Snooker

Steve Davis stayed on course for a record fourth Skoda Grand Prix title in Sunderland yesterday with a 5-2 victory over Wales' Matthew Stevens. Davis, the 38-year-old former world champion, turned professional when Stevens was just 12 months old. Stevens secured the opening two frames with a memorable 86 clearance in the second following an attempted three- ball plant from Davis. Davis began his fightback by taking a scrappy third frame after Stevens again forged into an early lead.

SKODA GRAND PRIX (Sunderland) Third round: A McManus (Sco) bt K Doherty (Irl) 5-1; S Davis (Eng) bt M Stevens (Wal) 5-2.