STEVE Davis entertained more than 180 snooker fans at a thrilling exhibition evening at Snookes in Weymouth on Saturday night.

The six-time world champion took on several locals and also staged an incredible trick-shot show under the watchful eye of professional snooker referee Michaela Tabb, who in May 2009 became the first woman to officiate a World Championship final.

In the opening frame of the night, Charlie McKinlay upstaged the Nugget by knocking in a 54 break to pull off a surprise victory but it did not take long for the 53-year-old’s class to come to the fore.

Following a black ball victory over Andy Birkill, Davis went on to entertain the spectators with a mixture of witty remarks and excellent potting, which included a marvellous century.

Davis and Tabb also signed programmes and cues, and posed for photographs during the evening before the Londoner then wowed the audience with a top-class display of trick-shots to wrap up the night.

Just ahead of the show, Davis told Echosport: “I think this is my first-ever time in Weymouth. I did do an evening at Dorchester back in the mid-1980s but that club isn’t there anymore.

“I am very impressed with Snookes. The set up here is fantastic and it looks a great place to play your snooker and for youngsters to take up the game.”

McKinlay will clearly never forget his frame against Davis. He added: “It was great fun and I am still shaking now.

“At first, I wasn’t nervous but I then broke off and got it completely wrong. However, I then got into it after that and it was just a fantastic honour to play such a great player.”

Daniel Mallon was lucky enough to have a front row seat and could not praise Davis enough. He said: “Steve is a legend and it is fantastic the way he is so down to earth. It has been a superb evening and I think everyone has had a great time.”

Snookes manager Mark Cottingham, whose 10-year-old son Elliott got to play Davis before the show, said: “Everyone absolutely loved it. I had people coming up to me afterwards saying what a great night it was and both Steve and Michaela have said they would love to come back some time.

“I think Steve didn’t leave until 12.45am in the end as he stayed for over an hour afterwards talking to people about the game.

“The trick-shot show was also superb and some of the stories he told everyone while he was doing it were fantastic.”

Cottingham went on to add: “I would like to thank Steve and Michaela and all the sponsors who helped make this event happen. They include main sponsor Dorchester Carpet and Beds, Paul Why Heating & Gas Solutions, Jake Richmond Ceramics Tiles Ltd, Wey-print, WindowMan, Café Rico, Roger McGhee Estate Agents, Ian Young Plas-tering, Lloyds TSB Bank, Active Mobility, Marlboro Fish & Chips Restaurant, Cafelicious and Redferns Solutions.”

Results: Charlie McKinlay 99 (54 break) Davis 22, Andy Birkill 44 (34 break) Davis 52, Sam Buckley 12 Davis 111 (74 break), Andrew McDermott 57 Davis 56, Gary Pittman 9 Davis 83 (44 break), Simon Mould 7 Davis 111 (111 break), Dan Mackie 11 Davis 115 (54, 44 breaks), Andy Moore 9 Davis 123 (89 break), Andy Wilkinson 10 Davis 95 (56 break).

* Don’t miss in-depth interviews with Davis and Tabb in tomorrow’s Echo