Rugby League: Davis displays his mastery

(First Edition)

STEVE DAVIS maintained his fine run of form in the first round of the British Open in Plymouth yesterday. Davis, who won his eighth Irish Masters title last weekend, earned a solid 5-2 victory over Glasgow's Paul McPhillips.

Davis, who has also won the Welsh Open this year, has moved above Stephen Hendry to first place in the provisional world ranking list. 'I know that somewhere along the line I'm bound to get a kick in the teeth. I'm just trying to fight off thoughts about it,' he said.

Tony Drago, attempting to force his way into the top 16 for the first time in nine years as a professional, completed a 5-2 victory over Scunthorpe's Matthew Couch in style, with a 130 total clearance.

The former world junior champion, Brian Morgan, hammered Tony Jones 5-0. He will now play Davis in the last 32.