Ally breaks his South Wilts duck

A TEENAGER has ended a run of 18 straight defeats in the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.

Ally Pollard (pictured) was rewarded for his perseverance with a 3-2 victory over Martin Hill (Durrington) at Salisbury Snooker Club.

The 18-year-old Silver Tour player from Alderholt, who compiled a 31 break in the match, had previously only won seven of his 90 frames in two seasons since making his league debut in 2013.

“It’s a great feeling to get a win under my belt,” he said.

“I would be lying if I said the defeats didn’t hurt but I’ve just tried to keep a positive outlook knowing that I’ve still got years of the game ahead of me and each match, whether I lose or win, will serve me well for the future.

“I’ve been unlucky in some matches this season, losing the odd frame on the colours, and I think I could have been higher up the leader board if I could close out frames better.

“Martin’s a good player and I was surprised to get the win. I’m playing okay at the moment and just want it to continue.”

Earlier, Pollard had been demolished 5-0 in 90 minutes by Neil Herd (Frome, Somerset), who recorded breaks of 67, 45, 36, 33 and 30.

Herd then added a 55 in a 4-1 win against Alex Thorn (Shrewton).

Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge) also beat Thorn 4-1 to leave him with “a small glimmer of hope” of securing fourth place.

The 18-year-old, who will win the highest-placed under-21 award, then went down 3-2 to Richard Swaffield (Salisbury).

Swaffield chalked up runs of 52, 36 and 70 to take a 3-0 lead and lost the fourth despite adding a 36.

Rice reckons he “stole” his two frames and said: “I was feeling like there was nothing I could do. I probably didn’t deserve two frames from the match as Richard outplayed me.”

With one game left, Swaffield has taken over top spot by one point but second-placed John Hunter (Andover) has a game in hand.

Results: Neil Herd 5 Ally Pollard 0, Anthony Rice 4 Alex Thorn 1, Trevor Pittman 3 Callum McDonald 2, Ally Pollard 3 Martin Hill 2, Richard Swaffield 3 Anthony Rice 2, Neil Herd 4 Alex Thorn 1, Trevor Pittman P Paul Burt P, Richard Arnold P Callum McDonald P, John Hunter P Steve Ashton P.

Report by Tim Dunkley.