Six for the best

SIX-time champion John Hunter ended this season’s campaign on an over-55’s snooker circuit with a sixth tournament win of the season.

The 60-year-old from Andover defeated Mark Thomas 2-0 in the final to clinch the eighth and last leg of the Cuestars Masters Tour on home tables at Salisbury Snooker Club.

But he was relieved to edge leg-seven winner Neil Carroll 2-1 in the last-four of the event that was sponsored by Herman Desmier.

Hunter said: “Neil gave me a very tough match in the semi-final.

“I thought I was done for in the decider but luckily some high-risk shots came off.”

Chorleywood cueist Thomas was appearing in his first final since May, 2024, in Newbury.

Brian Sharpe’s 63 break was his highest in a Cuestars tournament. Richard Arnold made the last-four for the first time on the Masters Tour.

Hunter was crowned rankings champion for the sixth successive season on the midweek circuit for players aged 55 and over which is sponsored by Dennis Tristram.

Carroll overtakes David Moritz to claim the runner-up spot.

Prize money: Winner John Hunter £80, runner-up Mark Thomas £45, semi-finalists Neil Carroll & Richard Arnold £25 each.

Next up is the Cuestars Masters Championship at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury, on Wednesday, May 6. The top-16 ranked players will compete for £150 in prize money plus a trophy.

Results are on snookerscores.net: https://snookerscores.net/tournament-manager/cuestars-masters-tour-event-8

Picture: Mark Thomas (left) and John Hunter