SNOOKER: Mark’s magic 141 is best-ever break
Majestic Mark Gray made the biggest break in Spalding and District Snooker League history last week with a stunning 141 clearance.
The 39-year-old Bourne Snooker Centre A ace, who plays off a massive O91 handicap, achieved the accolade in a 5-1 win over Consti G in Division Three.
Gray, a former snooker professional and the United Kingdom’s current number two ranked pro 9-ball pool player, went ten better than the league’s previous best score of 131, made by Jason Bates back in 2004/05.
He had to give opponent Andrew Grimwood (O14) a massive 77 start, but didn’t let the Consti G ace even register a point as he went to to win 151-77.
Unfortunately, Gray’s mammoth effort won’t land him the Harold Hardy Memorial Trophy for the league’s highest break, as ex-pros aren’t eligible.
But match secretary Susan Lefley has paid tribute to his incredible feat. She said: “It’s such a shame that he can’t win the award. To get such a break is amazing, but to do it as a clearance really is remarkable.
“To have somebody of his calibre playing in our league really is an honour. Mark’s playing off such a massive handicap, which must be hard for him.
“But he has played absolutely brilliantly every week and I can see him getting a 147 before the end of the season.”
Gray’s stellar show was the cherry on top of a great night for the Bourne club, who cemented their position at the top of the third tier. Ian Gibson (O7), who made a winning 22 clearance, Max Ayliff (O14), who made a 22 break, and Jason Needham (O49) were the other winners.
Up in Division One, Long Sutton B moved ten points clear with a 4-2 victory at Donington C. Carl Parnell (O42) was the star of the show, making breaks of 36 and 23 before finishing with a 31 clearance.
Parnell’s Sutton team-mates Wayne Dent (O42) and Steve Godfrey (O14) also chipped in with breaks of 29.
Tulips A remain bottom of the pile after they lost an all-Spalding affair at Services E 4-2.
Bren Bowman (O63) can consider himself very unlucky not to be on the winning side, having made breaks of 43 and 20 en route to edging out Chris Dunmore (O21) on the final black.
Two more Tulips players were on fine form as the B side beat Donington A 4-2. Mark Woodberry (O28) led the way with a 44, while Mark Wilkinson (O14) managed a cool 33.
In Division Two, Boundary B moved six points clear (with a game in hand) after dispatching Pyramid C 4-2. Steve Smith (R7) settled the contest with a black-ball win in the final frame.
Best break in the second tier went to Consti H’s Doug Garfoor (O14), who made 31 against Crowland D. His frame win was the only highlight for his side though, as Crowland ran out 5-1 winner.
Elsewhere, Mark Spiller (scr) made a 25 clearance in Services C’s 5-1 win over Boundary A and Lee Davies (O21) enjoyed a 27 clearance for Pyramid D as they lost 4-2 against Consti B.
In Division Four, a 5-1 win over Donington D sent Consti E top, though they were indebted to black-ball wins from Kevin Sweeney (R14) and Bob Adams (R7).
Previous leaders Bourne SC B were beaten 4-2 by red-hot Long Sutton C, who have now won five games on the spin and sit in third place.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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