Once again the season has come to an end, well almost, apart from competitions and play offs, and what an exciting finish we had to the season. Shifnal B went into their last match playing the Maddocks B side at Shifnal, needing four points to retain their title. The first frame started well for the Shifnal side, as Aaron Sparkes had a 38 break on the way to winning the opening frame against Graham Hoof. Surprise of the season next, when matt Davies stepped up to take on Mick Wincott. Mick played very well, and inflicted the first defeat of the season in league play on Matt, with a 60-54 victory. So, pressure on, and in the next frame you wouldn’t have thought there was any pressure on Angus Way as he knocked in a great 90 break playing his frame with Darren Wilkie. Back on track then, or were they? The next frame saw Lindsay Knox beaten by Ian Cleary to make it 2-2. In the last frame John Fallows also had a 55 break as he defeated Joe Oliver. Not quite the result Shifnal wanted, but a fine display from Maddocks C, who should be pleased with their performances this season. The good news for Shifnal turned out to be that Maddocks A won their match 4-1, but finish second due to match wins by their respective teams.

Maddocks A opened their challenge playing Shifnal F, with an out of sorts display from Ian Eldridge, although Ian did beat John Briscoe to take the first frame. Ian’s Skelton made it 2-0 playing Dave Peplow, and Phil Davies had no problem making it 3-2 when he was drawn against Rob Wright, also having a 27 break during the frame. Leigh France was next to the table, and according to the score card, Leigh couldn’t strike a blow for the Maddocks side, and he lost to Chris Painter. Dave France was the last to play, and in a close finish, Dave held his nerve to win the last frame beating Chris petford on the black, in a scrappy frame. This means that Shifnal F are also relegated.

Bayley E were the home side in their match with Anstice A. Anstice did all they could possibly do to try and win this seasons title, but were a little too far off the pace towards the end. This match was also important for the Bayley E side to stay in this division. Andy Obrien lost the opening frame to Keith Price with T. McDonald faring no better against Ian Duffy, who had a 41 break in that frame. John Squire was then defeated by Neil Price, and in the next Dave France was unable to win that one whilst playing Craig Reynolds. In the final frame Simon Yeates took it for Anstice to give them a clean sweep as he beat Dave Beyer. As it turned out, the Bayley E side will be involved with the play offs to retain their position in the first division, and not Bayley A as I earlier reported. This is due to both teams ending on level match wins for the season, but on a head to head basis, Bayley E have won six from the ten frames played, and therefore, it is Bayley A who go down. Sorry if this has disappointed anyone!

Little Dawley A were at home to the Audco team, and this was an evenly fought match. Little Dawley lost the first as Dave Berry beat home player, Lee elcock to put Audco in front. Graham Wiley then lost to Roger Lewis which put Audco 2-0 to the good. Jesse Lowe stemmed the tide with a frame win over Anthony Heathcote, and then Stu Russell for the Dawley side took the match to a decider, when he beat John Williams. Ade Henry stepped up to play Paul Proctor in the last, but Audco couldn’t find the form of their two opening players, so after a good start in the match, this one went to Ade giving Dawley frame and match, Audco finished a few points ahead of little Dawley with both teams finishing mid table.

Back to relegation fights now, and in the last report for this division, Coddon A played the Bayley A side at the Donnington club. Dave Lloyd won the first for Coddon in a close frame with Arthur Burrows, with Steve Downes making it 2-0 when he played Steve Nichols. Couldn’t have been closer in the third with Andy Jones beating Maxwell Hodson by one point to take Coddon into a 3-0 lead. Mark Wall then played Chris Morgan-Adams, and it was Chris who got the only point of the evening for his team by taking the frame from Mark. Tony Garmson was the last to play, and he drew Steve Fletcher. This result went to Tony, and Coddon, but oh what a difference one point could have made for Bayley A.

Second Division

Bayley F are into the first division next season, with players that originally came from the old Wellington billiard hall, moved to Audco, and finally the Bayley club. The Second Club Trench were the home side against the Bayley F team this week, and what a nice but difficult table to play. In the first frame Paul Crooks met up with Andy Kendrick, and it was Andy, who by the way, as won most wins this season that took this frame. Ian Ferriday was next up for the Trench side and he reversed the result from the first encounter with Bayley, when he drew Phil Whitby for the second time this season. One frame each now, and in the next frame we saw Mike Thompson play Graham Darrell. Graham was back to winning ways, and took this one to put Bayley 2-1 up. Dave Welsh then took on Mick Hughes, and this one went to Mick. 3-1 up, and last of the pairings was Toby Welsh playing Alan Turner. Alan made it 4-1 to Bayley to end a successful season for the Bayley side, and the Trench side did finish mid table, and probably less than they would have expected. Still, there’s always a next time!

LDS C were at home to challengers for promotion, Min Fats A. Min Fats started very well taking the first frame when Mick Pearson beat Carl Kesterton in the opener. Joe Rixom soon made amends when he got the better of Neil Pearson to level the scores. Jon Calvert them put the Dawley side 2-1 up with his win over Mick Egan. A very close frame followed between Pete Randall and Dale Blagborough, and in this one the honours went to Dale, 46-41 to set up a decider. That was played between Mike Rhodes and Phil Bufton, and true to form, Mike who as stepped in and played a handful of games this season, did the business to give his side the match win. However, it still means in spite of a 3-2 loss, Min Fats will be promoted along with the Bayley F side.

Although little Dawley G had a bye this week, they have done enough to be involved in the play offs for promotion, and that will be taking place this following Wednesday.

Bayley B may feel a little disappointed after their season which started so well, and they just missed out making the play offs. Bayley were the home side playing Coddon C, who have played very well in the latter half of the season. The very capable Tom Mulholland played the first frame against Ollie Wall, and it was Ollie who won this one. Kevin West replied for the Bayley side with a 35 break on his way to a win over Mark Tusel. Next up was Dickie Bedall, who played Daniel Ballard. Daniel looked unbeatable earlier in the season, and that remained the case in this frame as Daniel put Coddon 2-1 up in a closely contested frame. Dickie Oliver levelled the score with a win over Matt Bothwell, and in the final frame, Danny Oliver, who seems to have lost his form recently, lost his frame with Garry Owen, which meant Coddon had kept their good run going. Perhaps Coddon can build on this next season, and I’m sure the Bayley team have lots of improvement to come.

Maddocks B and Dawley B were involved in a match where neither team could help their position. Both are relegated this season, and it was Maddocks, the home team who lost the first frame when Wally Harper played against Mick Reynolds. Doug Morrey, who will be pleased with his season, won the next against the useful Grant Heighway to even the match score. John Archer then welcomed his win, as he played Barry Roden to make it 2-1 for Maddocks. Geoff Tudor found Liam Goodman in fine form, and it was Liam who won this one to set up a deciding frame. That was contested between John Shepherd and Nigel Brazenall, and Nigel won frame and match for the Dawley B side. Shifnal A will be in the play offs in this division.

Third Division

Allscott took on champions of this division, Hadley B, at the Allscott club this week, and in the first frame Kev Welland came up against Kev Whitehead. The Hadley player took this frame to give his side the lead. A close affair the next, with Nick Gwynne playing John Wright, this score was 50 to John and 41 to Nick. Next up was Steve Powell who was going well for most wins a little earlier in the season. Steve was drawn to play Darren Pountney, and in this frame Steve could not add anymore wins to his season, as Darren won this one comfortably. Dave Finney got the first win of the evening, and it turned out to be the only point for the Allscott team, when Dave won a close frame with Dave Smout. In the last, Jim Allen lost to Ken Booty who was also very close to most wins this season. However, it looks like that honour has gone to Noel Stones, whose team will also be involved in the play off against Shifnal A.

While Hadley B were playing the champions, their fellow team mates were at home to second placed LDS B, who are also promoted. The Hadley side gave them a good run for their money with Hadley taking the lead when Roy Francis beat Ginnette Gittus. This was the only frame that Ginnette had played this season for her team. Tony Morgan was up next for Hadley, but he could not add to that score and Tony lost to Richie Heighway. Richard Benting then also lost to Colin Gittus, so , 2-1 to the Dawley side. Allen Francis had a good frame with Andrew Clarke, but just lost that frame by three points, and LDS B went 3-1 up. In the last frame of the evening, Iain Atkinson beat Pete Clarke, and that was a good display from the Hadley side to finish their campaign.

Anstice B were the home side when they played Bayley D. This match decided who would be in the play offs, and it was the Anstice side who got off to the better start. George Hammond opened the match playing Dave Dudley, and George put his side 1-0 in front. Mark Bedall quickly replied for the Bayley side to level the score, and give his side a fighting chance when he beat Mick Cahill. In the next frame, Noel Stones then beat Dave Williams, which gave Noel the most wins, and left the Bayley lads needing to win the last two frame to make the play offs. It wasn’t to be though, as in the next frame Steve Smallwood beat Brian Aberdeen, and to finish the night of in style, Billy Watson added the fourth point of the evening when he beat Jim Lewis.

Newport B finished mid table, and their last match was at home to the Shifnal D side. Allan Davies lost a close frame with Terrie Askew, and Richard Goldie made it 1-1 when he got the better of Arthur Aston. Keith Gardener then lost to Pete Wharton which gave the away side the lead again. Steve Speake won a close frame with Barrie Easthope, and this set up a deciding frame with Les Stirling taking on Geoff French. It was Geoff for the away side who took this one to leave the Shifnal side with the win.

Bayley Q finished their campaign at the Bayley club, playing bottom of the division Second Club B. Chris Durham got the home side off to a good start by defeating Chris Coterill. The next frame was a much closer affair with Chris Fletcher taking on Alan Kynaston, Chris won this one, 56-46 (the first frame he has won this season). The next frame saw Keith Mears start a revival when he beat Lee Newton to get one back for his side. Nick Holmes for the Trench side then added another by beating Rob Cook. It was Chris Bates for the Bayley who took the match when he won against Roger Smith in another close frame, so all in all a good performance from the Second club, considering their position, and a good finish to the season for the Bayley Q lads.

Hope everyone enjoyed the season as much as I did, and see you at the presentation.

Alan Turner    

Alan.Turner@telfordsnooker.com