Matt Ford back in the winner’s enclosure

MATT Ford was the “standout player” of the day as the Cuestars Seniors Tour (40+) ended it’s 2025/26 campaign at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

Aided by his Rolls-Royce cue action, the 50-year-old from Bracknell knocked in a monster 127 break in the last-four against Lun Lee.

And he responded to Ian Rose’s run of 43 in the opening frame of the final with efforts of 44, 48 and 67 to prevail 3-1 and collect the £125 prize money.

It was Ford’s first Cuestars success since September, 2024.

Tournament director and referee Chris Wyatt said: “Matt really was the standout player on the day and it’s a pleasure to watch him when he is cueing so well.”

Wareham cueist Paul Davis secured his second rankings title in three years. Defending champion Dharminder Lilly is runner-up and Martin Wallace takes third place.

Steve Wheatland, Lilly, Lee, Ford and Rose all topped their round-robin groups without losing a match. Group runners-up Ray Grall, Neil Carroll, Neil Herd, Davis and Wallace all lost only to their individual group winner.

Herd and Carroll will be pleased with their preliminary knockout round 2-1 victories over Davis and Wallace respectively.

The eighth leg saw 26 breaks of 40 or more.

Organisers thanked Chandlers Ford SC for hosting the event and Zoé Thomson for looking after them.

Next up is the Seniors Championship for the top-16 ranked players, which carries a first prize of £250, on Sunday, May 3 at The Crucible Sports & Social Club in Newbury.

PRIZE MONEY: Winner Matt Ford £125; runner-up Ian Rose £60; semi-finalists Dharminder Lilly & Lun Lee £20 each; quarter-finalists Neil Herd, Steve Wheatland, Neil Carroll & Ray Grall £10 each.

Links to results: https://snookerscores.net/tournament-manager/cuestars-seniors-tour-event-8

By Tim Dunkley and Chris Wyatt