Martin O’Connor made a stunning personal best break of 96 in the Spalding and District League’s Billiards Shield last week – but it was ultimately in vain.
The Pyramid B potter belied his R10 handicap to make one of the biggest breaks of the billiards season in any competition.
But wins from Mick Cooper (O40) and Adam Barwell (O10), who made breaks of 35 (twice) and 39 respectively, steered Long Sutton to a 482-433 success.
It was a week of big breaks, with Rob Childs (O200) also on-song for Crowland B.
He helped his side progress 600-507 against Pyramid A with scores of 73 and 46, while team-mates Paul Holland (R70) and Allan Sharman (R70) finished the job.
Another of the league’s big hitters, Consti B’s Mick Johnson (O170), also weighed in with scores of 69, 54 and 45 to steer his team to a 590-540 success over Holbeach C.
John Keeton (R30) grabbed Consti’s other frame win, with Terry Shaw (R70) hitting back for Holbeach.
The closest tie of the night saw Consti D edge out Consti A 540-539.
Despite frame wins from Robert Adams (R40) and Peter Tingle (R90), Alan Hansard (R70) pipped Lindsay Porter (R40) in the final frame to clinch the match.
Donington are also through after beating Crowland A 591-523, with Sid Shaw (O10) and Jim Thompson (R30) on-song.
- Billiards Shield results: Donington 591 Crowland A 1 523; Crowland B 600 Pyramid A 0 507; Long Sutton 482 Pyramid B 433; Consti B 590 Holbeach C 540; Consti D 540 Consti A 539.
