champions – Stansted Ex-Newport
Runners Up – Widdington Warriors
High Break – Mark Patmore (32)

League Cup
Winners – Takeley Chipmunks
Runners Up – BS Golf Club 

Handicap Singles sponsored by Mullucks Wells
Winner – John Wiffen
Runner Up – Stuart Turner
High Break – Stuart Turner (55)

Handicap Doubles
Winner – Peter Barker & David Rose
Runner Up – Alex Way & Nick Johns
High Break – Stuart Turner (40)

Scratch Plus Singles
Winner – Peter Saville
Runner Up – Simon Chapman
High Break – Phil Chapman (41)

Scratch Singles sponsored by Autostore
Winner – Russell Huxter
Runner Up – Andrew Green
High Break – Stuart Turner / Russell Huxter (64)

2022/23 League Season – Tournament Semi Finals / Finals Schedule [updated 23.05.23]

To all those players and teams that have made it through to the latter stages of a league tournament…congratulations!

Fixtures for the semi-finals and finals will be added to this page as matches are arranged and the results will be updated.

The dress code for semi-finals and finals remains as per the usual atire for league matches.

The start time for all Semi-Finals and Finals is 7.30pm unless detailed otherwise.
As per League Rule 28 – For semi finals and finals, where a referee has been appointed and a start time for the match set, if a team, pair or player are not at the match table ready to start at the set time then a frame shall be conceded from the offending player(s).  If after 15 minutes, play is still not underway, a further frame shall be conceded.  The match shall be conceded 30 minutes after the start time set, regardless of the number of frames outstanding.  The enforcement of this rule is at the discretion of the referee and the non-offending player(s)/Team Captain.

League Cup
SF1 – Monday 30 January 2023 at The Dunmow Club, 7.30pm start
Widdington Warriors 1-3 Takeley Chipmunks
Referee/Scorer: Stuart Turner

SF2 – Tuesday 31 January 2023 at Takeley Sports & Social Club, 7.45pm start
BS Golf Club 3-1 Stansted Ex-Newport
Referee/Scorer: Steve Burford/Trevor Parsons

Final – Monday 6 March 2023 at The Dunmow Club, 7.30pm start
BS Golf Club 2-3 Takeley Chipmunks
Referee/Scorer: Stuart Turner

Handicap Doubles
SF1 – Merritt/Merritt 0-2 Barker/Rose
SF2 – Way/Johns 2-1 Spackman/Livings
Final – Barker/Rose 2-1 Way/Johns

Handicap Singles
SF1 – Steve Tolk 0-3 Stuart Turner
SF2 – John Wiffen 3-0 Rob Jones
Final – Stuart Turner 0-3 John Wiffen

Scratch Plus Singles
SF1 – Peter Saville 3-0 Rob Jones
SF2 – Phil Chapman 1-3 Simon Chapman
Final – Peter Saville 3-0 Simon Chapman

Scratch Singles
SF1 – Stuart Turner 1-3 Andrew Green
SF2 – Russell Huxter 3-2 Aaron Gibson
Final – Andrew Green 1-4 Russell Huxter