Anstice A’s Ian Duffy lifted the Telford Snooker League individual title for the first time last Monday when he defeated Maddocks A’s Darren Wincott by four frames to one in the final played at the Sir John Bayley Club in Wellington.

Having lost in the final eight years ago, Ian was keen to claim the coveted title and he took the first frame against the former under 21 title-holder with a yellow to pink clearance.

Both players started tentatively but after potting the last red Ian snookered his opponent on the yellow and when Darren left his attempted escape short he seized his opportunity to clinch the opening frame.

The second frame was again nip and tuck all the way. But this time it was Darren who found himself with the chance to produce a frame winning clearance only to miss a crucial brown when he attempted a slow shot into the corner pocket leaving Ian the chance to take brown, blue and pink for a two-frame lead.

And it was Ian who duly closed out the match by taking the last two frames as well as he produced his usual solid display of good safety and steady potting - knocking in several 30 plus breaks - to claim the title and put his name on the Chris Ward Trophy.

In the semi-finals Ian defeated Darren’s teammate Ian Eldridge by 3 frames to 2 whilst Darren secured a 3-1 win over Little Dawley’s Darren Pountney.

Ian has been no stranger to success this year - winning the most wins in Division 1 and notching a century break on the way to lifting the Division 1 individual title earlier in the season.

However his opponent can also be well-pleased with his achievement in reaching what is sure to be the first of several appearances in the final of this prestigious event.

My thanks to referee Alan Turner for providing the background for this report.

STEVE FLETCHER    

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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