Herd’s title bid on track

NEIL Herd set off like a train against Neil Carroll in the third match of his campaign to claim a first Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League title.

The Frome potter took the opening frame of a 4-1 victory at Salisbury Snooker Club with breaks of 55 and 31 before “things got a bit scrappy”.

He added: “Neil Carroll normally always gives a good account of himself but he struggled and I took advantage.”

Herd has a one-point lead over defending champion John Hunter, who ended Steve Ashton’s fine start to the season. A run of 44 gave Ashton the lead before Hunter took the next four.

Stuart Dreyer kicked off his first win of the season with a 42 break in the first frame of his 3-2 victory over Richard Arnold.

“Overall, it was a good match which we both enjoyed,” he said.

David Rice reckons he “played quite well throughout” as he moved up to joint third with brother Anthony following runs of 46, 35 and 33 in a 4-1 success against Paul Burt.

Anthony, meanwhile, beat their bottom-of-the-table dad John 4-1.

“I always find it difficult playing a match against a family member,” he said.

“It was another fairly scrappy affair. I went 4-0 up and he potted a nice blue, pink, and black to steal the final frame.

“I suppose I should be pleased that I’ve managed to fall over the line in all of my matches so far without any scoring power.”

And Simon Peacock, The Tornado from Winterbourne Gunner, claimed his first win bonus in a “gruelling match” against Gary Hart.

Peacock, who prevailed 4-1, said: “Both of us missed chance after chance but I seemed to take a few more than Gary and that’s what brought me out on top.”

Results: John Hunter 4 Steve Ashton 1, Simon Peacock 4 Gary Hart 1, David Rice 4 Paul Burt 1, Neil Herd 4 Neil Carroll 1, Anthony Rice 4 John Rice 1, Stuart Dreyer 3 Richard Arnold 2.

Highest break: John Hunter 72

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)