Norton leads Masters rankings

COLIN Norton has replaced John Hunter at the top of the Cuestars Masters (55+) Tour rankings.

The 56-year-old from Gosport beat his title-rival from Andover 2-0 in the final of a high-scoring third leg at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club

Norton took the first frame with a 71 break and secured victory with a run of 41.

Defending champion Hunter, who admitted he had a couple of chances in the second frame, dropped to second place.

But the highest break of the SnookerHub-sponsored event wasn’t recorded in the final. That honour was reserved for a brilliant 87 by Phillip Butler (Bournemouth).

There was another great turnout of 14 players for the midweek over-55 circuit.

Ray Grall (Staines) qualified for the knockout for the first time. Mark Wareham (Wimborne) climbed to tenth place after losing in the last-four for the second tournament running. And Butler moved up to eighth place after reaching his first semi-final.

The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury, hosts the fourth leg of eight on Wednesday, January 11.

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

BREAKS

Phillip Butler: 87.
John Hunter: 78, 60, 40.
Colin Norton: 71, 63, 61, 52, 44, 41.
Neil Carroll: 40.
Steve Ashton: 34.

RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Ray Grall (Hayes WMC); 3rd, Stephen Hills (Northfleet Traders Club, Gravesend); 4th, Malcolm Slark (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Colin Norton (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Mark Wareham (Winton Workmens Club); 3rd, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC); 4th, Mike Bennison (Salisbury SC); 5th, Jeff Payne (West Byfleet Social Club).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Phil Butler (Bournemouth Constitutional Club); 2nd, Andy Darken (Feltham Constitutional Club); 3rd, Neil Carroll (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Paul Burt (Salisbury SC); 5th, Adrian Walsh (Fareham SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Hunter 2-0 Ashton, Norton 2-0 Carroll, Butler 2-1 Grall, Wareham 2-0 Darken.

SEMI-FINALS (£15, 15 pts): Hunter 2-0 Wareham, Norton 2-1 Butler.

FINAL (£70/£40, 25/18 pts): Norton 2-0 Hunter.