THERE'S just no stopping 16-year-old whiz kid Justin Astley in the Darwen Hotels Snooker League. He followed up league breaks of 96 and 94 with a spectacular 104 in the 7-1 win over Uncle Jack's. It was the highest break ever in the Darwen League, pipping his practice partner and mentor Dave Houghton's 103.

However, Justin is still kicking himself for missing an easy-enough pink in a recent match when right in line for a maximum. "He'll get a max this season," was Dave's confident forecast for his Punch team-mate. Only two other players have hit century breaks from 10 reds in the Darwen League: Ian McClure with a 101 and Gaz Hampson with a 102.

HIGHFIELD WMC from Darwen and Burnley's Rosegrove Unity, two clubs who have recently installed small tables, clash in the preliminary round of the Lancashire Small Table snooker tournament. Highfield are making their debut, while Rose- grove have entered the event for years, playing their home games away.

Last season's runners-up Top Break (Burnley) are at home to Nelson Poultry Club, while Clith- eroe Legion, the only team to win the event twice in the 90's, are at home to Jimmy Nelson's SC (Nelson). The 11 first round winners will join 21 teams who have a bye to the second round.

The preliminary draw is: Hotels & Apartments No 1 v Winchester, Hapton, Nelson Star Cycling No 1 v Highfield Rd No 2 (Blackpool), Dog & Partridge No 1 (Blackpool) v Prince of Wales (Darwen), Highfield WMC (Darwen) v Rosegrove Unity (Burnley), Claremont Con (Blackpool) v Cemetery No 2 (Darwen), Top Break (Burnley) v Nelson Poultry, Riley's Snooker & Pool (Blackpool) v Stanley Ward No 2 (Blackpool), Links Hotel (St Annes) v Hoddlesden Con (Darwen), Blackpool Central v Falcon No 1 (Poulton), Falcon No 2 (Poulton) v South Shore C&T (Blackpool), Clitheroe Legion No 1 v Jimmy Nelson's (Nelson).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.