Wild hopes to bounce back

MOORSIDE snooker ace Michael Wild suffered a rare setback in his bid to secure a place in two major international tournaments.

The potting machine travelled to Walsall for the fourth of six English Snooker and Billiards events designed to identify three players to represent the country in the European and World Opens.

Wild (33) went into the event at the top of the English rankings, but this fourth ESB event saw the player return from a winter holiday to lose 4-3 in the first round.

Wild is still in the driving seat for a place in the two big Open competitions later in the season. He needs to finish in the first three in the ESB rankings and to give a prominent show in the next event in London in March to secure his ticket.

Victory in the red-hot competition of either the European or World Open would secure a place on next year’s professional Tour.


MARTIN Kennedy was the star of the show as North Chadderton ‘B’ whitewashed Three Cs ‘B’.

His opening break of 30 was followed by a superb 67 clearance, a performance which proved to be the highlight of the match despite the excellence of his team-mates’ play.

Leaders North Chadderton ‘A’ were held 3-3 by Three Cs ‘A’ for whom K Rashid and A Mellor posted big