Shropshire Star

Tom has Max factor in super comeback

Teenage talent Tom Maxfield displayed his precocious snooker skills by staging a fine comeback in the opening round of the Shropshire Star Knockout.

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Teenage talent Tom Maxfield displayed his precocious snooker skillsTeenage talent Tom Maxfield displayed his precocious snooker skills by staging a fine comeback in the opening round of the Shropshire Star Knockout.

The 15-year-old from Minnesota Fats, an English age group finalist last year, looked destined for a first round exit as he trailed Rob Dubicki of the Raven Hotel 2-0.

But the youngster turned the match on its head and claimed the final three frames to book his place in the last 32.

That continued an impressive run of form for the youngster who was undefeated when representing England in junior home internationals earlier this year.

The leading protagonists from last season's competition all made comfortable progress into round two.

Defending champion Matt Davies started his defence with an empathetic 3-0 win away at Oswestry Ex-Services Club against Mike Williams.

Whitchurch's Mike Dubicki, the man beaten by Davies in last year's final, eased through with a 3-1 win away to Mark Mason at Reman.

And both last season's losing semi-finalists, Simon Thomas and Drew Hughes, progressed without losing a frame against Nick Rodgers and Bill Turner respectively.

Century

Callum Wraight broke down within a whisker of making a century, but his break of 86 in the 3-0 win over Nigel Stallard put him in early pole position for the highest break prize.

Darren Weston had a 79 in his 3-1 success over Darren Poutney while Phil Davies, of the Maddocks club in Telford, was in impressive form as ran in two breaks over 50 and a further two over 40 in defeating former semi-finalist Colin Nuttal 3-1.

Dave Berry set up an intriguing second round clash with Mike Dubikci after a 3-0 win over Chris Thomas, including a 75, while Mark Bloomfield edged the Shrewsbury derby with Sean Nolan 3-2.

Ellesmere's Lee Gorton gained his first victory in the competition by defeating Angus Way 3-1, while pool ace Craig Reynolds came from a frame down to edge out Keith Price 3-2.

New entrants John Fallows and Kevin Uzzell came close to bowing out, but both fought back to register final frame victories against Ian Morris and John Barton respectively.