Wallace overcomes nemesis – again

MARTIN Wallace overcame his nemesis – again – to take an early lead on the Cuestars Seniors (40+) Tour.

The 54-year-old from Wokingham (pictured) pocketed £100 in prize money after seeing off old rival John Hunter 2-0 in the final of the first leg at Fareham Snooker Club.

Wallace made a 49 break to secure the opening frame and he fired in a long pink in the next after a lengthy safety battle on the colours.

The left-hander hadn’t won a Seniors tournament since his historic first ever victory over Hunter (Andover) in the final at Salisbury Snooker Club more than three years ago.

Earlier, five-time rankings champion Hunter chalked up the day’s highest break of 78 in his 2-0 semi-final win against Phil Morgan (Salisbury). This eclipsed the 74 which home player Dhar Lilly had knocked in against Hunter in the group stages of the Dransfields-sponsored event.

Morgan was appearing in the last-four for the first time for nearly three years. Wayne Muddiman (Southampton) lost 2-0 to Wallace in the second semi.

The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury, hosts the second leg of eight on Sunday, December 12.

For more information about Leeds-based Dransfields – the UK’s largest independent supplier of gaming and amusement machines to pubs and clubs – go to www.dransfields.com.

BREAKS

John Hunter: 78, 62.
Dhar Lilly: 74, 45, 44, 40.
James Height: 63.
Wayne Muddiman: 54.
Martin Wallace: 49, 47.
Kevin Collins: 47.

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP POSITIONS

GROUP A: 1st, Dhar Lilly (Fareham SC); 2nd, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Neil Carroll (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Gareth Samuel (Lytchett United RBL).

GROUP B: 1st, Kevin Palmer (Frames, Coulsdon); 2nd, David Brock (Exeter SC); 3rd, John Monckton (Top Q Club, Gloucester); 4th, Stephen Hills (Northfleet Traders Club, Gravesend).

GROUP C: 1st, James Height (Shepton Mallet); 2nd, Wayne Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central); 3rd, Ian Desmier (Break N Dish, Street, Somerset); 4th, Kevin Collins (Jesters, Swindon); 5th, Paul Lawrence (Park Gate RBL).

GROUP D: 1st, Martin Wallace (Crucible, Newbury); 2nd, Phil Morgan (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Steve Allen (Totton Rec); 4th, Andrew Darken (Feltham Constitutional Club); 5th, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC).

KNOCKOUT RESULTS

QUARTER-FINALS (12 pts): Dhar Lilly 1-2 Wayne Muddiman, Martin Wallace 2-1 David Brock, Kevin Palmer 0-2 Phil Morgan, James Height 0-2 John Hunter.

SEMI-FINALS (15 pts, £20): Wallace 2-0 Muddiman, Hunter 2-0 Morgan.

FINAL (25/18 pts, £100/£40): Wallace 2-0 Hunter.