The title chase in the Midlands Counties Billiards League is really hotting up as the latest round of results see Stoke joining Derby at the top on twenty-six points, while Stafford and Worcester each have twenty-five and a half. All four teams have played five games. However, to find the favourites one has to look further, with Nottingham currently in fifth spot having harvested twenty-four points from only four games and being superbly placed to add a new name to the list of Midland League Champions. It is interesting to note that all five teams in contention have settled sides - they have all played every League match to date with the same three players, while the remaining sides have all used more than three.
Peter Shelley (Stoke) made breaks of 130, 100, 66 and 52 in his game against Jim Cummings (Stafford) to win 466-151 and set the highest one-hour aggregate in the League so far this year. Shelley has made six centuries in his matches to date, although the highest break is currently to the credit of David Rees (Derby) with 151. David also holds the most number of individual wins with 15 from 13.