Hunter on the rampage in South Wilts League

DEFENDING champion John Hunter went on the rampage against Paul Burt in the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.

Hunter (Andover) racked up breaks of 53, 51, 50, 46 and 40 in a 5-0 whitewash at Salisbury Snooker Club.

And Anthony Rice inflicted a first defeat of the season on newcomer Lee Stagg in an all-Fordingbridge clash.

The 20-year-old, who is two points adrift of league leader Hunter, kicked off a 4-1 victory with a run of 51 and wrapped up the fifth frame with a 49.

Rice said: “Lee missed a few key balls at the start that let me take a 3-0 lead.

“He played some good tactical stuff to take the fourth.

“I will need to start playing better in the new year to have any hope of challenging at the top, though.”

Elsewhere, Neil Carroll (Rownhams), whose match against Richard Arnold was postponed, climbed seven places to 22nd on the World Seniors Tour after his latest excursion up country.

The 53-year-old (pictured) beat Dennis O’Sullivan (Hounslow) 3-1 at Dunstable Snooker Club.

But he admitted that he struggled during his first experience of a professional standard Star table in the next round and went out 3-0 to sixth-placed Aidan Owens (Lowestoft).

Results: Anthony Rice 4-1 Lee Stagg, John Hunter 5-0 Paul Burt, Richard Arnold P-P Neil Carroll, David Rice P-P Steve Ashton.