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Pagett and Preece Progress as Stevens Stumbles
• Andrew Pagett made the perfect start to the season winning two matches and progressing through to the quarter final stage of The TCC Open Championship.
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By
Neil Tomkins
Friday,
11 July, 2008
A three-frames-to-one win over Paul Collier, who is more familiar being at the table with a pair of white gloves than a cue, was followed with a comfortable win over crowd-favourite, Matthew Stevens.
Pagett made a 58 break to take the opening frame and then a steady succession of mid-sized breaks gave him an easy four-nil win over the former UK Champion.
Stevens looked half the man he used to be, as a gruelling gym regime during the ‘closed-season’ pays off.
He said, “I played rubbish all last season, but still just missed out on regaining my top-16 ranking. I try not to get obsessed by ranking position, but it is difficult when other people keep ramming it down your throat.
I am interested in winning tournaments and think I can do that again. I have worked hard in the gym in an effort to be fitter and better prepared. The plan is to start the hard work on the table next week ready for the Northern Ireland Trophy qualifiers next month.
Tonight’s result is disappointing but I am not too bothered as he (Pagett) played really well, he looks like he has improved a lot”.
In the other section of the draw, former IBSF world champion, Ian Preece also eased through whitewashing Rhydian Richards, including an impressive 134 clearance.
Pagett and Preece will face each other in the quarter-final in a few weeks time.
©Global Cue Sports Ltd & CueFactor Ltd. 2008.
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