Richard too steady for Eddie

OLD hand Richard Arnold was simply too steady for young gun Eddie Mason in the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.

The 56-year-old consistently out-scored his 15-year-old opponent in a fairly straightforward 5-0 whitewash at Salisbury Snooker Club.

Mason, who was competing with a bad back, said: “I was slow to get going.

“Rich potted some really nice balls throughout and very much deserved the victory.”

Meanwhile, the top three all recorded 5-0 wins.

League leader Jake Stewart compiled a 69 break in his victory over Antony Foxcroft. Third-placed Liam Tinne dispatched Graham Wallace. And Anthony Rice, two points behind Stewart and one ahead of Tinne, had a “flattering result” against Paul Burt.

Rice, who knocked in a 127 break earlier in the season, said: “It was arguably the worst match I’ve ever played in the South Wilts.

“The highest break I made throughout was 22.

“Every frame was inevitably decided on the colours where I seemed to have the tactical edge.

“I had the better run throughout, but neither of us took any of the numerous chances that were presented. It was a flattering result for me.”

The title contenders each have three matches to play.

A fifth 5-0 win this week was chalked up by Stuart Dreyer against Callum McDonald.

But Dreyer reckoned it could easily have been closer.

“Callum was unlucky not to take a frame or two,” he said.

“Overall, I think I had more run than Callum and those fractions can make all the difference to a scoreline.”

And Steve Ashton admitted he “ran out of steam” during a 4-1 defeat by Lee Stagg.

Results: Liam Tinne 5-0 Graham Wallace, Jake Stewart 5-0 Antony Foxcroft, Eddie Mason 0-5 Richard Arnold, Anthony Rice 5-0 Paul Burt, Callum McDonald 0-5 Stuart Dreyer, Lee Stagg 4-1 Steve Ashton.

Highest break: Anthony Rice 127

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)