Sporting Digest: Snooker

JOHN VIRGO has decided to retire from tournaments. The 1979 UK champion says he can no longer devote time to practice because of television commitments.

THE defending champion, Jimmy White, moved into the last 16 of the Skoda Grand Prix in Reading last night when he beat Jason Ferguson 5-2.

SKODA GRAND PRIX (Reading) First round: M Williams (Wal) bt M Johnston-Allen (Eng)

5-0; D Roe (Eng) bt S Lanigan (Eng) 5-1; M Price (Eng) bt S Parnell (Eng) 5-4; A Davies (Wal) bt D Reynolds (Eng) 5-1; M Flowerdew (Eng) bt J Swail (N Irl) 5-3; S James (Eng) bt J Prince (N Irl) 5-2; J Wattana (Thai) bt D Henry (Sco) 5-2; P Ebdon (Eng) bt C Scanlon (Eng)

5-2; J White (Eng) bt J Ferguson (Eng) 5-2; K Doherty (Irl) bt S Pettman (Eng) 5-1.