DEFENDING champion Colin Morton made history in the second round of this year's Observer Snooker Cup.

The free-potting postman was in terrific form in his match aganst Mick Taylor, hitting the highest break in the long history of the competition.

His break of 140 beat the 138 knocked up by Shokat Ali, who later went on to join the professional ranks.

And it is thought he also became the first player to complete back-to-back centuries, having hit 105 in the previous frame. His reward is a difficult draw against Poplar clubmate Dale Clark in the third round.

Elsewhere last year's beaten finalist Shabir Ahmed was also in convincing form, beating D Burns 3-0 and he will now face Pete Mercer in the next round, who came back from 2-0 down to overcome Chris Waring 3-2.

And veteran ex-champion Phil Hollings triumphed 3-2 over 17-year-old J Dryden of Clayton Conservive Club - and then paid tribute to his young opponent for an excellent 55 break in the fourth frame.

Another high scorer was Jack Dady who had an 84 break in the third frame in his 3-1 win over A Akhbar.

SECOND ROUND RESULTS

J Dady 3, A Akbar 1; J Clark 0, T Egan 3; P Hollings 3, J Dryden 2; C Waring 2, P Mercer 3; K Ashraf 3, D Howe 0; T Pendlebury 2, D Clark 3; S Ahmed 3, D Burns 0; B Holden 3, C McDonald 2.

J Quail 2, T Donnelly 3; B Goulding 1, J Darby 3; P Fraser lost to K Hussain on a walkover; J Wignall 3, W Thomas 2; N Holmes 3, M Burns 2; F Ajaib 3, F Jex 0; M Taylor 0, C Morton 3; R Large 3, T Hannan 1.

THIRD ROUND DRAW

J Dady (Baxenden Con) v T Egan (Padiham Snooker Club, 01282 680147 or 07970 562814),

R Large (Poplar) v N Holmes (Rocket Ronnies, 671325 or 07929 722405).

T Donnelly (St Paul's) v B Holden (St Mark's, 721228 or 07795 084204)

J Darby (Darwen Catholic Club) v K Ashraf (Rocket Ronnies, 01282 717085 or 07877 019966)

C Morton (Poplar) v D Clark (Poplar, 07731 576270)

P Hollings (Poplar) v K Hussain (Cuemasters, 238118 or 07955 189033)

S Ahmed (John's Snooker Club) v P Mercer (Rocket Ronnies, 826195 or 07896 587114)

F Ajaib (Padiham Snooker Club) v J Wignall (Haslingden Bowling CLub, 243741 or 07784 859403)

  • THE closing date for matches is Sunday 4 March and results must be sent to the Snooker Secretary at the Observer offices at 103 Blackburn Road, Accrington, by the following day, giving details of the highest breaks. Home players are responsible for contacting their opponents to arrange a date.