King John the ninth
Hunter (Andover) then whitewashed Callum McDonald (Bishopdown) 5-0 in his final game but praised the 16-year-old’s matchplay.
“I was impressed with Callum as he’s improved both his skills and his temperament,” he said. “So much so that I needed to clear from the last two reds to win the final frame on the black.”
Swaffield had to settle for second place in the league and second place in the high-break list.
In the first frame of his 3-2 victory over Neil Herd (Frome) and five days before his 43rd birthday, Swaffield hit the ground running with a 99.
He could have taken the black on 93 for the ton but opted for pink to give himself half a chance of getting on the yellow in a bid to clear the table.
“The yellow was close to the baulk cushion,” he explained. “And pink and black were on each other’s spots. So, on 93, I could have rolled a straight black in for the ton but no position on the yellow.
“But with John’s high break in mind, I chose to play the pink with loads of reverse side to get on the yellow. I didn’t get nice on the yellow and rattled it.”
Elsewhere, Richard Arnold subjected McDonald to another 5-0 defeat, outplaying the teenager in all departments – particularly long potting, which is the strength he normally relies on to get a foothold in matches.
And Rice (Fordingbridge) must sweat on other results to hold on to fourth place after a 3-2 defeat by Paul Burt (Britford).
Burt, who started well with a run of 46 but then went 2-1 down, said: “It was a good match although quite scrappy. I never lost hope.”
Rice, 18, the highest placed under-21 player, said: “It was disappointing to end the season with a defeat but it hasn’t been a bad debut season.
“I hope next season I can give the top players a bit more of a run for their money.”
Results: Richard Arnold 5 Callum McDonald 0, Neil Herd 2 Richard Swaffield 3, John Hunter 5 Callum McDonald 0, Paul Burt 3 Anthony Rice 2, John Hunter 4 Steve Ashton 1, Trevor Pittman 3 Richard Arnold 2, Martin Hill P Alex Thorn P, Steve Ashton P Ally Pollard P, Trevor Pittman P Paul Burt P.
Report by Tim Dunkley.