NEWCOMERS Works Raiders are proving the team to beat in the 2011 A grade interclub snooker roster.

Raiders demolished 2010 premier Exeter Black 3-1, with Barry Glover, Keith Coomber and Alan Armitage taking full advantage of the handicap difference between the Wednesday and Thursday night competitions.

Raiders are one game clear on top of the A grade ladder.

Works Black opened its account, winning 3-1 over RSL Grey, while Works Gold and Flaming Devils played a 2-2 draw.

In A reserve, Works Red, which lost some players to A grade, had a massive 10-2 win over RSL White and went to the top of the ladder.

Defending premier Works Amber, was too strong for Exeter Green, winning 9-3 at the country club.

John Saggers produced the comeback of the round. Down by 45 points with two reds left, Saggers won a tactical battle against Exeter's Greg Reid.

The black, wedged over the top pocket with the green and brown covering, became the deciding factor in a game dogged by controversial foul and miss and push shot incidents.

The close game was between Green and Navy, with Green winning 7-5 to go to second spot on the ladder.

Leading A grade players Keith Coomber, Alan Armitage and Scott Kopriva are yet to lose a frame.

State title

HOBART-BASED player Anthony Adams won the 2011 state open eightball singles title played at the Launceston Workers Club at the weekend.

A field of 28 starters was split into four groups of seven players who played each other twice, with the top four going through to a final 16 knockout format and Anthony defeating fellow Hobart player Marcus Jackson 6-3 in the final.

The next event on the State eightball calendar is the first round of Northern qualifiers for the state open team to be played at the LWC on May 28 and 29.

Entries close on May 25 at www. eightballtasmania.com. au.

For more information, go to the cue sport website, www.nteba.com.au, or call the secretary on 0487171966.