Reece clears up for 131 stunner

TOP OF THE POTS . . . Reece Kershaw celebrates his 131 break.

Big-break expert admits: ‘I hadn’t played for weeks’

PRACTICE makes perfect, so the saying goes.

In a sport such as snooker, where the margins between success and failure are so small, a well-honed cueing action is perceived to be vital.

But local player Reece Kershaw blew such a notion out of the water by making a stunning 131 break for Yorkshire Ward in their recent Saddleworth Snooker League match against Greenfield.

“To be honest, I hadn’t picked up a cue for five weeks,” admitted the Yorkshire Ward potting machine, whose clearance comprised 14 reds and colours, plus the six colours off their spots.

“I had a break from snooker and this was only my second competitive frame after that.

“I had a 40-odd break playing for Hillbillies in the Manchester League on the Thursday and then made the century in my second frame back on the Tuesday.”

Reece (36), whose top break of 139 came in a practice session, has been playing snooker since the age 12.

He practices at the Hillbillies club he represents on Thursday nights and, despite his obvious talent at the sport, is content to stay close to his roots and play in the local leagues.

Saddleworth Snooker League officials have yet to confirm that Reece’s 131 is a league record break, but recent records strongly suggest his effort has set a new benchmark.

Reece, whose century break was achieved against another top local player in Andy Ormerod, is the Yorkshire Ward captain.

But despite his heroics on the baize, he may be sitting it out again in the near future.

“I don’t always play,” he admitted. “I prefer to give the other lads a game.”