Snooker: Foulds folding crisis

(First Edition)

NEAL FOULDS made a series of amazing errors to allow Alan McManus to reach the quarter-finals of the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley Conference Centre yesterday. McManus recovered from poor positions in four frames to record a 5-1 second-round victory over the world No 5.

The pattern was established in the opening two frames. McManus won the opener with a 42 clearance to pink, after he had trailed 43-0, and added the second when Foulds missed a simple black off its spot, leaving it hanging over the top pocket.

Foulds led 42-0 in the next, but after a mistake attempting a snooker, let McManus in for a frame-winning 63 break.

Runs of 54 from McManus and 73 from Foulds saw the following two frames shared before the Scotsman - up to fourth in the provisional rankings and enjoying easily his most consistant season - completed the most audacious steal of the contest.

Foulds, in search of the Jaguar XJS prize for a 147 maximum break, potted the first nine reds and eight blacks. But just when the keys to the pounds 32,500 car looked on their way into his pocket, Foulds missed a black on its spot and McManus responded with a 71 clearance to advance and play Steve Davis.

BENSON AND HEDGES MASTERS (Wembley Conference Centre): First round: K Doherty (Irl) bt D Morgan (Wal) 5-3. Second round: A McManus (Sco) bt N Foulds (Eng) 5-1.