Snooker: Players fail to oust Williams

REX WILLIAMS yesterday won his battle to keep his place as the head of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

Eight of the game's leading players, including Stephen Hendry and John Higgins, had tried to overthrow Williams, the chairman of the WPBSA, and his fellow directors. For months, there has been a bitter conflict between the two sides, but at an extraordinary general meeting in Preston yesterday, a resolution to remove the directors of the Association was defeated by 38 votes to 34.

"I'm naturally pleased with the result and now I want to work with everyone to ensure the game prospers. It is imperative for the sake of the game that we have unity," Williams said. "The game needs change. Hopefully now we'll be allowed to get on with it and implement the changes we want.

"If I don't think I can achieve what I want to achieve, I will go anyway. I'm 65 and want to go back and enjoy what I was doing in my retirement."