Century-breaker Hunter piles on the pressure

In a repeat of last month’s final in Newbury, the 46-year-old (left) defeated title-rival Nick Birney 2-0 in the fifth-leg final at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon.

But Hunter, who is based at Salisbury Snooker Club, reckoned his “toughest” match of the day was his first group-stage game against the home club’s Paul Rose.

After securing the third frame with a rare century, Hunter said: “My first match of the day was my toughest.

“Paul made a brilliant 33 break from behind to win the first frame. And after winning a nervy second frame to draw level, I made 108 to win the match, missing the green with a 133 on.”

That was the only frame Hunter dropped in four round-robin matches. He defeated Group B runner-up Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Conservative Club) 2-0 in the last-four.

Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe) accounted for Neil Carroll (Salisbury SC) 2-0 in the second semi to maintain his 100 per cent record this season of reaching the final.

The fifth of the six legs is on Sunday, April 15, at Fareham Snooker Club.

John Hunter: 108, 87, 68, 60, 53.

Paul Rose: 33.

GROUP A: 1st, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe); 3rd, Martin Wallace (Colours, Reading); 4th, Paul Rose (Jesters, Swindon); 5th, Alan Thomas (Jesters, Swindon).

GROUP B: 1st, Neil Carroll (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Conservative Club); 3rd, Gary Hart (Salisbury SC); 4th, Ray Mears (Sovereign SC, Farnborough); 5th, Alan Childs (Salisbury SC).

SEMI-FINALS (12 points, £10): Hunter beat Thorn 2-0, Birney beat Carroll 2-0.

FINAL (25/18 points, £55/£25): Hunter beat Birney 2-0.