Swaffield retains South Wilts lead
RICHARD Swaffield clawed back a 50-point deficit with four reds left in the deciding frame of his Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League clash with Anthony Rice.
The 43-year-old (pictured) was set to relinquish top spot before a “silly mistake” by his teenage opponent from Fordingbridge.
Rice, 18, had forced a decider from 2-0 down and had built up a comfortable lead in the fifth frame.
But Swaffield took two reds and blacks, extracted the penalty points from a snooker, potted yellows with the remaining two reds and cleared the colours to snatch a 3-1 victory on the black.
“I think he thought he had the win,” said Swaffield, who added. “It was a scrappy match which probably deserved a draw.”
Elsewhere at Salisbury Snooker Club, Paul Burt (Britford) climbed one place to seventh despite having lost all five matches this season by 3-2 scorelines.
The latest came against defending champion John Hunter (Andover), who produced “the craziest fluke I’ve ever had” in the third frame.
With a red on the lip of a middle pocket and no safety shot available, Hunter smashed at the black, which was tightly tucked in amongst the remaining reds, and it somehow found the top corner pocket.
“Paul played really well and took his chances,” he said. “I was very relieved to get a win.”
Richard Arnold beat Callum McDonald (Bishopdown) 5-0 to record his first win of season.
Trevor Pittman compiled a 46 break in the first frame of a 3-2 win against David Rice (Fordingbridge).
Rice, who lost the decider on the blue, said: “He was playing very well. I’m starting to see some really good improvements in my match game and with my temperament when behind.”
Simon ‘The Tornado’ Peacock (Winterbourne Gunner) continued to live up to his nickname by dispatching Neil Herd (Frome) 3-2 in just 65 minutes.
And Neil Carroll (Rownhams) climbed one place to fourth following a 3-2 win over Steve Ashton (Salisbury).
League leader Swaffield has a one-point advantage over Hunter. Peacock is one point further back.
Results: Richard Arnold 5 Callum McDonald 0, Neil Carroll 3 Steve Ashton 2, David Rice 2 Trevor Pittman 3, Richard Swaffield 3 Anthony Rice 2, John Hunter 3 Paul Burt 2, Simon Peacock 3 Neil Herd 2.
Report by Tim Dunkley.