15-year-old influences South Wilts title race
BEING “bashed up” by a 15-year-old lad in a challenge match the previous day concentrated the mind of the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League leader.
It spurred John Hunter to beat title rival Neil Herd 4-1 and record the highest break of the season at Salisbury Snooker Club.
The 50-year-old ten-time champion from Andover had lost 4-2 to teenager Steven Hughes in the latest of a series of fortnightly challenge matches against the top juniors from Chandler’s Ford SC .
“Getting bashed up by Steven the day before did wonders,” admitted Hunter.
“It made sure I got to the club early and put in an hour’s practice on the table I played Neil on.
“While he struggled until he won the fourth frame, I played OK, making an important clearance of 31 to get to 3-0 and secure the bonus point.
“I really enjoyed the 89 in the final frame as it was reward for the practice I put in.”
Hunter leads Herd by four points with four games to play.
Meanwhile, third-placed Neil Carroll (Rownhams) warmed up for the southern qualifier for the 2017 World Seniors Championship at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury, with a 5-0 drubbing of Simon Peacock (Winterbourne Gunner).
Carroll said: “I had a 51 break… and Simon had a bit of a nightmare.”
John Rice (Fordingbridge) picked up his best result of the season, a 3-2 defeat by Stuart Dreyer.
Dreyer said: “I played OK in the three frames I won. John managed to win the scrappy frames. Well done to him.”
And Richard Arnold (Salisbury) missed the black for a 2-0 lead against Paul Burt (Britford), won the next frame but lost 3-2.
Results: Neil Herd 1 John Hunter 4, Neil Carroll 5 Simon Peacock 0, Stuart Dreyer 3 John Rice 2, Richard Arnold 2 Paul Burt 3, Gary Hart P Anthony Rice P, David Rice P Steve Ashton P.
Highest break: John Hunter 89
Picture by Tim Dunkley: Steven Hughes
| P | W | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Hunter | 7 | 7 | 0 | 27 | 8 | 34 |
| Neil Herd | 7 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 10 | 30 |
| Neil Carroll | 7 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 14 | 25 |
| Anthony Rice | 6 | 5 | 1 | 19 | 11 | 24 |
| Steve Ashton | 6 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 22 |
| David Rice | 6 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 13 | 21 |
| Simon Peacock | 7 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 21 |
| Paul Burt | 7 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
| Stuart Dreyer | 7 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 21 | 16 |
| Richard Arnold | 7 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 11 |
| Gary Hart | 6 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 21 | 10 |
| John Rice | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 29 | 6 |
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)