Hills Lane A wrapped up their fourth successive Telford Snooker League title in style as they defeated third placed Maddocks A by four frames to one to go nine points in front of their closest rivals Coddon A with just one game remaining.

Matt Bailey set the champions on their way with a 55-24 win over Phil Davis and when Shaun Harris doubled the home side's advantage with a 64-21 success over Darren Wincott, the Madeley side were just two frames away from being certain of retaining their title for yet another season.

And those two frames duly arrived courtesy of Ian Duffy's 72-21 victory over Leigh France and Treasurer Darren Pountney's defeat of League Chairman Dave France which included a break of 32 along the way.

A fine performance from Mark Finucane saved a point for Maddocks as he defeated Tim Hicks in the final frame of the evening - but it did little to dampen the home side's celebrations as they yet again proved themselves to be top of the tree in Telford.

Coddon A have themselves had a fine season - so they will have been disappointed to lose for only the fourth time this season as they entertained Shifnal A.

John Fallows gave the visitors the lead with a black ball finish against Darren Weston and although Zenon Lembicz levelled for the Coddon with a 32 break against Linsay Knox, Shifnal regained the lead when Andy Easthope got the better of Ian Ferriday by 71 points to 52.

And with the visitors only able to field four players it was left to Simon Biddulph to clinch what proved to be the decider with a sparkling display against the in-form Adrian Smith to leave Shifnal victorious by three frames to two.

Despite that defeat, the Donnington side are certain of runners-up spot as they now lie ten points ahead of third placed Maddocks A and eleven in front of Anstice A after the Madeley team won 3-2 at relegated Bayley E.

Neil Price gave them the early lead - but only just, edging out Andy O'Brien in a high scoring frame 66-54 only for Martin Watkins to level with a neatly taken 49 break against Mick Cahill.

The visitors went back in front courtesy of Keith Price's narrow 37-29 win over Steve Hoof but they were pegged back once more as John Squire pipped Phil Reynolds 51-42 to set up the deciding frame between David France and John Jones.

And it was the Madeley man who came out on top to leave the Bayley sadly relegated to Division 2 and the Anstice in fourth spot on 56 points - one more than Broseley A who fell to a rare home defeat as they entertained Wellington Billiard Hall A.

Nigel Fletcher and Ian Eldridge put the visitors in control early on with opening victories over John Shepherd and Richie Hulme respectively and they secured their ninth win of the campaign when Graham Darrall defeated Mick Brezwyn to put the Billiard Hall three up.

However, Broseley have had a highly successful year and were in no mood to surrender any more frames and they replied in style through Carl Walker's 64-39 defeat of Andy Kendrick and Simon McLeod's final frame win over Alan Turner.

With 55 points from 21 games, the Broseley side still have a good chance of finishing third as they are only two points adrift of Maddocks A who currently occupy the bronze medal position.

In their last game Broseley will travel to relegation threatened Bayley A who will need at least a 3-2 win to have any hope of avoiding the drop after their closest rivals Dawley A won 3-2 at Little Dawley A.

Little Dawley A have produced some brilliant performances recently to secure their own first division survival - but this time it was Dawley Social who produced a battling display to open up a two point gap between themselves and Bayley A as they recorded their eighth win of the season.

A close first frame saw Gaz Bradshaw eventually pip Graham Wiley by 57 points to 39 to put Dawley one frame up and with the in-form Mark Jones rattling in runs of 30 and 25 against Richie Heighway in the next the visitors looked to be well in command.

Little Dawley's super-sub Colin Gittus, playing in the absence of Ade Henry, came up against another in-form player in the shape of Rick Bailey - and the Dawley captain duly made it 3-0 to his side with a 27 break along the way.

The home side hit back though with a solid display from Jesse Lowe as he compiled a break of 27 on the way to defeating Chris Woods - and with Rick Cousins taking the final frame 64-22 from Barry Roden the final frames tally ended at 3-2 to Dawley.

Dawley can now only be caught by Bayley A who themselves recorded a shock 3-2 win away at Minnesota Fats.

They fell a frame behind early on though as John Wright took the opening frame against Arthur Burrows.

A tremendous pink from Bobby "Dazzler" Mason drew the visitors level as Bob coolly slotted the pink all the way along the side cushion an into the green pocket to deny Steve Collins by 58 points to 50 before a brilliant 61 break from Keith Blackham put the home side in front again.

Keith looked certain to clear all of the colours too - especially after a superb positional shot off the final black, but he jawed the yellow leaving his break at 61 and his team 2-1 up.

Steve Fletcher's 55-17 victory over Paul Smith restored parity again leaving Chris Morgan-Adams to take the last two balls for a vital 56-43 win over Kev West to leave the Bayley needing three points at least from next weeks' game with Broseley to avoid the drop to Division 2.

DIVISION 2

The second division title race probably won't be over next week though as, with thirteen teams in this division - one more than divisions one and three - they still have another two weeks to go after next week.

Shifnal F continue to lead the way as they now head the table with 71 points from 21 games - a point ahead of Coddon B who have played one game more.

Mick Pearson set about denting Shifnal's hopes of a return to Division 1 as he put Pot Black D ahead with a fine performance against Wally Harper.

However, the home side's hopes didn't remain dented for long as Chris Painter levelled matters with a 60-20 win over Harry Jones and then Nev Whitehead ran out a 61-18 winner against Kirk Stephenson - although the League President was the first to admit to having had a few slices of good fortune as three fluked reds gave him a decisive advantage.

Back came Pot Black though with Neil Pearson knocking in a 25 break to deny Spencer Rowley 58-25 only for the "Rock" Dave Peplow to once again come up trumps against Mick Egan as an unlucky foul on the pink gave Dave just the tonic he needed to take a tight frame 63-43.

Coddon B had Phil Szklarzewicz to thank as he took the deciding frame against B Hussain as the Donnington side also took three frames from their home tie with Wellington Billiard Hall X.

Andy Jones gave Coddon the lead only for A Ali to level for the visitors with a 69-58 win over Steve Downs.

And the Billiard Hall took the lead when M Shadab came out on top against Bob Dando only for Nick Pearce to set up the decider with a 55-20 score line against D Khan.

As a result, Coddon now lie in second place - four points ahead of Shifnal E who have played one game fewer.

Aaron Sparkes set Shifnal on the way to a 3-2 win as he defeated Coddon C's Matt Bothwell in the opening frame.

Chris Petford soon doubled their advantage and Jeff Sparkes continued the trend as he took the next frame too against Ray Whitehead.

However, just as the home side looked to be in full control the wheels fell of with Frazer MacKinnon starting a mini revival for the Coddon by taking the next frame 56-30 from the in-form Rob Wright.

Sef Tusel took the last frame too for the Coddon against Fred Harper to leave Shifnal's promotion hopes in the balance.

Wellington Billiard Hall E are still in with a shout of promotion after a 3-2 win over Anstice B leaves them just a point behind Shfinal E in fourth place.

Ray Evans took a nervy first frame 67-66 against Stewart Wimbush as the home side took the lead - and they went further ahead when John Powell got the better of Steve Smallwood.

Another black ball finish saw John Darrock claw back a frame for the Anstice with a 48-46 win over Chris Morris and the Madeley side were soon back on level terms as Nigel Wallcroft took the next frame against Paul Wilkes.

However, Nigel Stallard held his nerve to claim the deciding frame to secure a 3-2 win for the Billiard Hall boys with a 64-28 win over George Hammond.

Pot Black A also won 3-2 when they entertained Wellington Billiard Hall C, with Mike Thompson winning the final frame 70-41 against Wayne Weeks.

Toby Welsh had earlier given the Oakengates side the lead with a 64-53 win over Dave Blagborough only for visiting captain John Rawlins to level matters with a black ball win over Neil Robinson.

Tom Firmstone's 67-37 victory over Laki Badhan restored the home side's advantage but back came the Billiard Hall with Alex Turnbull claiming frame four 52-21 against Dave Welsh to set up the decider.

Mick Guest's black ball finish not only secured the frame against Geoff Hoof but also gave his Shifnal D side the perfect start as they travelled to play Maddocks C.

Dave Thomas's 67-33 defeat of Terry Askew drew Maddocks level though and they took the lead when Billy Rushton got the better of Geoff French by 58 points to 13.

The tide had well and truly turned now and further wins from Jim Hill over Barrie Easthope and Dave Hodson, 53-41 against George Nelson completed a fine 4-1 win for the Maddocks side.

DIVISION 3

Byron Mitchell celebrated Little Dawley C's promotion to Division 2 of the Telford Snooker League by posting the divisions highest break to date with a superb 54 break to beat the previous best of 48 set by Bayley C's Craig Whitehead.

And his break not only put him in line for the divisional highest break prize it also put his side 3-0 up as the runaway third division leaders travelled to play Wellington Billiard Hall C.

The opening two frames went Little Dawley's way courtesy of Mike King and Lee Elcock who got the better of Ken and Alan Francis respectively. Byron's break them extended the visitor's lead before Kev Whitehead replied for the Billiard Hall as he denied Lee Drinkwater with his seventeenth consecutive victory.

Roy Francis's black ball finish against Steve Farrington secured another frame for the Billiard Hall side who will be well pleased with a return of two frames against the title holders.

Whilst Little Dawley head the table by some 13 points, the race for the runner-up spot is certainly still in the balance with Hills Lane B still holding onto second spot following a 3-2 win at Bayley D.

Little Dawley G are hot on their heals though as they lie a point further back after they too recorded a 3-2 win at Maddocks D.

Hills Lane will be well pleased to have come out on top after recovering from two frames down early on to eventually win 3-2.

Darren Rhoades 45-33 win over Steve Powell gave the Bayley the lead and the home side went further in front when Sunderland fan Brian Aberdeen got the better of Steve Weaver by 53 points to 27.

The third frame also looked to be heading the Bayley's way only for Lee Harris to snatch it on the black to start a revival which was to eventually see Hills Lane take the match by the odd frame.

Kev Davis won the battle of the captains by defeating Steve Lane 62-23 leaving Richie Jones to clinch the decider by 55 points to 24 against Dave Dudley.

Little Dawley G also fell behind as they travelled to Maddocks D and found Mark Wincott in fine form to give the home side the lead with a 67-27 success over Gary Clements.

Graham Copson and Ray Leneveu soon changed things around for the visitors only for Brendan Wincott to follow in his father's footsteps to draw Maddocks level once more with a 55-20 defeat of Mick Rhoades.

However, Colin Clifford's 49-36 final frame victory over Colin Smith secured Little Dawley's fourteenth win of the season, leaving them with a chance of promotion, just a point adrift of that elusive second place.

Wellington Billiard Hall F's hopes seem to have faded though as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to Bayley B - although if next weeks' results go their way they could still make it as they are still only three points behind Hills Lane B.

The Welsh Wizard Paul Jones weaved his magic to leave John Tranter spellbound as the Bayley magician took the opening frame by 59 points to 31. The home side replied when captain Chris Durham got the better of his opposite number Bob Tracy only for young Danny Oliver to restore the Bayley's lead with a fine black ball win over former Bayley player Steve Williams.

Dicky Beddall made it 3-1 to the visitors soon after but the Billiard Hall had the last say as Richard Tranter took the fifth and final frame 59-31 from Robin Sturmey.

Anstice C are a point further back following on from a 3-2 win over Maddocks B.

Jason Mills set them on their way with a some excellent potting against John Archer only for Doug Morrey to draw Maddocks level with a 70-44 defeat of John Smith.

Steve Pritchard then gave Maddocks the lead as he accounted for Colin Westwood 46-29 but that was the last of Maddock's successes as Steve Camp took the next with a run of 28 against Tony O'Neil and then Kevin Smith got the better of Geoff Tudor to leave Anstice the victors by three frames to two.

Bottom of the table Newport British Legion are ending their season on a high note as they recorded their third win with an excellent 3-2 home success over Bayley C.

Keith Gardner's 51-27 win over young Craig Johnson gave Newport just the start they had hoped for but the Wellington side hit back with Chris Haycox taking the next frame from Alan Munn.

A close third frame also went the Bayley's way with Ian Johnson coming out on top against Alan Davies by 59 points to 41 but it was to be Newport's night as Darren Edwards levelled with a 37-21 win over Mike Healley and John Yapp got the better of Jim Lewis 52-34 to leave Newport with a well deserved victory.

STEVE FLETCHER    

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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