Alan Munn's final frame victory for Newport British Legion B completed a remarkable comeback for the third division side as they came from two frames down to defeat Maddocks B for only their second win of the Telford Snooker League's (sponsored by Golden Purse Jewelers) Jubilee season

Things looked bleak early on for the Newport side when they lost the opening two frames as first veteran Les Hicks beat Alan Davies and then John Archer took the notable scalp of Colin Farge.

But Newport, currently bottom of the third division, were not beaten by a long chalk as Keith Gardner sparked a revival by taking the third frame 40-31 against Graham Tudor.

Mike Doverskog continued the fight back as he levelled the match at two frames all with a 56-31 defeat of Tony O'Neil leaving Alan Munn to take the honours with a battling 60 points to 40 win over G Arnold in the deciding frame.

However despite their fine victory Newport still lie at the foot of the table, one place behind Wellington Billiard Hall B who fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to Hills Lane B.

Steve Powell's opening frame success against Alan Francis set the scene for his side's eleventh win of the campaign and things continued to go the Madeley side's way when Lee Harris rattled in a 27 break on the way to a 64-32 win over Ken Francis.

Andy Kendrick replied for the home side with a 57-28 triumph over visiting captain Kev Davis but the visitors took the final two frames through A Morris and Richie Jones to run out comfortable winners and retain third place, some six points behind Pot Black D.

The Oakengates side suffered a shock defeat at home to Bayley B who can be well pleased with their performance in capturing three of the five points on offer.

With Pot Black currently heading the race for runners up spot, Neil Pearson's win over Robin Sturmey seemed just the tonic they were looking for but the Bayley then roared into life as Dave Weston defeated Harry Jones on the black and then Kevin Ryan beat Mick Egan 70-35 to put the visitors ahead.

Mick Pearson soon levelled the match once more though as he accounted for Bayley captain Bob Tracy before the recalled Dickie Beddall took the crucial final frame 56-46 to leave the Wellington side triumphant by three frames to two.

Wellington Billiard Hall F stay in the hunt for a possible late run in for second place thanks to a 3-2 away win at Little Dawley C.

Mike King gave the league's new boys from Little Dawley the lead before Chris Fletcher and Rob Cook accounted for Steve Farrington and Russ France respectively to put the Billiard Hall in front.

Craig Walton won a close fourth frame against Richard Tranter by ten points to level thing up again before Steve Weatherall secured Wellington's twelfth win with a 61-28 win over Craig Newey.

With just three games left, the battle in this division is now surely only for second place as the Billiard Hall's X team now have a five point lead over Pot Black D at the top of the table, with the result from this week's games still to come in.

DIVISION 1

There's no change at the top again as Division 1 leaders Hills Lane A and second placed Billiard Hall A both won 4-1 against Bayley A and Coddon A respectiveley.

The reigning champions had a comfortable night against fourth placed Bayley A as they cruised to a 4-1 win with only Steve Nicholls providing any resistance for the Bayley.

Matt Bailey set the ball rolling as he came from 20 behind to take the opening frame against Arthur Burrows. Darren Pountney then doubled the home side's lead when he took on Bob Mason before the visitors pulled a frame back through Steve Nicholl's solid display against Tim Hicks.

Any hopes of the comeback continuing were soon dashed when Shaun Harris notched a 47 break to take the next against Steve Fletcher and although Chris Morgan-Adams put up a brave fight in the last there was nothing he could do to prevent Ian Duffy putting the seal on a 4-1 win for the reigning league champions.

Their lead over Wellington Billiard Hall A remains six points as the Wellington boys also returned from their game at Coddon A with a 4-1 win.

Phil Whitby's black ball win over Dave Lloyd swung the balance the Billiard Hall's way and although Lee Szklarzewicz took the next after a 47 break, also on the black, against Daryl Grainger, the visitors took all three remaining frames.

Spencer Rowley got the better of Ian Ferriday and Paul Harper beat Darren Weston as the Billiard Hall went 3-1 ahead before Graham Darrell put the icing on the cake with a final frame win over Adrian Smith.

At the other end of the table, Shifnal F will be well pleased with their 3-2 win home over Broseley but the late burst may just be too late to avoid relegation.

Wally Harper battled it out with Richie Hulme in a first frame which swung from side to side. Although trailing by 8 points on the colours Wally laid some brilliant snookers to leave himself just requiring the pink. However it wasn't to be as Richie kept his nerve to sink a brilliant pink and black to win 65-63.

Chris Painter then levelled matters when, with the help of a 22 break, he forged in front against John Shepherd before finally clinching the frame for Shifnal.

An excellent display from League President Nev Whitehead saw him overcome Carl Walker to put the Islanders in front before skipper Brian Painter secured the match for his side with a superb black ball win over Mick Brezwyn. Brian is at his most dangerous when he is behind and last week was no exception as he turned a ten point deficit on the blue into a 55-41 win by brilliantly taking the last three colours in succession.

Simon McLeod then gave his side the last point when he overcame the indomitable "Rock" Dave Peplow thanks largely to a 30 break which gave him the early advantage.

However Dave retaliated with a run of 32 of his own which was ultimately to prove in vain as Simon eventually took the frame 65-41.

DIVISION 2

Minnesota Fats now lead the way in Division 2 after a 4-1 win over Shifnal E leaves them two points ahead of their closest rivals, Little Dawley B who won 5-0 at home to Pot Black A.

The leaders had to come from behind though after Aaron Sparkes had given the Shifnal side the lead with a brilliant 54-40 win over Paul Smith.

S Collins redressed the balance with a 61-33 success over Rob Wright and further wins from J Wright and K Blackham put the home side firmly in control.

Paul Devey's 54-36 last frame win over Fred Harper sealed Shifnal's fate as Minnesota secured a two point lead over Little Dawley B who closed the gap slightly after whitewashing Oakengates team Pot Black A. But they didn't have things all their own way as Tom Firmstone had victory snatched away from him as Byron Mitchell cleared the last four balls for a 59-55 win to deny the Oakengates man who had earlier notched a 20 break of his own.

Ian Eldridge then weighed in with a 21 break as he beat Dave Welsh before Lee Elcock made it 3-0.

Darren Wincott's 23 break accounted for Neil Robinson in the next before a 51-26 win for Rob Withington saw him fend off the challenge of Chris Hall to leave the home side with all five points.

Although no match card is available for Billiard Hall C's game with Coddon C, their 3-2 win leaves them in third spot some 8 points behind the leaders with Coddon B a further three points back in fourth place after they suffered a 4-1 reverse at the hands of Anstice B.

Nigel Wallcroft gave the Madeley side the perfect start with a 61-41 win over Mark Wall and John Darrock continued the trend in the next as he beat Andy Jones 49-37.

Steve Downes looked as though he might stop the rot for Coddon as he compiled a 33 break in the next only for George Hammond to stand firm and clinch the frame on the final black to put the Anstice three up.

Three soon became four as Stewart Wimbush beat Nick Pearce 60-44 before Phil Szklarzewicz saved the day for the visitors with a final frame win over Danny Weaver.

Billy Rushton was Maddocks C's hero as he took the deciding frame of their match at Shifnal D with a 50-37 win over Barry Easthope.

Jimmy Hill had earlier leveled the match at two frames all after Shifnal had led 2-1 with wins from Geoff French and Arthur Aston.

Sandwiched in between those two wins for Shifnal, D Thomas recorded Maddocks first point with a 61-49 win over Mick Guest.

Bottom of the table Bayley C looked to build on their excellent win last week, but never looked like offering much resistance against an in-form WBH E outfit.

Alan Turner opened up with a comfortable win over Craig Whitehead, helped by two runs of 27 and 21 and Chris Morris then quickly made it 2-0, as he disposed of Pete Woodcock 53-13.

Mick Healey showed some grit and determination for the bottom side, with a well deserved win over Mick Hughes, sinking a bold pink to win the frame 54-44.

Ray Evans then returned the compliment by coming back from an early deficit to beat Craig Johnson to make the score 3-1 to the visitors.

Nigel Stallard did not let the late arrival of his opponent, Bayley skipper Ian Johnson, deter him from securing the final frame with a positive run through the colours to make the final score 4-1 to the Billiard Hall.

Bayley now only have 3 matches left in which to ensure 2nd Division snooker stays at the Wellington club for next season.

STEVE FLETCHER    

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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