DEFENDING champions Heworth ‘A’ got off to a bad start in the York Conservative Clubs’ Carlsberg UK Snooker League as they lost to visitors Fulford ‘A’.

Glen Mountain opened up for Fulford with a black ball success and J Husband made it 2-0.

Heworth levelled through Kevin Gall (36 break) – also a black ball victory – and Nick Dyson.

Andy Marshall (31 break) thrashed Neil Wood to move Fulford ahead only for Clive Whyte to level.

Sam Wass sunk pink and black to beat Steve Burdett and earn Fulford a 4-3 triumph.

Fulford ‘B’ are the early frontrunners after three black ball results helped them to overcome a much-changed Heworth ‘B’ 5-2.

Andy Ireland (34 break) and Ian Strickland put Heworth ahead after Bob Smith had given Fulford a head start.

Lewis Willie, Nigel Smith and Jim Rollinson all won on the black and Arthur Pegden made it 5-2 to Heworth, although the result could easily have gone the other way.

Acomb ‘A’ trailed 1-0 to their ‘B’ team after Kevin Ventress won the opening frame.

However, Richard Lillie (21, 22 breaks), Tim Lister (21 break), Nick Marchant and Adrian Barraclough secured the win before Jeff Winter and Chris Nicholson made the scoreline 4-3.

Malton ‘A’ came from behind to defeat Bootham ‘B’ 4-3 but only by way of a walkover as Bootham’s captain was absent with a broken ankle.

Bootham went 3-1 up through Jamie Robinson (29 break), John Wortley and Paul Mahoney, who beat Lee Taylor, against a reply from Roger Ward.

Simon Weatherill (39 break), Dan Pawson and a walkover by Phil Hart completed the turnaround.