Birney “in good nick” in Swindon

Following his quick-fire 2-0 victory at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon, Birney admitted he knew he “was in good nick” coming into the tournament.

The 42-year-old, who compiled a century break in the group stages, was trailing by 41 points in the first frame with all three reds in safe positions.

He cleared the table with a 44 to win on the black and took control in the second with a run of 54 which kicked off with a great first red along the black cushion.

Hunter, who is based at Salisbury Snooker Club and lives in Andover, said: “Nick played brilliant. The final lasted less than half an hour!”

Earlier, both finalists and leg-one winner David Mumford (Chandler’s Ford SC) were drawn together in the group of death.

Reigning Seniors champion Birney, who plays out of High Wycombe’s Liberal Club, lost to Hunter in the group stages but “took it out” on Mumford with a 100 clearance in the second frame of his 2-0 victory.

Birney qualified in second place and beat Southampton Super League players Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club) and his old practice partner Wayne Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central Club) both 2-0 to reach the final.

“I played great all day,” he said. “I knew I was in good nick coming into this. I lost the first game of the day to John Hunter but took it all out on David Mumford, who I see as a threat to my Seniors title.

“Beating John in the final was very pleasing. So victories over David, Wayne and John made it a great day.”

Meanwhile, Hunter, who did not drop a frame until the final, accounted for Neil Carroll (Chandler’s Ford SC) and Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Cons) both 2-0 in the knockout.

Alan Thomas, finalist at the first event at Chandler’s Ford SC, again made it through the group stages but was beaten 2-1 on his home tables by Thorn in the last-eight. A win would have taken third-placed Thomas to top spot in the rankings.

Muddiman, the only other player to cruise through to the quarter-finals without dropping a frame, edged Paul Rose (Jesters, Swindon) 2-1.

Mumford failed to escape the group of death and has been joined at the top of the rankings by Hunter.

The third of the six legs is at Fareham Snooker Club on Sunday, January 27.

Nick Birney: 100, 59, 57, 54, 54.

Wayne Muddiman: 74.

John Hunter: 69, 64, 63.

GROUP A: 1st, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe); 3rd, Martin Wallace (Colours, Reading); 4th, David Mumford (Chandler’s Ford SC); 5th, Richard Arnold (Salisbury SC).

GROUP B: 1st, Alan Thomas (Jesters, Swindon); 2nd, Paul Rose (Jesters, Swindon); 3rd, Terry Teeman (Woking SC); 4th, Adrian Priestner (Jesters, Swindon).

GROUP C: 1st, Wayne Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central); 2nd, Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Cons); 3rd, Keith Beauchamp (Woking SC); 4th, David Volante (Jesters, Swindon).

GROUP D: 1st, Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club); 2nd, Neil Carroll (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Paul Burt (Salisbury SC); 4th, Ray Mears (Sovereign SC, Farnborough).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points, £10): Hunter beat Carroll 2-0, Thorn beat Thomas 2-1, Muddiman beat Rose 2-1, Birney beat Allen 2-0.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points, £20): Hunter beat Thorn 2-0, Birney beat Muddiman 2-0.

FINAL (25/18 points, £60/£30): Birney beat Hunter 2-0.