David Rice echos Ronnie O’Sullivan’s line
DAVID Rice borrowed a line from Ronnie O’Sullivan (pictured) after kicking off the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League with a trio of 3-2 victories.
The 23-year-old from Fordingbridge clinched his latest two wins on the final black at Salisbury Snooker Club.
Rice won three out of four black-ball games in a 3-2 success over Steve Ashton, which included doubling the final ball into the green pocket.
And he fought back from 2-0 down to beat Neil Carroll (Rownhams), who had unluckily gone in-off the black in the third frame, by the same score.
“I’m not concerned whether I win or lose,” insisted Rice, a comment O’Sullivan had made during last week’s Masters.
“I’m happy to have won three out of three so far as I don’t practise much anymore and I just take each frame as it comes and relax into the match.”
Meanwhile, Ashton was thumped 5-0 by league leader John Hunter (Andover).
But Ashton said: “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen him play. Unfortunately, my own performance was even worse than my normal muppetry standard.”
Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge) remains in second place following a 3-2 victory over Neil Herd (Frome).
Herd chalked up breaks of 36 and 40 – and led 2-1. Rice replied with runs of 42 and 51 – and clinched the decider on the pink.
“It was one of our better games,” said Herd, whose company Attic Life is the main sponsor of rookie professional Billy Castle.
And Paul Burt (Britford) recorded his first win of the season, beating Richard Arnold 3-2.
Results: Paul Burt 3-2 Richard Arnold, Steve Ashton 0-5 John Hunter, Neil Herd 2-3 Anthony Rice, David Rice 3-2 Neil Carroll, David Rice 3-2 Steve Ashton, Lee Stagg P-P David Rice.
Highest break: Neil Herd 59
| P | W | L | F | A | Pts | |
| John Hunter | 4 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 22 |
| Anthony Rice | 4 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 18 |
| David Rice | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 12 |
| Neil Herd | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Paul Burt | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 7 |
| Steve Ashton | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 6 |
| Lee Stagg | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Neil Carroll | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Richard Arnold | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
Picture by Matchroom Sport
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)