Shirley Cons produced a sensational performance to hammer title favourites and leaders Totton Rec 5-1 to blow the Southampton League title race wide open with three weeks to go.

The result allowed second placed Chandler’s Ford Central to gain ground after they defeated Hamble Social 5-1.

Shirley’s Keith Castle’s played a blinder as he restricted Totton’s Brian Cannons to 127 points, but Totton’s Mike Kunzi impressed in beating Adrian Bridger by 69 points.

Shirley’s Mike Thatcher beat Lee Fitzpatrick, and Chris Holland (32 break) made it 3-1 after victory against Steve Allen (37).

This set up a last-frame tussle between Totton’s Tony Aldridge and Shirley’s Mark Emm.

Emm made a 36 break to win by 68 points and take the team aggregate score 931-796. Chandlers Ford Central captain Terry Azor ran riot against Hamble’s newbie Ben Spencer.

He compiled runs of 47, 44, 36 and a mesmerising 120 unfinished to take the season’s highest break so far from team-mate John Mullane.

Other winners for Chandlers were Daniel Zagaroli against Rob Shattock, making breaks of 40, 56, 81 and 36. John Mullane (70) v Will Mildenhall (36), and Graham Hollick via a walkover.

Hamble’s Tony Spridgeon beat Trevor Thorn (56) by eight points.

Curdridge RBL welcomed Sarisbury Social and went 1-0 down in the first game, thanks to improving Kas Remzi’s eight-point win over Rob Smith.

Curdridge’s Clive Gamblin (32) restored parity by beating Norman Bradfield by six points. Curdridge’s Brian Bull gave his team the lead by overcoming John Oldfield by eight points, leaving the aggregate poised at 592-586.

Curdridge’s Derek Fry defeated Geoff Knapp by 98 points and Sarisbury’s Doug Scott gave his team their second point by pipping Gwen Gamblin by nine, but the aggregate had gone 888-983 to lose 4-2.

Park Gate RBL welcomed Churchills Eastleigh and saw the first two games shared.

Churchill’s Derek Foster pipped newcomer Ian Finch by only three points while Paul Adams made a fine 78 break, but could not stop a determined Chris Christodoulou mixing some fine cannons and potting to win by 44 points.

Park Gate’s Paul Tavender overcame Peter Green by 15 points, but son Simon Green beat Paul Lawrence by 35 points.

Park Gate’s Chris Pullen kept his handicap advantage throughout his game with Dave Baker to win by 37 points, to take the match 4-2.