Jimmy White beater targets South Wilts title
BEATING People’s Champion Jimmy White twice in exhibition in the 1990s was “my moment in the spot light” for the latest member of the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.
Neil Herd is one of three new faces to sign up for the fortnightly scratch league at Salisbury Snooker Club.
The 42-year-old, who lives in Frome, Somerset, used to compete on the Pro-Am circuit “when snooker clubs were smoky dens of iniquity” and had a “pulse”.
“It’s why I fell in love with the game,” he said. “Because of the atmosphere, especially on a competition day.”
The league was founded in 2005 in memory of former Durrington professional Graham Lee, who died suddenly in 2004 at the age of 44.
Joining Herd is one of Lee’s former teammates and practice partner, Richard Swaffield.
The multi-century breaker from Salisbury has been plying his trade on the IPA Pool Tour for the past four years.
“I’m now still playing pool but missing the snooker so I thought I would try and get back into it,” said the 42-year-old.
“Also, as it’s ten years since Graham sadly passed away, I thought it would be nice to play in this league again and see how I get on.”
New boy Anthony Rice has been installed as favourite to claim the award for the highest-placed under-21 player.
The 17-year-old from Fordingbridge, who first picked up a cue aged seven, only started playing regularly three years ago when he joined his dad’s league team, which he now captains.
Earlier this month, he won the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour leg in Swindon.
Completing the 11-strong field for the 11th season are: eight-time and defending champion John Hunter (Andover), Ally Pollard (Alderholt, near Fordingbridge), Alex Thorn (Shrewton), Callum McDonald (Bishopdown), Martin Hill (Durrington) and Trevor Pittman, Richard Arnold and Steve Ashton from Salisbury.
The first round of matches are on Thursday, November 20.
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<b>ABOUT THE CUESTARS SOUTH WILTS SNOOKER LEAGUE
THE Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League was founded in 2005 in memory of former Durrington professional Graham Lee, who died suddenly in 2004 at the age of 44.
Players from the Salisbury area compete on alternate Thursday evenings until the April 23, 2015, at Salisbury Snooker Club.
All matches are played off scratch and consist of five frames. One point is awarded for each frame won with a bonus point for the winner.
Eleven players are competing in this, the 11th season, for the Graham Lee Memorial Trophy.
The highest placed youngster will be crowned South Wilts U21 Champion.
Eight-time and defending champion John Hunter compiled the league’s highest break of 139 against Alex Thorn in the 2007/08 season.
Report by Tim Dunkley.