Hunter snares brace of titles

DOUBLE snooker champion John Hunter took time out from celebrating his success on the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour to pay tribute to his fellow competitors.

After ending the six-leg tour top of the rankings, the Andover cueman swept to victory in the top-16 championship play-off at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury.

Hunter, who did not drop a single frame out of the 12 he played all day, posted a 61 break in the first frame of a 2-0 win over Wayne Muddiman in the final.

Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central Club) had also finished runner-up in the rankings battle.

“I would like to congratulate Wayne on being such a great competitor,” said Hunter.

“I know I always need to be on top of my game when I come up against Wayne. We’ve had some good battles over the last couple of seasons and I look forward to many more.”

Although living in Andover, Hunter’s practice base is Salisbury Snooker Club.

The 47-year-old also praised Cuestars debutant Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club), who he beat 2-0 in the semi-finals, and Salisbury clubmate Steve Ashton, who knocked out the 2012 champion Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe) 2-0 in the last-eight.

He said: “I’d like to say well done to Steve Allen for having such a good first year on the Seniors Tour and for Steve Ashton for achieving a good win over highly-rated Nick Birney.

“I’d also like to thank all the players that supported the Seniors Tour this season. All the events were well attended and played in a great atmosphere and spirit.”

BREAKS

John Hunter: 61.
Nick Birney: 59.

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP POSITIONS

GROUP A: 1st, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Gary Hart (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Neil Carroll (Chandler’s Ford SC).

GROUP B: 1st, Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club); 2nd, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Martin Wallace (Colours, Reading); 4th, Richard Arnold (Salisbury SC).

GROUP C: 1st, Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe); 2nd, Paul Burt (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Alan Thomas (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, Nick Miles (Ashlett Club, Fawley).

GROUP D: 1st, Wayne Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central); 2nd, Steve Tonks (Ashlett Club, Fawley); 3rd, Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Cons); 4th, Alan Childs (Salisbury SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (£10): Hunter beat Tonks 2-0, Allen beat Burt (no score recorded), Ashton beat Birney 2-0, Muddiman beat Hart 2-1.

SEMI-FINALS (£25): Hunter beat Allen 2-0, Muddiman beat Ashton 2-0.

FINAL (£100, £45): Hunter beat Muddiman 2-0.