ONE was “delighted” and the other admitted he was “nervous” after the two new boys had opened the 2015/16 Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League season.

Simon Peacock clawed back a 2-1 deficit to overcome fellow debutant David Rice 3-2 as the 12th campaign cued off at Salisbury Snooker Club.

Apart from the fourth frame in which Peacock made a 31 break, the rest were decided on the last three colours.

Rice, 20, from Fordingbridge said: “I was a bit nervous after all the hype was created about him.

“Neither of us got going and it was a very scrappy match.

“The final frame could have gone either way. I had a good chance to win it but I broke down on 16.”

The highest break of the first week’s action was a 64 fashioned by Neil Herd (Frome) in the opening frame of his 4-1 victory over Richard Arnold (Salisbury).

Defending under-21 champion Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge) - David Rice’s brother - accounted for Steve Ashton (Salisbury) 4-1.

“I’ve been on some great form lately, but I didn’t score the way I expected to,” admitted the 18-year-old. “I had a poor start and I was a little nervous.

“Steve is a good match player and I knew it would be a tough game. (But) 4-1 was not really a fair reflection of the match and Steve will probably be disappointed.

“Regardless of how I won the match, I’m happy with the result and it could prove important at the end of the season.”

Nine-time and defending champion John Hunter (Andover) kicked off with breaks of 61 and 52 in a 5-0 victory over 16-year-old Callum McDonald (Bishopdown).

Paul Burt (Britford) was “pleased” with his start despite going down 3-2 to last season’s runner-up Richard Swaffield (Salisbury) after missing the black for a 35 clearance from 34 behind in the first frame.

Swaffield, who made it 2-0 with a run of 47, said: “Paul played a solid safety game and had me under pressure in a few frames.

“I won two frames comfortably but the other three were all on the last few colours and could’ve gone either way.”

And Neil Carroll (Rownhams) said his 3-2 defeat by Trevor Pittman (Salisbury) was “one for the connoisseur”.

P W L F A Pts

John Hunter 1 1 0 5 0 6

Neil Herd 1 1 0 4 1 5

Anthony Rice 1 1 0 4 1 5

Rich Swaffield 1 1 0 3 2 4

Trevor Pittman 1 1 0 3 2 4

Simon Peacock 1 1 0 3 2 4

Paul Burt 1 0 1 2 3 2

Neil Carroll 1 0 1 2 3 2

David Rice 1 0 1 2 3 2

Steve Ashton 1 0 1 1 4 1

Richard Arnold 1 0 1 1 4 1

Call McDonald 1 0 1 0 5 0

Highest break: Neil Herd 64