Wellington Billiard Hall C returned to the top of the Second Division of the Telford Snooker League (sponsored by Golden Purse Jewelers) in style with an emphatic 4-1 win over their archrivals Little Dawley B.

The Wellington side, champions of Division 3 last term, now head Little Dawley by a single point after they came from behind to secure their eighth win of the campaign.

However it was the Little Dawley team, runners up in last year's third division title race, who took the lead when Ian Eldridge fought his way back from 29 points behind to take the first frame on the pink against Steve Minshall with a 22 clearance.

The home side didn't have to wait long to draw level though as some excellent long potting from captain John Rawlins put paid to Byron Mitchell's hopes of extending the visitor's lead.

Man of the match Dave Cartledge was in tremendous form to give the Billiard Hall the lead as he finished off with a superb 35 break, only narrowly missing out on the divisions highest break so far when the cue ball landed too close to the final black. Nonetheless his victory over Lee Elcock turned the tide the Billiard Hall's way and they never looked back as Mick Birch threw caution to the wind with some wild pots which paid off dramatically to secure the next frame 53-35 against Brendan Wincott.

Although young Darren Wincott bravely stuck to his task with some excellent safety play he was unable to prevent Matty Locklin completing a 4-1 win for the Wellington side as he took the frame with a superb 22 clearance to lift the Billiard Hall into top spot.

The Billiard Hall's E team didn't fare quite as well though as they dropped to third in the table after a 3-2 reverse at the hands of Maddocks C.

Graham Hoof gave the Oakengates side just the start they wanted with a 59-31 opening frame success over Warren Barber but their lead was short-lived as Alan Turner continued his remarkable run with his twelfth win of the season against Dave Thomas.

The Oakengates side were soon in front again though as Chris Rowley took the next on the black against Chris Morris and then Joe Oliver won a close fourth frame 44-31 against Ray Evans for a 3-1 lead.

Nigel Stallard made certain the Billiard Hall remain in touch with the leaders though with a 45-33 final frame win over Billy Rushton to leave the Wellington side level on points with Little Dawley B, just a point off the lead.

Minnesota Fats may also be in with a good shout for promotion to the top flight as they currently lie fourth on 38 points, just three behind the leaders, with the result of last week's match still to come in.

Coddon B are now six points adrift following a 3-2 win away at Bayley C.

Despite taking the first frame through Andy Jones the Donnington side then fell behind as the home side took the next two in quick succession. First Craig Whitehead drew the Bayley level with a 24 break on the way to victory over Mark Wall before Craig Johnson produced a fine display to defeat Nick Pearce 62-48.

Fortunately for the visitors the Bayley had no more players named Craig in their side and despite having the right initial Chris Haycox was unable to continue the trend against Jason Yates and with Phil Szklarzewicz in dazzling form against Pete Woodcock the visitors left happy with their eleventh win safely in the bag.

The derby game at Shfinal saw the War Memorial Club's E side enjoy a 4-1 win over their D side who had Steve Morse to thank for preventing the whitewash with a last gasp win over Jeff Sparkes by 57 points to 43.

Aaron Sparkes had earlier given the E string he perfect start by defeating Mick Guest 61-21. Rob Wright followed up with victory over Geoff French in the next and further wins from Chris Petford and Fred Harper over Arthur Aston and Barry Easthope respectively ensured a 4-1 win for the "home" side.

Anstice B looked to be in command against Pot Black A when wins from Nigel Wallcroft and George Hammond, the latter with a 23 break, gave them an early 2-0 lead.

However Mike Thompson's 55-44 win over Danny Weaver reduced the deficit allowing Toby Welsh the opportunity to level matters which he duly did with a 51-41 defeat of Steve Smallwood.

However the home side's comeback came to an abrupt halt as John Darrock took the decider 50-42 in a close finish to give the Madeley side their sixth win.

DIVISION 1

Hills Lane A extended their lead over Billiard Hall A at the top of the first division thanks to a 4-1 win away at Anstice A.

However this proved to be no easy match for the reigning champions who took the lead through Matt Bailey's 60-28 opening frame success against Mick Cahill.

Shaun Harris then made it 2-0 as, for the second week running, he won through on a re-spotted black following an excellent encounter wit Neil Price which included a run of 42 by the Hills Lane man.

Keith Price pulled a frame back with a black ball win over Tim Hicks in the next only for captain Darren Pountney to restore the visitor's two frame lead by taking frame four 58-48 from Mick Reynolds.

And with Ian Duffy clinching the last frame of the evening 64-39 against Nick Oakley the reigning champions look well placed to take the title for a third time in as many years.

Their closest rivals, Wellington Billiard Hall A, slipped further behind in the title race as they dropped two valuable points at home to Broseley A.

Paul Harper once again led the way with an opening frame win over Paul Humphries only for Mick Brezwyn to level matters with victory over Nigel Fletcher.

Morton Hughes then accounted for John Shepherd to put the home side back in front but parity was restored once more as Richie Hulme came from behind to defeat Spencer Rowley on the black to set up the decider.

However any hopes the Broseley players had of a famous victory were soon dismissed as Graham Darrall calmly claimed frame five to complete the Billiard Hall's eleventh win in thirteen outings.

Coddon A stay third following a 3-2 win at home to a Bayley A side in danger of suffering a nose bleed as they currently occupy the dizzy heights of fifth spot after two previous 5-0 wins.

Terry Brenthall's safety play paved the way to a 62-45 win over Chris Morgan Adams to give the Donnington side the lead and things looked bleak for the visitors when super sub Robin Clarke lost his unbeaten record this season as Ian Ferriday strolled to victory with a 45 break to make it 2-0.

Steve Nicholl's 31 break helped to reduce the deficit as he took frame three from Gareth Chapman only for Dave Lloyd to respond with a 35 break on the way to a fourth frame win over Arthur Burrows.

However with Steve Fletcher taking the final frame against Darren Weston, the home side had to settle for three well earned points which keep them ahead of Maddocks A who fell to defeat at Little Dawley A although no match card is available yet.

Shifnal F's dismal start to the new year continued when they fell to their third consecutive 5-0 defeat, this time to their own club's A side.

The "home" side extended no mercy as John Fallows drew first blood against Wally Harper. Wally was at one stage trailing by some 28 points but fought back to actually take a six point lead on the last red only for John to have the final word on the pink for a winning margin of 66 points to 53.

Simon Biddulph then had no hesitation in putting his side 2-0 up as he overcame Ivor Peplow before a 34 break by Linsay Knox helped him to a 39 lead on the yellow as he overcame his opposite number Brian Painter to make it 3-0.

Probably the most entertaining frame was that involving A team skipper Andy Easthope and Nev Whitehead. Both players potted well and although Nev added a 23 break a bad miss on the green gave Andy the fillip he needed to clear up and take the frame 63-43.

Roy Martin then put the icing on the cake with a win over the recently crumbling Dave "The Rock" Peplow. Roy's 64-30 triumph condemned the F team to the foot of the table as they fight for their first division survival.

DIVISION 3

Wellington Billiard Hall X continue to march inexorably towards the second division and they now lead the chasing pack by seven points following a 4 -1 win away at Newport British Legion B.

J Powell put them in front and further wins from A Ali and M Surfraz put the third division leaders well in control.

Colin Farge did manage to claim some respite with a 67-15 success over M Khan but with M Shadab taking the final frame of the evening against Keith Gardner the Wellington side were able to increase their lead over second placed Pot Black A who dropped two points from their visit to Hills Lane B.

However, after losing both the opening two frames, the Oakengates side will have been well pleased to have turned the tables by taking all three of the remaining frames.

Steve Powell put the Madeley side in front with a 50-30 win over Mick Pearson and things looked decidedly rocky for the Pot Black team when home captain Kev Davis got the better of Rob Palin to make it 2-0.

However Mick Egan struck back for the visitors with victory over M Davis and a narrow 52-42 win for Kirk Stephenson against Steve Weaver levelled matters enabling Neil Pearson to complete a brave fightback with a fine 68-34 win over Lee Harris.

The Oakengates side now have a four point lead over third placed W.B.H. F whose result this week is not yet in.

Little Dawley C celebrated only their third win this season in some style as they overcame Wellington Billiard Hall B by five frames to nil.

Russ France gave them the perfect start with a 64-25 win over Ken Francis and Mike King followed suit claim the next frame too from G Hughes.

Craig Walton then made it 3-0 before home captain Steve Farrington got the better of Ian Atkinson to further emphasis his team's dominance.

Paul Spencer then weighed in with a 20 break to defeat R France as the home side completed a memorable win in what is their first season in the Telford League.

The Little Dawley club's G side didn't fare quite as well, although they still came out on top when they entertained Maddocks D.

Colin Smith gave the Oakengates side the lead but that was wiped out by Graham Copson's defeat of Alan Bould, which included a 35 break.

Ken Davies put Maddocks back in front again only for the home side to take the last two frames through M Rhoades and Paul Perks for a 3-2 win.

STEVE FLETCHER    

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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