Basildon snooker star Stuart Bing-ham was on top form last night to win a place in the main stages of the first ranking tournament of 2005.
Bingham beat Harrow's Alfie Burden 5-2 at Pontin's Prestatyn to earn a first round proper date with one of the game's top up-and-coming talents, Stephen Maguire, in the Welsh Open in Newport a week today.
Maguire, recent winner of the Travis Perkins UK Championship, has moved up to third in the provisional rankings.
Last night in a high quality affair, Bingham had a winning break of 83 to take the first frame.
But Bingham fell behind when Burden replied with a 64 and 84 to take the lead. But the new towner was not to be denied.
He reeled off breaks of 62, 81 and 113 to cruise home in the third qualifying round affair.
Bingham's Basildon colleague Brian Salmon crashed out in the opening qualifiers when he lost 5-3 to Paul Wykes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article