In the two matches played last week in the Kingsway Club, Bishop Auckland, Mike Thornton of Darlington and John Bourne of Horden moved into the second round after winning very tight, enthralling games.

In the first match Thornton met George Chapman of Bishop Auckland and got away to an early lead in the first frame when he put in a 22 break. Chapman made life very difficult as he tried and succeeded in laying a number of snookers but Thornton clinched the frame by 71-48.

The second frame saw two masters of the safety game give very little away and points were hard to come by. However it Chapman who edged ahead and held on to take the frame at 60-50. It looked as if Chapman would build on his success as he moved ahead in the third with a 22 break, which left Thornton needing the remaining colours from the green. A slipped safety shot by Chapman on the green left Thornton a chance which he readily took and completed a 63-56 win with a 25 break. In the fourth frame Thornton showed why he will be one of the favourites for the competition when he coasted through to a 61-10 win.

On the other table John Bourne met Ian Renwick of Witton Gilbert with the first scoring shot only coming after both players had played nine safety shots each. There was never anything between the players in the first frame but Renwick did build up a slender lead. However Bourne cleared the colours from the green to take the frame at 43-33.

In the second frame Bourne edged into an early lead but then Renwick took advantage of a slip and found his length, knocking in a decisive 36 break. Bourne tried to close the gap but conceded on the green when Renwick led 64-29. The Witton Gilbert player should have gone ahead when he was pushed 50-37 ahead when Bourne went in-off the blue. However Renwick missed a good chance at the blue, which Bourne took and added the pink and black to take the frame at 55-50.

This reversal seemed to have a major affect on Renwick's confidence as he began to miss shots he would normally have taken. Bourne was able to steadily edge through to a 56 victory.

On Thursday, Billy Goggins of Old Shildon Club plays Paul Harland of Darlington Riley's, whilst Jimmy Dufton of Stanley Central Club meets John Ferguson of Darlington Riley's. Spectators are welcome and entry is free. However some are having difficulty in reaching the venue, but all that is needed is to find the Lightfoot Institute in Kingsway, go in the front door and up the stairs for the matches, which commence at 7.30pm.