Former English Amateur Champion Matthew Davies ended the Telford Snooker League season in some style with a stunning 104 break as Shifnal A entertained League Champions Hills Lane A in the final game of the season last week.

And the break was all the more remarkable as it came with Matthew's first visit to the table after his opponent Shaun Harris had broke off leaving a difficult long red which Matthew duly dispatched to a corner pocket before continuing towards the magical hundred mark.

Matthew, using a new tip which mushroomed over the end of his cue, looked all set to clear the table for a League record 139 but found himself with a difficult cut back with the final red close to the side cushion.

Despite a valiant effort, the red hung tantalizingly in the jaws of the pocket leaving Matthew content with the fact that his efforts had earned him the highest break prize, eclipsing Paul Harper's run of 98 scored earlier in the season.

Visiting captain Ian Duffy had earlier given the newly crowned League Champions the lead against Linsay Knox before Matthew became only the second player this season to defeat Shaun Harris in a League match.

Andy Easthope then put the home side in front with a 69-28 defeat of Matt Bailey before Keith Price got the better of former team mate Darren Pountney by scoring all but one of his points in two visits to the table as breaks of 45 and 49 completed a 95-23 success for the Hills Lane man.

Richard Wade then made sure the visitors completed the season with just three defeats in 20 games as he held off a brave fightback from Simon Biddulph who rallied from 40 points down only to lose out on the last black as Richard completed a 3-2 win for the Madeley side who finish the season ten points clear of their closest rivals Wellington Billiard Hall A who ended their campaign with a 3-2 win over Coddon A.

Daryl Grainger took the opening frame 61-34 against Ian Ferriday before Paul Harper secured the most wins trophy as he maintained his hundred percent record with a 69-16 win over his opponent in the forthcoming Individual Final, Lee Szklarzewicz.

Adrian Smith replied for the visitors by taking the next frame from Morton Hughes before Phil Whitby restored the home side's two frame advantage with a fine 65-18 win over Darren Weston.

And although Spencer Rowley weighed in with a 35 break in the final frame, it wasn't enough to prevent Terry Brenthall from snatching a last gasp victory on the very last black to leave the final score 3-2 to the Wellington side.

Despite their defeat though, the Coddon side can be well pleased with a fine season in which they have finished in fourth place in the table, four points behind their opponents next week in the Knockout Final, Shifnal A who finished third.

Bayley A started the day requiring one point to make certain of first division snooker next year as they entertained Maddocks A and they got the start they wanted as Steve Fletcher took the opening frame with a 61 break against Leigh France.

Phil Davies replied for the visitors with a well taken 43 break to defeat Bob Mason and then Ian Skelton raced into a commanding lead against Steve Nicholls only for the Bayley player to fight back with some excellent snookers.

The Maddocks man negotiated all but one of his escapes successfully though before eventually running out the winner by 59 points to 37 to put the visitors 2-1 up.

Arthur Burrows then put in one of his best displays of the season before eventually going down 63-50 on the final black as an excellent 25 clearance under pressure secured the fourth frame for Adrian Barraclough and only Chris Morgan-Adam's final frame win over Dave France kept the scoreline respectable as the home side fell to their thirteenth defeat of the season.

Snooker may generally be considered a young man's game, but with an average age of 61 Shifnal F continue to roll back the years as they also maintained their first division status for another year with a moral boosting 3-2 win at Hills Lane B.

Wally Harper put them in front as he took an early 60 point lead only for Steve Powell to fight back with a 23 break and although the home player only need one snooker with just the last two colours remaining Wally bided his time before securing the frame by 73 points to 50.

Shifnal captain Brian Painter then made it 2-0 as he took the next frame by the narrowest of margins against Steve Weaver who fought his way back from 24 points down on the yellow to force the game to the final black only to lose out in the end by just a single point as Brian potted a superb black to clinch the frame 48-47.

Lee Harris proved unlucky in his attempt to turn the tide as he potted a splendid pink before going in off the final black to give Fred Harper the frame by 49 points to 36 as the Memorial men stretched their lead to three frames to nil.

The omens didn't look good for Shifnal in the next frame however as League President Nev Whitehead arrived to find that he had left his cue at home and after borrowing a team mate's cue he found Richie Jones in good form as the Hills Lane man raced to a 61-19 victory to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

The home side took the last frame too as the usually reliable Dave Peplow had no answer to Paul Eyke's potting skills although despite valiant efforts to obtain the one snooker he required on the pink the Shifnal man finally went down by 52 points to 30 although he still has the consolation of knowing that his grandson still thinks he is the best snooker player in the world.

DIVISION 2

Match of the day in Division 2 saw second placed Little Dawley A travel to Wellington to play the Billiard Hall's E team who started the day just a point behind in third spot.

However with the home side having won fewer matches than their opponents, they had to win by a score of four frames to one if they were to leapfrog above Little Dawley into second place.

Home captain Alan Turner was all set to keep a clear head as he had decided not to have a drink until after the match as he was due to play Jesse Lowe in what could well prove to be a crucial final frame.

However with his side losing both the opening frames he was able to open the bar early as any hopes the Wellington side had of promotion slipped away once more just as they had the previous season when they also narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight.

Riche Heighway gave Little Dawley just the start they wanted as he took the opening frame 68-42 against Ray Evans.

A black ball win for Rick Cousins all but secured his side's place in Division 1 next term as he recorded a 48-41 success over Mick Hughes to put the visitors two frames up.

2-0 quickly turned to 3-0 as Ray Clements got the better of Chris Morris before Nigel Stallard's 56-46 defeat of Ade Henry pulled a frame back for the home side.

Despite that defeat, Ade still has the consolation of winning the most wins trophy for the second division with seventeen wins out of 22 games played.

And with Alan Turner rounding things off with a stunning brown to get position on the blue off three cushions for a 61-51 victory over Jesse Lowe, the Little Dawley side were left to celebrate probable promotion to Division 1 with their seventeenth win of an excellent season.

Unfortunately, with not all of the season's results yet in the Little Dawley side's promotion cannot yet be mathematically confirmed as Shifnal B, with 20 games played could still theoretically catch them up as they have eight points lass with a maximum ten points still available from their missing results.

The Shifnal side recorded their fifteenth win in twenty games when they returned from Newport British Legion A with an excellent 3-2 win.

Emlyn Watts put them ahead against Colin Farge before a 22 break from Rich Whitehead secured the next frame for them as well against Ivor Hellyar.

The home side rallied as Matt Bothwell got the better of John Jones 57-42 to pull a frame back but the visitors restored their two frame lead thanks to Sean Nolan's triumph over Simon Thornley.

John Mellings' final frame win over Danny Bedworth left the final score 3-2 in favour of the Shifnal boys who could still be in with a shout of that final promotion spot once all their results are in.

Another team whose results are not all in are League Champions Hadley A whose result from their game with Maddocks C has not yet been received - although with the Hadley side nine points ahead of the chasing pack already, their promotion to division 1 has already been confirmed as Champions.

Coddon B's late run for promotion foundered somewhat in the last couple of weeks, but they ended their season on a high note with a 3-2 win over their C team which leaves them in fourth place, seven points behind Little Dawley A.

Phil Szklarzewicz gave the B side the early lead with a 73-34 opening frame victory over Sef Tusel but Steve Lumley soon levelled with a black ball win over Mark Wall to make it one frame each.

Bob Dando put the "away" side back in front with a low scoring 38-25 defeat of Mick Stokes before Steve Downs increased their lead still further by beating Keith Morris 68-42.

That left Chris Ferriday to pull another frame back for the C side with a 54-20 final frame win over Antonio Garmson to leave the B team victorious by the odd frame.

Shifnal E also signed off with a 3-2 win as they played host to Anstice B. The Madeley side were able to relax a little this week as they had successfully put any relegation worries behind them the week before although they did fall behind as Chris Petford gave Shifnal the lead with a 59-14 success over Steve Smallwood.

Pete McCleary hit back for the visitors in some style though to defeat Rob Wright on the final black before Aaron Sparkes put the home side back in front with anther close win, 47-34, over Billy Watson.

Adam Moore replied once more for the visitors as a 30 break against Jeff Sparkes levelled the scores at two frames each only for Dave Barden to clinch victory for the home side by taking the final frame 56-26 against George Shifnal E also signed off with a 3-2 win as they played host to Anstice B. The Madeley side were able to relax a little this week as they had successfully put any relegation worries behind them the week before although they did fall behind as Chris Petford gave Shifnal the lead with a 59-14 success over Steve Smallwood.

Pete McCleary hit back for the visitors in some style though to defeat Rob Wright on the final black before Aaron Sparkes put the home side back in front with anther close win, 47-34, over Billy Watson.

Adam Moore replied once more for the visitors as a 30 break against Jeff Sparkes levelled the scores at two Hammond.

With Pete "Woody" Woodcock jetting off to Benedorm and beyond, Bayley C were forced to change their line up at the last minute for their trip to Pot Black A.

Already relegated, the Wellington side were determined to put up a good show in their last match in Division 2 and were pleased to come away with narrow 3-2 defeat - especially after trailing by two frames early on.

Neil Robinson set the home side on the road to victory with a 76-44 defeat of Mick Heally and Toby Welsh followed with a close 51-42 win over young Craig Johnson to make it 2-0.

Chris Haycox blasted his way to a 62-44 victory over Dave Welsh in the next as the visitors fought back and Jim Lewis warmed up for the final of the John Bethell Trophy with a 58-24 win over Tony Hall to draw the scores all level a two apiece.

However any thoughts the Wellington side had of completing the turn-around were soon dashed as an excellent 69-19 win for Paul Crooks over visiting captain Ian Johnson secured the Oakengates side's eighth win of the season and mid-table respectability.

DIVISION 3

Champions Wellington Billiard Hall C finished off their first season in the Telford Snooker League as they had started with a 5-0 win over Little Dawley E to consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Dave Cartledge set the scene with a 61-23 defeat of G Clement and further wins for John Rawlins and Mick Birch soon followed.

Matthew Locklin had a tough battle in the next against Graham Copson, but finally came out on top by 68 points to 45, for his twentieth win out of 22 to secure the most wins trophy to go along side the highest break prize for the third division which he secured with a break of 53 earlier in the season.

Paul Cartledge then completed the whitewash with a final frame win over Paul Perks to finish off a highly successful first season for the pool players who turned to snooker.

Despite no result arriving from Little Dawley B's match with Wellington Billiard Hall B, the youngsters from Little Dawley are still certain of the runners-up spot although Hadley B were able to close the gap somewhat as they finished off their campaign with a 3-2 away win over Maddocks D.

John Bethell Trophy finalist Ian Eldridge held his nerve to take the opening frame for Maddocks against the experienced Doug Morrey but the visitors hit back quickly as J Hoggins got the better of Alan Bould and then Steve Johnson beat John Archer by 62 points to 40 to put Hadley in front.

Harry Higgins, whose expertise at maintaining the snooker tables at Maddocks is second to none, showed he is no slouch either when it comes to playing the game as he took the next frame from Ray Whitehead to force the decider though alas for Maddocks it was not to be their night as P Lucas stole the show with a 78-26 success over Ant Lovett to ensure that Hadley ended the season winning as many matches as they had lost.

Pot Black D ended the season just a point behind Hadley B in fourth place following an excellent 4-1 win away to Shifnal D.

The Shifnal side had themselves been in good form of late, but they could only muster a single frame as the visitors opened up a two - nil lead thanks to Mick Pearson and Mick Egan who got the better of Mick Guest and Geoff French respectively.

The ever popular Arthur Aston salvaged some pride for the Memorial men as he took the next 45-42 on the black against Rob Palin only for the Oakengates side to real off the last two frames for a 4-1 win.

Kirk Stephenson's 54-37 win over Mick Smith made it 3-1 before Neil Pearson wrapped thing up with a 59-17 final frame win over Barry Easthope.

Missing - one "Happy to Help" lucky mascot who answers to the name of Aubrey - If found please return to Bayley D as the absence of their talisman in recent weeks has certainly had an effect on their league fortunes. This week was no different as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Wellington Billiard Hall F whose captain, Steven Weatherall had announced he would be standing down as captain after the game.

Any thoughts the home side had of a straightforward evening were soon changed when regular player Andy Fletcher phoned to say that he was unavoidably detained due to work commitments in Swansea. Fortunately they still had five players available, although that was soon to change but not before Steve Weatherall had given the home side the lead with on a re-spotted black as Ice Man Bill France melted to a 57-50 defeat.

Distracted by the news that third placed player Chris Durham was feeling ill and would have to leave, Steven asked Bill to play first on the re-spotted black, even though he'd lost the toss, however the mistake was noticed and after Steve sunk the final ball, the Bayley sportingly allowed him to rush off after his victory to find a replacement player.

Coin tossing seemed to be causing several problems as the Bayley captain Steve Lane introduced himself to his opponent Rich Tranter as "Heads" however he soon recovered and was able to cash in on his opponents mistakes to take the frame by 57 points to 35.

This frame was remarkable in that every time Richard made a scoring visit to the table he scored exactly five points, including potting both yellow and green in one visit and then the blue later on.

By this time the Billiard Hall's reserve player, Steven's dad John Weatherall had arrived having been drafted in for only his second game of the season - and he didn't let the side down calling on all his experience to wrap up the third frame 45-34 against Mark Beddall.

Both teams were then left perplexed as Chris Durham returned having apparently made a full recovery - everyone said they would have some of whatever he'd taken!

However Rob Cook didn't need any tonic as he took the next frame 64-32 against an out of tune Brian Aberdeen who is now left to concentrate on his piano playing during the close season.

The final frame of the evening - and possibly of the whole season, judging by the time it finished, went to a black ball showdown. Chris Fletcher potted the black and was asking Dave Williams what he would like to drink only for the white ball to carry all the way around the table and in-off into the pocket to leave Dave victorious by 43 points to 42 but with the Billiard Hall taking the match 3-2.

My thanks go to Shifnal F's Nev Whitehead, Billiard Hall F's Steve Weatherall and Shifnal A's Darren Pountney for their various match reports throughout the season.

STEVE FLETCHER    

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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