Paul Lloyd's Telford 'A' team travelled to Stafford to take on the much fancied Aldridge side who boasted the likes of current pro & world no:51 Mark Joyce in their strong line up. Indeed Aldridge were full of confidence going into the Semi Final encounter after smashing Cannock 6-1 in the Quarters.

First up for Aldridge was Mark Joyce who has earned almost £80,000 in prize money as a pro in the current money list. Facing him was John Fallows who had beaten Mark in both their 2 previous meetings. He knew chances would be limited so boldly took on a long red to try to gain the initiative. However it was difficult and rattled in the jaws of the corner pocket. Mark certainly took full advantage as he composed a fantastic clearance of 127 to take the first frame 128-0 and set the standard.

On the other table Telford's Ian Duffy took on Simon Gough and the pressure mounted on his shoulders as he could see the events on Table 1 unfold and all eyes focussing firmly on his game. A win for Simon and Aldridge would surely have one foot in the final. Ian earned himself the nickname of 'Ice Man' as he dug in resisting the temptation to take any risks and professionally bossed the frame, eventually running out a 68-9 victor and more importantly, levelled the match score 1-1.

In the third frame it was the 'Ginger Magician' Tom Maxfield who got in first with some impressive potting to open up an early lead. However a missed red let in his opponent in and Saqib Nasir took advantage, a nice 41 break sealed the frame 91-34 and put Aldridge back in front.

Back on Table 2 was the battle of the experienced ex-pros Adrian Rosa and Telford's 'Maximum Man' Matt Davies. This frame now looked even more pivitol but Matt never looked in any danger as he strode calmly round the table, making 31 and 44 breaks to square the match once more, winning 75-7.

With the match hanging in the balance, you could cut the tension with a knife with anxious looks on the faces in both camps. This was also a test of Telford skipper Paul Lloyd's tactics as he had changed his usual line up switching himself with usual anchor man Shaun Harris. The lead see-sawed in both games on the 2 tables with neither side able to gain any momentum.

On Table 1 it was Lee Bannister for Aldridge who began to stretch out in front of previously undefeated Darren Weston. On Table 2 it was real nail biting stuff as Shaun Harris went in front, then Daniel Buskin hit back to take the lead. It started to look as though Aldridge could end the match here but Telford have showed time and again that only fools should write this team off. Cheered on by their band of travelling supporters they showed great determination to grind out a result for their team.

Trailing by 40 points 'Dynamite' Darren Weston exploded into life with some great potting and sublime safety to turn his frame on its head, leaving his opponent needing snookers on the pink. Despite a determined effort from Lee, Darren kept his nerve to continually escape from each snooker he faced until he eventually knocked in the pink to take the frame 76-45.

With Telford now on the brink of victory Daniel Buskin for Aldridge dug in, laying some good snookers of his own. However Shaun Harris has nerves of steel as he has proved previously in his normal anchor man role. A tense exchange of safety play ensued, which was of high quality considering the enormity of pressure involved. In the end Shaun took the colours, including an amazing double on the brown off the middle jaw into the yellow pocket, to win 69-49 and put the seal on a fantastic performance from the Telford lads.

With the match won Paul Lloyd and Nathan Wood played out the dead rubber with Nathan clearing the colours to edge it 76-30 to make the scoreline look a little more respectible.

Overall Its Telford 'A' who deservedly take their place in the Inter Town Final where they will face either Sedgeley 'A' or Stafford 'A' who play their Semi Final next Friday. It will be a brave man who bets against them in this form, well done lads it was a pleasure to watch.