Last updated 19:27, Thursday, 04 December 2008

WORKINGTON Railway Club maintained their top spot in division one of the Cockermouth and District Snooker League with a 4-2 home victory against a resilient Seaton Legion side.

However the tie will always be remembered for a little piece of league history in the third frame of the match.

After a loose break-off shot from Legion’s Steven Creer, Railway Club captain Kevin Basnett was to produce the highest break in the league since its inception more than 50 years ago with a magnificent contribution of 130.

The match started well for the Railwaymen, as in the first frame Steven Little produced the shot of the night on the final blue. A superb pot was produced and, via three cushions, position was gained to the inch on the pink which was then subsequently dispatched for a 60-49 frame win.

Next up Seaton’s Scott Messenger well and truly put the pressure on from the first shot and with some fantastic potting he was to disappoint obstinate Railway cueist Paul Graham, 49-11.

After the drama of frame three Railway’s Neil Henderson continued his fine form to record his seventh win in eight games against creditable Legion opponent Paul Mostyn. Henderson frustrated throughout by delivering some excellent potting combined with some fine safety play to win, 65-13.

In frame five Seaton’s Karl Newton breathed life back into his team’s chances, as with an impressive 32 break he turned over accomplished Railway opponent Steve Garroway, 70-38.

With the score reduced to 3-2 to the Railwaymen a composed performance was required by Railway cueist Barry Collins if he was to guarantee his team’s division one top spot. Showing great self-control Collins turned a potentially tricky encounter against Legionnaire Alan Evans into a 60-30 victory to wrap up the match win.

Also in division one, John Street Club closed the gap at the top of the table to just a point, with a 5-1 home win against Senhouse B.

The only notable contribution of the evening went to John Street’s Mark Tunstall with a coolly constructed break of 44.

Derwent A bounced back from last week’s defeat to Maryport Social A with a 5-1 home win against Workington Legion. Even though the Workington side are propping up the table some close frame defeats swinging the other way could have seen a very different match scoreline.

Two Derwent players, Chris Scott and Vince Peet, who have shown some great form this season continued in that vein by recording breaks of 30 and 25 respectively in their impressive frame wins.

Maryport Social A maintained their third position in the table with a 4-2 away win against a promoted Station Road outfit who have incidentally slipped down the table slightly since their fine start to the campaign.

In division two leaders Ellenborough marched on with a 4-2 victory against hosts Flimby Club to preserve their position by two points.

The match started with a fluent win for Ellenborough’s Craig Anderson but that was quickly negated by an excellent victory from Flimby youngster Paul Vickers.

A 25 break from Flimby’s Mike Walker was enough to see the home side 2-1 up. However, with Ellenborough’s division two leading player Martin Murray up next the score was rapidly standing at 2-2.

Ellenborough’s safety-aware captain Keith Anderson cleverly captured the match advantage and with superb victory from team-mate Pat Walton over Flimby captain Geoff Banton the match win was complete.

Maryport Social B picked up the pace in the division two title hunt with a 5-1 home victory against Trades Hall.

Derwent B slipped to their third successive 5-1 defeat, this time against Senhouse A, while Glasson Rangers and Clifton Lions drew 3-3.