Class act Hunter leads South Wilts League

TWELVE-time champion John Hunter was described as a “class act” after replacing Antony Foxcroft at the top of the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.

Hunter recorded the season’s highest break of 88 in a 5-0 victory over Paul Burt in a re-arranged match at Salisbury Snooker Club.

And the 53-year-old added a 4-1 success against Mark Ridout, who took the first frame with a run of 49.

Hunter stepped up to the mark and replied with efforts of 61, 33 and 51.

Ridout said: “I know how good John is so I went into the game positive and started off well.

“I felt great and like I couldn’t miss. Then John turned it on and just potted me off table. He’s a class act.”

Foxcroft slipped to second despite notching up his third successive win.

He edged Burt 3-2 in a scrappy match that ended with a “huge slice of luck” to fluke the final black.

“Paul had no run,” he added. “But I was happy to get my third win.”

Anthony Rice beat Lee Stagg 3-2 in a game of two halves.

Rice posted breaks of 53 in the third frame and 52 in the decider to secure the bonus point.

He said: “I made countless errors in the first two frames and didn’t seem to wake up until the start of the third.

“Lee struggled at times but fought well. On another day he would have easily won the match.”

And defending champion Jake Stewart compiled a 50 break in a 5-0 whitewash of Eddie Mason.

Results: Mark Ridout 1-4 John Hunter, Paul Burt 2-3 Antony Foxcroft, Jake Stewart 5-0 Eddie Mason, John Hunter 5-0 Paul Burt, Anthony Rice 3-2 Lee Stagg, David Rice P-P Stuart Dreyer.

Highest break: John Hunter 88

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)