Ivybridge A are still clinging on to top spot in the Totnes and District Snooker League despite enjoying their week off.

Dartmouth would have been hoping to be top of the tree at Christmas, but a late request for a postponement by their opponents Totnes B denied them the opportunity.

Third-placed Ivybridge B therefore had the chance to leapfrog both teams and take pole position heading into 2018 as they hosted mid-table Woodlands.

A fantastic, high-quality match ensued, with no fewer than four recorded breaks being made as the two sides traded blows in search of the final points of the year.

Mark Hembry fired Ivy into the lead with a composed break of 38, and when skipper Mark Colmer knocked in a 35 in the next frame, a 2-0 lead looked on the cards.

However, Steve Cairns has been in scintillating form for Woodlands lately and a great fightback put the scores level. Mark Tomlinson put Ivy back in front by taking the third, before a fine break of 41 from Cairns levelled the scores once more.

Colmer then held his nerve to pinch the fifth frame for Ivy before a superb break of 50 from Tomlinson took the final frame to give Ivy the match 4-2. The result leaves Ivy in second spot, one point behind their clubmates.

Regal finished their year in fine style with a 6-0 thumping of fellow Kingsbridge side Mill B and leaves the title outsiders within a win of the leaders. Steve Pound showed his superiority, racking up 160 points in his two frames with some consistent heavy scoring. Skipper John Wood and Hamish MacLachlan produced solid displays to earn their two frames as Regal exerted their authority over their closest rivals.

The final tie of the round saw Modbury host Halwell B in what turned out to be an entertaining draw.

As expected, Modbury skipper Mike Collins calmly potted his way to another two wins, his second frame including a nice break of 33. Dan Wills had earlier put Modbury 2-0 up as the hosts looked to claim their first win of the season.

Dennys Treeby had pulled one back for Halwell before they went 3-1 behind, but skipper Colin Finch brought them back to 3-2 and with it the chance of a much-needed draw.

Paul Gilbey, who has been drafted in this season, stepped up to the mark and duly delivered to give Halwell a vital boost in their battle for division one survival.

Totnes finished 2017 the way they had started the season, with another demolition of their opponents. This time it was Diptford, who went down 6-0, as have many before them.

Skipper Jamie Palmer was ably supported by brothers Nathan and Howard Finch, who all comfortably took their frames to move into an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table.

Halwell C remain the favourites to claim the runner up prize as they beat clubmates Halwell G 4-2. Two wins each on the night for Jonny Harris and Kevin Wreyford were enough to secure the win.

Geoff Holt and Barrie Taylor had earlier levelled the match for G at 2-2, but yet another defeat for G loomed in what has so far been a disappointing campaign.

Mill C look to be the only real challengers to Hawell C for second spot, but they lost further ground as they were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Halwell K.

Halwell had raced into an unexpected 3-1 lead thanks to a win each from Andy Dix, Martin Reeve and captain Chris Reeve, but George Banfield pulled one back to keep it interesting.

Two wins on the night, though, from Mill captain Rob Vaughan came at crucial times to secure a hard-fought draw and keep Mill in the hunt at the right end of the table.