Anstice C's Darren Wilkie put the seal on a remarkable first season in the Telford Snooker League when he completed a 3-1 win over team-mate Steve Camp in the final of the John Bethell Memorial Trophy played at the Sir John Bayley Club last week.

The Trophy, which is in memory of one of the Bayley Club's finest players, is for players who have not previously won a trophy in the league and so both players were keen to make an impression in what would be there only appearance in the final.

A tense opening frame could have gone either way before Darren sank the final black to take the frame 56-52 and open up a 1-0 lead.

He then doubled his advantage by taking the second frame as well by some 59 points to 24 before Steve hit back to claim the third 64-39.

Darren still only required one frame to lift the coveted trophy which includes local professional Adrian Gunnell amongst a long list of previous winners - and that frame duly arrived in dramatic fashion.

The trophy looked to be heading Darren's way as he opened up a thirteen point lead on the yellow but a brilliant yellow to pink clearance saw Steve move into a seven point lead with just the black remaining.

However Darren held his nerve as he potted the black to send the frame to a re-spotted black and then repeated the feat with a long pot into the green pocket to add the John Bethell title to the two other cups he has won this season - the third division title with Anstice C and the most wins prize for division 3.

STEVE FLETCHER 

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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