The new Tavistock Social Club Snooker league started this week with a local derby game between West Devon A and West Devon B.

An early spirited challenge from the B team's Gilchrist was overcome by Hurford, with Bath and May being brushed aside by Hawke and Kevin Rich to put the A team in a dominant position. A further win for the A team by Heathman over Roger Rich set up the prospect of an A Team whitewash.

With Emptage odds on favourite to overcome B team's John Rich, no one expected Rich to open up a 30 plus lead.

The comeback came, and the comeback went, as Emptage hauled himself back into the game needing only the black ball to win, only to see his white go in off the black to hand a grateful Rich the honours.

Last years champions Conservative A were being entertained by Con C. Con C's Lillicrap managed just three points against a rampant Evans. Carruthers was run close by Con C's Neale, taking the black to win, although Neale could really have clinched it earlier, missing a black ball himself.

Another Con C new player Andrews beat Mills in a scrappy frame, to pull one back for his team. Lacey made short work of Craze to stretch Con A's lead, with Folley coming back from a 20 plus deficit to run out comfortable winner over Ewings.

Conservative A won 4-1 but admitted the score line was a touch flattering, while Conservative C will take heart from a good performance despite missing their key man Bassett.