Snooker: Prince's 147 break wasted

JASON PRINCE has found century breaks hard to come by throughout his career but made spectacular amends with a 147 at Blackpool yesterday.

However, the maximum break was not enough to prevent the world No 39 suffering his ninth defeat in 10 matches this season. He lost 5-4 to Liverpool's Ian Brumby in the final qualifying round of the British Open in Blackpool.

Prince, who has recorded just 12 centuries in nine years as a professional, became the fifth player to compile a 147 and lose the match.

Brumby led 4-1 when Prince, from Yorkshire, who will be part of the Northern Ireland team at next week's Nations Cup in Newcastle, produced his break - the 25th maximum in the history of pro competition.

Prince's trickiest moment was the 14th red where he was forced to bridge awkwardly over the yellow. "That was probably the most important shot," he said. Full of confidence, Prince continued his comeback and claimed the next two frames before Brumby won the decider with a 68 break.

"I would definitely trade the 147 for a win. I've really got mixed feelings because although I'm obviously proud of the break I need ranking points a lot more at the moment," Prince said.