Karl wins in record-breaking Masters event

WEST Londoner Karl Townsend made a winning debut on a record-breaking day for the Cuestars Masters Tour

The brother of Championship Tour front-runner Wayne pocketed £80 in prize money after beating Colin Norton (Gosport) 2-1 in the final of the fourth leg at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury.

Townsend (Northolt) didn’t drop a single frame until his 2-1 victory in the last-four over Mark Thomas (Chorleywood).

The turnout of 20 for the SnookerHub-sponsored event was the highest in the near five-year history of the midweek circuit for players aged 55 and over.

And the highest break ever recorded was beaten twice. John Hunter (Andover) chalked up a 96 against Mark Burrell (Swindon) but that was eclipsed by Norton’s 105 against Steve Ashton (Salisbury).

Reigning champion Hunter leads the table from Norton. Neil Carroll (Southampton) is third. Masters rankings include points earned by over-55 players on the Cuestars Seniors Tour.

Salisbury Snooker Club hosts the fifth leg of eight on Wednesday, February 15.

To find out more the amateur game, visit snookerhub.co.uk.

BREAKS

Colin Norton: 105, 62, 60, 53.
John Hunter: 96, 76, 67.
Karl Townsend: 78, 73, 69, 58, 54, 53.
Mark Burrell: 60.
Steve Ashton: 60.
Mark Thomas: 51.
Steve Allen: 40.

RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Karl Townsend (Rickmansworth RBL); 2nd, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Mark Burrell (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, Al Maher (Frames, Coulsdon); 5th, Paul Burt (Salisbury SC)

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Colin Norton (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Mark Thomas (Shots, Watford); 3rd, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC); 4th, Steve Russell (Eastcote Billiards Club); 5th, Adrian Walsh (Fareham SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Steve Allen (Totton Rec); 2nd, Mark Wareham (Winton Workmens Club); 3rd, Neil Carroll (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Nick Miles (Romsey Comrades); 5th, Malcolm Slark (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Phil Butler (Bournemouth Constitutional Club); 2nd, Dennis Tristram (Shots, Watford); 3rd, Stephen Hills (Northfleet Traders Club, Gravesend); 4th, Ray Grall (Hayes WMC); 5th, Andy Darken (Feltham Constitutional Club).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Townsend 2-0 Wareham, Thomas 2-1 Butler, Norton 2-0 Tristram, Hunter 2-0 Allen.

SEMI-FINALS (£20, 15 pts): Townsend 2-1 Thomas, Norton 2-1 Hunter.

FINAL (£80/£40, 25/18 pts): Townsend 2-1 Norton.