Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham saw his brave bid to win the £40,000 Benson and Hedges Championship end at the quarter-final stage last night.

From a starting line-up of 194, Bingham, based at the Executive Club in Leigh, started yesterday's proceedings brightly at Towers Club in Mansfield when he beat Welshman Paul Davies 5-2 in round six to earn a place in the last eight.

However, he faltered in his bid for a semi-final spot when he went down 5-4 to Londoner Barry Hawkins, who was today meeting fellow Englishman Mark Davis for a place in the 17-frame final.

Bingham produced his best snooker of the week despite the defeat, recovering from 3-1 and 4-3 down to force the ninth frame decider.

He said: "I suppose it's better than losing in the final, but I'm gutted because that's the best I've played in the tournament.

"I always knew it was going to be a tough game because Barry is a class player."

Published Wednesday October 30, 2002

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