Matthew Davies is the maximum man

Davies achieved every player's Holy Grail – a maximum 147 break – during his Telford League Chris Ward Trophy clash with Shaun Harris at Maddocks.

And the 44-year-old, from Aqueduct in Telford, is still coming to terms with his record-breaking feat.

Davies plays for Shifnal in both the Telford League and the West Midlands League.

He said: "It's finally starting to sink in, I am starting to come to terms with what I achieved. I didn't sleep on the night and I needed a pint after the match to calm down a bit."

Davies, who was born in Cosford and lived in Albrighton until six years ago, has been one of the top players on the local scene for a number of years and is a former English Amateur champion.

He spent two years on the professional circuit from the age of 19 and recording nine maximums in practice. He works as a delivery driver for Albrighton company HL Smith.

He admitted he had to battle with the nerves as the balls rolled in on his way to the league's first maximum.

He said: "I have played a lot of snooker, but my heart was beating twice as fast as normal. I had to slow myself down."

Davies knew there was the possibility of a big break when a misjudged safety shot from Harris let him in during the opining frame.

He said: "Shaun left me in the balls and the pink had come up to by the blue, so there was only really the black on.

"But all I was thinking about was winning the frame because Shaun is a very good player and he won this individual tournament last year.

"But the reds were sitting nicely and I just kept picking them and the black off. Everything was perfect. The balls were really kind to me and I didn't run out of position.

"When I had reached 80 that's when I really thought 'this is on.' "Then it was all about making sure I got the angles right on the last couple of reds and blacks."

Having potted 15 reds and 15 blacks, clearing the colours should have been a formality for a player of Davies' ability – but the pressure continued to build.

He added: "It should have been pretty straightforward when I got to the colours, but with a maximum on there was a bit of pressure and it didn't feel too straightforward.

"It was an amazing feeling when the final black went in. Shaun was very complimentary and I don't think he could believe it."

But the historic achievement clearly got to Davies as he promptly lost the next frame in the best of five encounter before recovering his composure to knock in further breaks of 86 and 68 to win 3-2.

He said: "I lost the plot for the next frame, I was all over the place. Normally when I play well I get into a nice rhythm but my timing was all over the place.

"I just lost it really, but thankfully I managed to get my composure back. Shaun won the second frame and then I had an 86 to win the third before he made it 2-2. I was thinking 'what's going on?'

"I was a bit lucky in the last, Shaun missed a chance and I had a 68 to win."

Davies, whose previous highest break was 141, will now be looking to win the league's individual title for a 10th time as well as maintaining his impressive run of form for Shifnal.

He said: "I have had a good season so far. I have won 15 from 15 for Shifnal in the Telford League and I think I have won 13 or 14 in the West Midlands League.

"And I have had century breaks in both leagues."

While he dominates on the local tables, Davies doesn't dwell on what might have been.

He said: "I turned pro for a couple of years when I was 19, but it was too early. I couldn't get a sponsor and things didn't work out. You need money behind you.

"There is not much reward unless you make it really big. It's a bit easier these days but still very difficult. It toughened me up and I won the English amateur title at 22.

"But I have enjoyed my snooker. The standard of the local leagues is very good, especially the West Midlands League.

"That is probably the best league in the country, you only have to look at the number of century breaks that are recorded to see that."

Davies' achievement drew praise from Telford League secretary Alan Turner.

He said: "The league has been going for over 50 years, first as the Wellington League and then as the Telford League and this is the first maximum by one of our players.

"It's a fantastic achievement for Matthew. He's a very good player and he wins most things in the league.

"He has the highest four breaks in the league matches this season including a 135, but to get a maximum is really something special. I don't think he has stopped shaking yet!"