Vintage Norton
WATERLOOVILLE’S Colin Norton produced another vintage performance at the first leg of the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour.
Norton, who is based at the Craneswater Snooker Club in Portsmouth, defeated Andover’s John Hunter in the final at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club.
The 44-year-old – who has won a whole host of Masters titles at the Pontin’s festivals in Prestatyn, North Wales, and was runner-up in the 2009 English Seniors Championship – compiled a 58 break in a 2-0 victory.
Although undefeated in his seven-man round-robin group and with runs of 60, 56 and 50 under his belt and having dropped only two frames out of 12, Norton finished runner-up in Group A to Nick Birney (High Wycombe).
In the semi-finals, Birney lost out 2-1 to Hunter while Norton cruised past Group B winner Neil Carroll (Salisbury SC) 2-0.
Hunter, 44, finished second to Carroll in Group B after losing 2-0 to Trevor Thorn, from Basingstoke Conservative Club.
And he paid tribute to his 57-year-old victor’s “very cool match-play”.
“He took his chances well,” Hunter added.
The tour heads to Salisbury SC, on January 30. Then on to Jesters, Swindon, in March; and the Ambassador SC, Poole, in May.
BREAKS
Colin Norton: 60, 58, 56, 50.
John Hunter: 60.
RESULTS:
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Nick Birney (High Wycombe Liberal Club); 2nd, Colin Norton (Craneswater SC, Portsmouth); 3rd, Martin Wallace (Colours SC, Reading); 4th, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC); 5th, Richard Arnold (Salisbury SC); 6th, Chris Bone (The Academy, Basingstoke); 7th, Alan Childs (Salisbury SC).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Neil Carroll (Salisbury SC); 2nd, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Gary Hart (Salisbury SC); 4th, Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Conservative Club); 5th, Ray Mears (Sovereign SC, Farnborough); 6th, Ron Ellis (Burgh Heath Club, Surrey); 7th, Fred Pearce (Burgh Heath Club, Surrey).
SEMI-FINALS (£15, 12 points): Hunter beat Birney 2-1, Norton beat Carroll 2-0.
FINAL (£70/£30, 25/18 points): Norton beat Hunter 2-0.&