This season sees the league start with 35 teams and unfortunately there is one bye in the third division due to one team dropping out, this being Minnesota Fats C. In the first division champions Broseley were away to “new team” Minnesota B comprising of three ex Anstice A players plus Paul Smith, and the return of Darren Weston. Broseley although away from home took three of the frames from Minnesota Fats B.

Maddocks A beat Dawley A at Maddocks, with Phil Davis recording a 40 break in his frame with Rick Bailey. Anstice C got off to a good start when they were at home to Little Dawley A and won this match 3-2. They came from 2 behind as Little Dawley had opened the account with wins from Darren Pountney and Colin Hales.

In the local derby between Shifnal A and Shifnal B, the A side lost the first two frames but came back to win the match 3-2. Bayley A who avoided relegation last season, started their campaign in another local derby with their E team, and lost the match 3-2.

In the second division relegated Audco had a fine win over Bayley D with the highlight of the evening being the tussle with Mickey Benting and Craig Whitehead. A super up and down match this, with Craig taking the final colours to the pink to secure their only point of the evening. Coddon B entertained Maddocks C to open up their title ambitions but last seasons relegated Oakengates side took four points with some good displays. Mark Wall started off well only to be pegged back by the former Maddocks A man, Darren Wincott and it was Darren that went on to win the frame on the blue. Danny Bedworth, who had not played a competitive for many years, then made it 2-0 for Maddocks. In the battle of the “Steves” home man Downs had little chance against a solid display from Hassack, making it 3-0 to Maddocks. Jimmy Hill then made it 4-0 beating Nick Pearce, but any chance of a whitewash were soon ended as Dave Holmes took a consolation point for the Coddon men beating Joe Oliver. Minnesota Fats A, in another local derby match, saw them lose to their G-side in yet again, another 3-2 result.

Shifnal F were at home to the Second Club B-side, and they too gained a 3-2 victory over the Trench side. Meanwhile, back in Trench, the other Second Club side, the a-side, were busy collecting three points from their match with Bayley B. Coddon C went to Little Dawley G and started off in good style taking the first three frames, before Ian Fleming and Rob Withington pulled back the last two points for the home side.

Bayley Q, who so nearly made it into the second division last season, visited Hadley A who finished bottom of this division last season. However they found the Hadley side in winning form. Hadley took the first three games in this match until Chris Bates beat Alan Francis, and then in the last frame Richard Tranter beat lain Atkinson compiling a nice 36 break on the way. Iain also managed a 25 break in a high scoring game. Maddocks B lost at home to Shifnal D 3-2, with Les Hicks still showing good form for Maddocks beating Barry Easthope 61-29.

Anstice B who were relegated last season started their season with a resounding 5-0 victory over Newport B showing their intentions of a quick return to the second flight. Dawley B who were also relegated last season, although having home advantage, didn’t get the start they would have liked with Paul Harper being the only winner in their 4-1 defeat at the hands of new team, Little Dawley C. Little Dawley B entertained the Maddocks D side and this match was decided in the final frame when new player M. Wainright junior won the deciding frame beating Snowy Darrock 68-33.

Enjoy the season and hope to see lots of you at the presentation.

Alan Turner    

Alan.Turner@telfordsnooker.com

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