THE opening sessions of play in the Alexandra Classic sponsored by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and Scottish and Newcastle Retail were won by three local competitors, Malcolm Wensley from Clitheroe and Blackburn men Vincent O'Donnell and John Rushton.

First player to reach the third round draw for the last 16 was Malcolm who played a class above both his opponents and was never seriously challenged in either game.

He opened with a comfort- able 31-19 passage against Moston man Barry Conroy who never got into the game after conceding a 14-break from 6-6.

The eliminator against Haslingden player Ian McNeil had all the ingredients for a close contest as they both started well enough at 5-5. But an unbroken seven break followed by a further nine with just one in reply was a killer blow that virtually sealed the outcome 31-15.

Vincent O'Donnell was the eventual winner from the line-up on Saturday and had quite a tussle in his first round against Tony Lowe from Rochdale. In the early stages the homester threatened to break clear as he led 10-5 and 13-9 before the Rochdale man levelled up at 15-15.

Again, Vincent drew away 20-15 but Tony replied to level up at 20-20. The next six ends were nip and tuck until 26-26 when Vincent put together a memorable five, without reply for a well-deserved victory.

In the second round with Mark Bretherton from Bolton the scores were close until 19-19 when the Blackburn man produced a remarkable run to win with points to spare 31-20.

On the Sunday programme, it was nice to see local player John Rushton qualify after coming through two tough rounds at least on paper. In his opener he defeated Darwener Roy Pickup who has run well up in the tournament on previous occasions.

From start to finish the tie was a see-saw affair as both men provided a cracking contest for the attentive crowd of spectators. John held the advantage at 12-9 and then at 22-12 but all credit to Roy, who came back to level matters at 25-25. But to the surprise of everyone, John regained his length and composure and took control to run out 31-26.

The final tie with Chorley visitor Mark Prescott was also a good competitive contest as the score peeled on no fewer than seven occasions until 18-18. Ever-improving John held jack for six ends to go 24-18 in front and despite the efforts of Mick to get back on terms the local man held on to win 31-25.

Results: First round: M Wensley 31, B Conroy 19; I McNeil 31, A Ward 21; V O'Donnell 31, A Lowe 26; M Bretherton 31, A Gaffney 14; J Rushton 31 R Pickup 26; M Prescott 31, M Greenwood 15.

Second round: M Wensley 31, I McNeil 15; V O'Donnell 31, M Bretherton 20; J Rushton 31, M Prescott 25.

Games this weekend, 6.30pm start - Friday: P Hawkes, B Tyson, L Lawton, M Dwayer.

Saturday: M Opie, W Simpson, S Mort, D Higginbottom.

Sunday: G Hilton, B Gosling, C Slater, C Stott.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.