THE draws for the Blackburn with Darwen Snooker League singles and doubles tournaments have set up some mouth watering clashes.

Best of the singles looks to be Rishton Con Club's Nathan Bridges v Haider Ali from Potters Snooker in Oswaldtwistle. Bridges is well established in local cue sports and yet, despite all his years of experience as a snooker and pro pool player this is the one title he has never won. It sums up Bridges tournament record that he has drawn the exciting Ali as his third round opponent. The Potters man is setting the league on fire in only his second season and is a tough test for anyone. Ali's team mate Murad Iqbal is another youngster enjoying success at both pool and snooker. Already an England international pool player Murad recently turned to former pro snooker star Shokat Ali for some help with his snooker game. Whatever Shokat has been telling the youngster is certainly working! A series of big breaks in recent matches, including a total clearance of 88, have given him the confidence to face anyone. He will certainly need to be on his mettle when he takes on Longshaw's Lee Whittle. The Audley veteran made his small tables debut a couple of years ago and has risen up the ranks steadily. He has the experience and ability to beat anyone on his day and this ages old clash between youth and experience will be one to savour. Another Potters player to watch out for is Ibby Khan and he'll relish the opportunity to put one over another Rishton Con player, local champion Jonny Hannan. Chris Lawson has recently overcome some severe health problems and despite being nowhere near his best has managed to battle through two tough matches. Could the handicapper finally catch up with him as he attempts to give a big start to the experienced Mark Gorzella from Blackburn Golf Club? Another one to watch out for is Dave O'Kane v Asaf Khan. O'Kane has been in scintillating form since his return to league action this season and will relish the challenge against small tables debutant Khan.

Ibby Khan also features in a much anticipated clash in the Ben Dickinson Memorial Pairs Tournament. Along with namesake Asaf they face the Bufton brothers, Eamon and Mick who beat Bridges and partner Mick Burns in the previous round. Perennial bridesmaids Gary Hampson and Shaun Pendlebury face an uphill battle against reigning singles champion Mark Jennings and partner Baz O'Kane on the tricky Park table. Hampson and Pendlebury have got to no less than 5 semi finals in as many years on both small and big tables and must be wondering if they'll ever make a final. It certainly won't be this one if Jennings and O'Kane have their way! Jimmy Brookens and Pete Arkwright look to be an exceptionally strong pairing up at Mill Hill and they will need to be when they take on Dion Holcroft and Jake Fuller, another good pairing from Potters. Rishton Con's Lawson and partner Craig Steele have an exceptional league record together and they will be hoping that continues when they entertain golden oldies Walt Jarvis and Bernard Goulding. Jarvis and Goulding were partners many years ago and had a good run at titles like the old Borough Cup. When Jarvis moved back from Blackpool they wasted no time in putting the band back together. This is probably the finest field ever assembled for this tournament and all 32 remaining teams will believe they have a great shot at winning it. One thing's for sure - whoever wins it they will certainly have earned it.

The full draws for the competitions are available on the league website, www.bwdsl.leaguerepublic.com