THE sixteen third round ties in the Carlsberg Tetley Crewe Open League Winter Team Knock-out competition produced eight close encounters decided on the final dominoes pairs game.

The shocks of the round were provided in two of these encounters by Third Division sides Liberal A and Nags Head B both scoring 8-7 victories over First Division opponents Raven A and Bridge C.

In the tie at the Liberal, Raven A took the darts 5- 2 but Liberal dominated the dominoes by a similar

5-2 score-line to level the tie at 7-7.

The match was decided on the final dominoes pairs game eventually won by Tony Brierley and Bill Armstrong to secure an 8- 7 victory for Liberal A. Nags Head B also sprang a surprise at the Bridge.

Bridge C built a 4-3 darts advantage and together with a 3-2 dominoes lead this gave them the early lead by 7- 5, only for the Nags to fight back and register victories in the last three games for Tom Heywood in the dominoes singles, Dave Clarke/Les Tomkinson and Barrie Heywood Jnr/Dave Sumner in the pairs to

finish with an 8-7 aggregate score-line.

In the all premiership clash at South Street Snooker Paul Sheehan hit a 180 maximum for visitors Rockwood A as they took the darts 5-2, with John Ledley hitting a 120 checkout for South Street.

As the dominoes games were shared Rockwood had a 7-6 aggregate lead but South Street continued to fight back and won both dominoes pairs games thanks to Pete Crawford/Brian Bebbington and Phil

Cooper/Dave Bullock to give them an 8-7 aggregate victory.

The other all premiership clash at the Vine saw Mick Hassall hit a 180 maximum for the hosts as they secured a 4-3 darts advantage and together with three dominoes wins they held a 7-3 lead needing only one win from five games for victory.

But opponents Commercial staged a comeback winning the next four to level the match at 7-7 leaving the

final dominoes pairs game to decide the issue.

It eventually went the way of Vine skipper Mel Seaman and Terry Walker to clinch an 8-7 win.

Premiership team Amalgamated B received a scare after thrashing division five visitors Rockwood B 6-1 at darts.

The visitors won the six single dominoes games to take a 7-6 lead but the Mals staged a recover with John and Steve Hassall and Gary Jones/Simon Walley winning the dominoes pairs games for an 8-7

victory.

Pioneers were another Premier side to receive a scare after a 7-0 darts whitewash of division five opponents Leisure B, assisted by John Brammeld hitting a 15 darts game including a 180 maximum, John Speed's 15 darter and captain Pete Boughey winning in 18.

The Leisure won the six dominoes singles matches to reduce the aggregate score to 7-6 but the Pies were saved from any further embarrassment when Karl Bennett and Steve Marsh won the dominoes pairs game for an 8-6 win.

Division One teams Kings Arms A and Polish C fought out another cliff hanger as Ron and Bob Louth won the final dominoes game to give Polish C an 8-7 win.

The Woodside and Broughton Arms match was also decided on the last game as Broughton ran out 8-7 winners.

It was a bad night for the North Ward as Phil Stockton was on the mark with a 17 darter for Flying Lady A as they easily disposed of Ward B 9-4.

North Ward A were also easily beaten at Sydney Arms A, losing the darts 5-2 and dominoes 3-2 when Denise Dixon won the decisive fifth dominoes singles game to seal Sydney's 8-4 aggregate victory.

Premier side Hawk gave Horseshoe a 7-0 darts whitewash and ran out comfortable 9-4 winners while other premiership teams to record easy victories were Delamere (9-2) and Polish A (8-4) against respective opponents Cross Keys B and British Lion B.

Belle Vue (10-3), Bridge A (8-4) and Cross Keys (10-5) all had easy away victories at respective opponents Cumberland, Shavington Club and Ashbank.

The draw for the next round to be played on January 24 is as follows: Liberal A v Bridge A; Amalgamated B v South Street Snooker; Broughton Arms v Delamere Arms; Hawk v Pioneers; Sydney Arms A v Belle Vue; Flying Lady A v Nags Head B, Polish C v Polish A, Vine A v Cross Keys A.

All players are reminded that entries are still being accepted for the darts and dominoes individual and pairs knock-out competition which will be played at the Crosville Club on a Sunday afternoon in January for dominoes and February for the darts.

Anyone who is interested should enter their name on the reverse of the next match report sheet or in writing delivered to the Liberal Club or British Lion.