ANTHONY Rice was overwhelmed by “the John factor” in the first four frames of his Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League clash against the defending champion.

The teenager changed his tactics after league leader John Hunter smashed in a 121 break for a 4-0 lead at Salisbury Snooker Club, the cueman’s third ton of the season.

“Whenever I was on the shot, I was constantly worrying about what I would leave if I missed.

“In the final frame, I felt I had nothing left to lose. I went on to win the frame in two visits with breaks of 32 and 38.”

Meanwhile, title contender Neil Herd (Frome, Somerset), one point adrift in second place, kept up the pressure with breaks of 39 and 44 in a 4- 1 victory over Richard Arnold.

Elsewhere, Steve Ashton praised 16-yearold Callum McDonald (Bishopdown) for owning up to two fouls in a 5-0 drubbing.

Alex Thorn (Shrewton) dispatched Ally Pollard (Alderholt) by the same score. And Martin Hill (Durrington) admitted he “did enjoy some decent run” of the balls in a 4-1 win over Trevor Pittman.