Crash fails to dent title hopes

SOMEONE drove into the back of Neil Herd en route to Salisbury Snooker Club for his latest match in the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.

It was lucky that the 42-year-old (pictured) was not on foot. The car accident failed to seriously dent Herd’s hopes of clinching the title as he recovered to see off Steve Ashton (Salisbury) 3-2 with breaks of 37 and 44. His opponent chalked up two runs of 38.

Herd, who was using a new cue he’d picked up earlier in the week, said: “I was quite pleased with the result on balance.”

Defending champion John Hunter (Andover) took a one-point lead over Herd at the top of the table following a century break in a 5-0 whitewash of Ally Pollard (Alderholt, near Fordingbridge).

Hunter, who also made last season’s highest break of 97 against Pollard, compiled a 117, 64 and 44.

“That’s the best I’ve played this season,” said the 48-year-old. “And Ally said I saved my best snooker for him last season as well.”

Pollard, 17, said: “He played really well, of course. It was nice to see my first ever ton in person.

“My safety wasn’t up to scratch and I didn’t take the few chances I had. But playing a person like John, there’s pressure on every ball and every safety.”

Fourth-placed Richard Arnold (Salisbury) managed to chalk up only three points in the first frame of his match against Alex Thorn (Shrewton).

After rallying to win the next four, he said: “It was a flattering result given the closeness of three of the frames.”

Martin Hill (Durrington) described all five frames as “hard going” in his 3-2 defeat by Paul Burt (Britford)

And Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge) reckons Callum McDonald (Bishopdown) was “pushing the boat out far too much” in his 5-0 victory.

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

Report by Tim Dunkley.