CAR accident en-route to Salisbury Snooker Club failed to seriously dent Neil Herd’s hopes of clinching the South Wilts Snooker League title.

The 42-year-old was travelling from his home in Frome, Somerset, when he was in a collision with another vehicle but no one was hurt.

He saw off Steve Ashton (Salisbury) 3-2 with breaks of 37 and 44. His opponent chalked up two runs of 38.

Herd, who was using a new cue he’d picked up earlier in the week, said: “I was pleased with the result on balance.”

Defending champion John Hunter (Andover) took a onepoint lead over Herd at the top of the table following a century break in a 5-0 whitewash of Ally Pollard (Alderholt).

Hunter compiled a 117, 64 and 44.

Fourth-placed Richard Arnold (Salisbury) managed to attain only three points in the first frame of his 4-1 win over Alex Thorn (Shrewton).

Martin Hill (Durrington) described all five frames as “hard going” in his 3-2 defeat by Paul Burt (Britford).

And Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge) reckons Callum McDonald (Bishopdown) was “pushing the boat out far too much” in his 5-0 victory.

Results: Neil Herd 3 Steve Ashton 2, Martin Hill 2 Paul Burt 3, John Hunter 5 Ally Pollard 0, Richard Arnold 4 Alex Thorn 1, Anthony Rice 5 Callum McDonald 0.