STEPHEN HENDRY has reached a new peak in his snooker-playing career.

For having mesmerised opponents and delighted his fans at the likes of The Crucible in Sheffield, Glasgow's Kelvin Hall, Wembley Arena and Preston Guild Hall, the World No.1 has just completed an engagement at Bury's Duck Club!

And what a marvellous reception he received from a sell-out crowd of enthusiasts, a welcome which was only eclipsed by his performances on the green baize of the Duck Club or, to give it its official title, Huntley Unionist Club.

The six-time World Professional Snooker Champion was in town at the request of his friend Frank McDougall, a former player with Aberdeen who has since swopped the Granite City for residency in Bury.

While a player at Pittodrie, McDougall paraded his skills in European competition and was one of Hendry's sporting heroes. Now, no pun intended, the boot is on the other foot but the respect is mutual.

With help from Kevin Newbery, some of the best snooker players in town were ranged against Hendry and Dave Holt raised local hopes when taking the last four colours would have given him victory. But it wasn't to be.

Nicely warming to his task, Hendry overcame his next four opponents with breaks of 52, 82, 99 and 105. At the same time he conceded only 40 points but veteran Graham Lambert came out of retirement to give a good account of himself. Top-ranked (216) local professional Steve Kershaw was on the brink of victory until he played a 'gallery' shot on the pink and Lee Marney also pushed Hendry all the way in a best of three challenge

The Scot comfortably won the first frame but then Marney opened up with a 66-break and position on the black to go on to 73 and beyond. He missed and with a maximum 67 on the table, the best player the world has seen calmly cleared the table.

That should have been the end of the snooker but Hendry threw out a challenge to McDougall. It was fun, but kinder to draw a veil of discreet silence over the action!

Master of Ceremonies Sid Royds then supervised a charity raffle in aid of the family of the late Ian Murray and when Keith Bell returned his second prize of the night, a bottle of gin, Hendry added to a glowing reputation by jumping the bidding in an auction from £20 to £100 to secure the bottle.

After that it was smiles, chats, photographs and autographs for more than an hour from a relaxed Hendry who made certain that nobody was left out of the limelight.

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