Phil Whipp has always been a force to be reckoned with on the smaller snooker tables.

For many years he starred with the Swan, Lower Darwen, and then with Hoddlesden Con Club. And he's still turning on the magic.

Whipp and Oggie team-mate Steve Eastham produced the surprise of the tournament when they took out hot favourites James Brookens and Tommy Hannon (Riley's) to reach the quarter-finals of the Borough Cup, Whipp clipping a 37 break in the second frame to tie up a fine win.

New favourites for the £250 first prize are Mick Burns and Nathan Bridges of the Stanhill, but they face a tricky match against former winners Stuart Seaton and Bob Dewhurst (Fox & Hounds), The draw: S Pendlebury, E Bufton (Riley's) 10 v Jennings, M Jennings (Borough) 5 M Burns, N Bridges (Stanhill) Scr v S Seaton, R Dewhurst (Fox) 5 S Harrop, S Woodcock (Hoddlesden) 10 v P Whipp, S Eastham (Hoddlesden) 5 S Williams, A Dippolito (Cherry Tree) 5 v D Haworth, J Johnson (ICI) 5.