Townsend ends Hunter’s run in Reading

KARL Townsend has ended John Hunter’s run of success on the Cuestars Masters Tour.

The 59-year-old from Northolt beat the runaway rankings leader 2-0 in the final of the fourth leg at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Reading.

Hunter had won the first three events this season on the midweek circuit for players aged 55 and over which is sponsored by Dennis Tristram.

Earlier, Townsend recorded the day’s highest break of 59.

It was a blast from the past for Cuestars debutant Paul Smith, from Stevenage, who remembered when Hunter played at the Berkshire Snooker Club, Windsor, in the 1980s.

Organisers thanked the Crucible staff for looking after the 18-strong field so well.

And the tour wished Phil Butler a speedy recovery after his week in hospital.

Prize money: Townsend £80; Hunter £65; semi-finalists Jim Carson and Paul Smith £20 each; quarter-finalists Mark Evans, Andy Norman, David Moritz and John Rees £10 each.

The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury, hosts the fifth leg of eight on Wednesday, January 14.

Results on https://snookerscores.net/tournament-manager/cuestars-masters-tour-event-4.

Picture: Karl Townsend (left) and John Hunter