Spooky

Nick broke in the opening quarter-final frame and Richard Binns potted a long red but cannoned the black. The cue ball settled into the back of the pack leaving him snookered on all colours. The Leeds man conceded 76 points in fouls under the ‘miss’ rule before finally hitting the green.

But, as noted by tournament director Malcolm Thorne, brother of the Great WT - former professional and BBC commentator Willie Thorne, Richard was wearing a shirt with the number 76 on the back.

And in the previous round he made a 76 break.

But the Leicestershire jinx struck again as 15-year-old Nick lost a third under-21 final in four months.

In a repeat of the previous week’s under-19 comp at Andy Voyce’s Rushden, Aldershot’s Ryan Mears beat Nick and by the same score, 3-1.

Also in a repeat of the Rushden result, Ryan beat Londoner Danny Douane in the quarters, and saw off Southampton’s Alex Dunkley by the same score, 3-2, both times.

In today’s Under-21 Roll-Up at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club, EASB referee Steve Hildyard was forced to do a re-draw because of some unexplained cock-up with the numbers.

Referee Steve Hilyard

This pleased: Dan who didn’t fancy his chances against Shane, Kevin who wasn’t relishing playing Jack and Arron wasn’t looking forward to facing Jordan.

The first three matches of the re-draw were: Dan v Shane to gasps from the onlookers, Kevin v Jack to howls of laughter and Arron v Jordan to an incredulous silence. At which point we expected Steve to sprout a pair of horns.

And today’s date: 07-07-07.

Picture: Carol France