Baptism of fire

TWO teenage debutants were on the receiving end of 5-0 whitewashes as the 2013/14 Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League opened for business.

Martin Hill (Durrington) welcomed 15-year-old Kaine Petty (Fordingbridge) by trebling a doubled black to take the first frame and adding breaks of 52 and 34 at Salisbury Snooker Club.

And Steve Ashton (Salisbury) posted runs of 36, 37 and 41 in his convincing win over 16-year-old Ally Pollard (Alderholt, near Fordingbridge).

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Callum McDonald (Bishopdown), who made his debut last season, is still to taste league victory after Richard Arnold (Salisbury) cruised to a 5-0 win.

Defending champion John Hunter (Andover) was pushed hard by 19-year-old century breaker James Bolton (Amesbury) in his 3-2 success.

Bolton compiled a 37 break to take the third frame but Hunter replied with a 60 to lead 3-1.

“James played really well,” declared Hunter. “He upped his game again to comfortable win the fifth.”

And Adam Guyatt (Salisbury) beat Paul Burt (Britford) 4-1 in a scrappy match.

Results: Adam Guyatt 4 Paul Burt 1, Martin Hill 5 Kaine Petty 0, Steve Ashton 5 Ally Pollard 0, Richard Arnold 5 Callum McDonald 0, John Hunter 3 James Bolton 2.

Highest break: John Hunter 60