Shifnal E’s Matthew Davies put his name into the record books last week when he compiled the highest ever break in the history of the Telford Snooker League (sponsored by Romeo & Juliets).

The former English Amateur Champion compiled a total clearance of 131 to eclipse the previous record in a league game of 118 set by Paul Harper four years ago.

Matthew’s opponent A Ali could only sit and admire the Shifnal potter as he knocked in all fifteen reds together with one brown, a blue, eleven pink s and two blacks before sinking the last six colours for a magnificent total of 131 – just sixteen points short of the magical 147.

The break was even more remarkable as the black as tied up for most of the frame, and it was only after potting the last two reds that Matthew was able to take blacks before clearing the table.

Shifnal E captain Rob Wright described the break as “superb” and added that although he had seen Matthew make many century breaks in practice it was a brilliant achievement to see a total clearance in a league game.

Aaron Sparkes had earlier given Shifnal E the lead as they entertained their B team. His 63-36 success over Nigel Stallard precipitated a 4-1 win for last season’s Division 2 runners-up. After Matthew took the second frame with his historic break John Powell rescued a point for the B team with a solid 50-39 win over Jeff Sparkes before home captain Rob Wright made it 3-1 on the black against Ray Evans.

Dave Peplow’s final frame victory over M Shadab saw the E side safely through to a 4-1 triumph that moves them further away from the relegation dogfight at the foot of the first division table and plunges the B team into bottom spot.

Wellington Billiard Hall A lie three points ahead of Shifnal B after claiming exactly that amount of points from their home game with Little Dawley A.

A Khan’s close 50-41 opening frame success over Jesse Lowe was cancelled out when Darren Pountney replied for the visitors with a 61-40 win over Graham Darrall.

Lee Elcock put Little Dawley ahead by claiming the third frame 56-44 from John Rawlins but Luigi Dambrosio and Andy Kendrick turned the match the Billiard Hall’s way as they got the better of Richie Heighway and Ade Henry to take the match for the Wellington side.

As a result Little Dawley A are now only four points ahead of the Billiard Hall and a point behind Anstice D who lost out by the odd frame to high-flying Coddon A.

John Jones secured the first frame for the Anstice with an excellent 60-24 win over Lee Szklarzewicz but Dave Lloyd levelled matters for Coddon with a black ball finish against Darren Wilkie.

Ian Ferriday continued his recent run of good form with a fine win over Andy Elliott in the next and the Donnington side went further in front when Zenon Lembicz beat Nigel Wallcroft.

However Phil Reynold’s 65-29 final frame win over Terry Brenthall left the Anstice with two very valuable points as they attempt to retain their first division status.

One side definitely not looking over their shoulders at a potential relegation battle are Minnesota Fats A. They maintained their fabulous start to the season with yet another win – their eighth in eleven games – when they entertained Shifnal A.

John Wright’s 65-38 win over John Fallows was followed by a 45-35 win for Steve Collins against Angus Way as the Cannongate side opened up an early 2-0 lead.

Chris Painter’s 53-39 success over Jamie Morris reduced the deficit only for Paul Devey to restore the home side's two-frame advantage with a good performance against Roy Martin.

However it was Shifnal who had the final say with Linsay Knox taking the final frame from Keith Blackham to leave the final score 3-2 to Minnesota leaving them four points adrift of second-placed Maddocks A who won 4-1 at Bayley E.

Ian Eldridge and Darren Wincott led the way with early victories over Andy O’Brien and Martin Watkins and further wins from Phil Davis and Ian Skelton made it 4-0.

Only a last-gasp 64-46 win for David France over Leigh France saved the home side’s blushes as Maddocks reinforced their title-challenge with a good 4-1 victory.

DIVISION 2

Bayley A’s reign at the top of the second division proved to be short-lived as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Maddocks C leaving Dawley A to take full advantage by taking all five points against Little Dawley G.

Sean Nolan and Mark Jones took the first two frames against Roy and Derren Leneveu before Chris Woods made it 3-0 with a 59-34 defeat of Graham Copson.

Pete Nolan made it 4-0, beating Chris Leneveu 45-31 leaving Rick Bailey to complete the whitewash with a fine 64-23 win over Roy Vickery in the last.

Dawley now go into Christmas assured of a two point lead at the top of the table ahead of Bayley A who lost out by the odd frame against Maddocks C.

Graham Hoof set Maddocks on their way with a super 61-42 win over visiting captain Steve Fletcher and the home side soon doubled their lead when Nev Whitehead successfully overcame Bob Mason in the next.

A 30 break from Spencer Rowley reduced the arrears but a close 43-34 win for Colin Smith over Steve Nicholls saw the home side regain their two-frame lead.

Chris Morgan-Adams saved another point for the Bayley with an excellent 64-37 success over Joe Oliver to salvage what could ultimately prove an all-important extra point for the Bayley.

Their win leaves Maddocks C in joint third spot along with their B side who suffered a second successive defeat when they travelled to Little Dawley C.

Graham Wiley was first off the mark for the home side with a narrow 50-42 win over Wally Harper but the visitors responded by taking the next two frames although they were both close affairs.

First Doug Morrey edged out Mike King 65-54 and then Noel White beat Colin Gittus on the black to put the Oakengates side in front.

However their joy was only temporary as John Bowen and Steve Farrington took the final two frames against Steve Pritchard and Tony O’Neil to secure a 3-2 win for Little Dawley.

Coddon B got back to winning ways as they returned home from Dawley B with four very useful points in the bag.

Andy Jones’ 51-20 success over Kev Jones preceded Mark Wall’s 60-20 win over Barry Roden as he Donnington side took control.

A 76-39 success for Simon Yeats over Mick Tart made it 3-0 and things got even worse for the home side when Steve Downs won the next against Don Pugh.

Only Steve Hewitt’s final frame win over Phil Szklarzewicz saved the home side from the whitewash as Coddon moved up to a share of third spot on 29 points along with the two Maddocks sides.

Wellington Billiard Hall C will be looking for a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes come the New Year after a 5-0 reverse away to Anstice C sees them precariously placed at the foot of the table some nine points behind their opponents who are one place higher.

A close first frame went the Madeley side’s way when Kev Smith defeated Maj Shabir 53-42.

Steve Camp took the next with a 29 break before Mike Musgrave and Colin Westwood made it 4-0 with victories over James Price and Wayne Weeks respectively.

And with Dave Harper taking the final frame for Anstice on the black to deny Aaron O’Donnell the home side were left with all five points.

DIVISION 3

There was a clash of the titans in Division 3 as the top two in the division came face to face with Maddocks D defeating Bayley F 4-1 to open up a three-point gap at the top of the table.

Martin Wincott set the ball rolling with a fine opening frame victory ver Eddie Whitehead before M Hume made it 2-0 on the black against the unlucky Mike Healey.

Tom Maxfield’s 76-48 win over Ken Davies gave the Bayley hope but Maddocks were soon assured of their tenth win in eleven games when Fred Spragg won the next one, also on the black, against Chris Shaw.

Brendan Wincott’s 52-39 win over Paul Maxfield ensured it would be Maddocks and not the Bayley who start the New Year as top dogs in the division – although with all three Bayley sides hot on their heals it is sure to be a close run thing come next May.

Bayley D are just a point behind their F side as they continue to make it difficult for former captain Steve Lane to regain his place in the side as they again won convincingly – this time away to Minnesota Fats C.

They did it the hard way though, coming from behind to win 4-1 after Tom Firmstone had given Minnesota the lead with a good win over visiting captain Darren Rhoades.

Dave Williams levelled matters for the Bayley with a 49-36 win over Mike Thompson before Craig Whitehead and Brian Aberdeen made it 3-1 to the visitors.

Dave Dudley’s 53-31 defeat of Neil Robinson put the icing on the cake for the Bayley who have now taken 13 points from their last three games.

Bayley B lost ground slightly as they could only pick up two points from their home encounter with Wellington Billiard Hall B to leave them a point adrift of Bayley D in fourth place.

They started well enough though with young Danny Oliver knocking in a 24 break – but it didn’t prove enough to prevent Kev Whitehead taking the opening frame for the visitors by 67 points to 40.

Chris Haycox levelled things up for the Bayley with a good win over Kevan Murr but wins from Dave and Alan Francis put the visitors 3-1 ahead.

Dickie Bedall’s narrow 60-51 win over Iain Atkinson saved another point for the Bayley who are still in a strong position to claim one of the two promotion spots available.

Wellington Billiard Hall F are five points behind the lower of the three Bayley sides - but if their current form is anything to go by they may well sneak up on the rails as they took all five points against Anstice C to move their points total to 27 – the same as the Madeley side.

Martin Chapman took the first frame with an excellent win over John Darrock and further wins for Chris Fletcher and Steve Weatherall, the latter on the black against Mick Cahill ensured the Wellington side of victory.

Rob Cook then made it 4-0 against George Hammond before another black ball game went the home side’s way as Richard Tranter edged out Danny weaver by 49 points to 46.

The breaks were flying in for Shifnal D as they entertained Hadley A with both Terry Askey and Sanjay Chauhan hitting runs in the twenties.

Terry’s 23 break proved significant as he opened the scoring against S Dicken Senior and runs of 29 and 26 saw Sanjay safely home against Alan Barnett as the home side opened up a 2-0 lead.

Rich Goldie’s 67-34 defeat of Ivor Peplow proved to be all his Hadley side could muster as Geoff French and Barrie Easthope completed a fine 4-1 win for Shifnal.

John Yapp had to take the last three balls to pip Garry Clements by just a single point as Newport British Legion B came out on top by a single frame against Little Dawley B.

Phil Cottey levelled for the visitors and they then took the lead courtesy of Tommy Wotherspoon’s fine win over Manjit Gidda.

However the Newport side had the last laugh with Alan Davies beating Jamie Evans 55-24 and Les Stirling claiming the decider against Rob Barlow.

STEVE FLETCHER    

Steve.Fletcher@telfordsnooker.com

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