IF Richard Swaffield does land his first Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League title, he may reflect on a most unlikely victory over Trevor Pittman.

Second-placed Swaffield fought-back from 2-0 down, levelled with a 50 break, needed a snooker in the decider, fluked the blue and won a respotted black. The 42-year-old “scraped” the 3-2 win in the three-hour rearranged game at Salisbury Snooker Club.

Swaffield, now one point behind John Hunter, later recorded runs of 40, 39 and 39 while beating Richard Arnold (Salisbury) 5-0.

Meanwhile, Alex Thorn gave eight-time and defending champion Hunter a “thumping” – at least in the first frame. Without a point to his name, Hunter conceded with two reds left and then trailed by more than 30 in the second.

But the league leader from Andover responded with breaks of 44 and 55 to run out a 4-1 winner.

Neil Herd (Frome, Somerset) conceded defeat in the title race after dropping two frames to Callum McDonald (Bishopdown).

Herd, now in third place, compiled runs of 45, 43 and 35 in his 3-2 win.

Steve Ashton (Salisbury) made a 31 in his 4-1 victory over Martin Hill (Durrington).

Bottom in the standings, Ally Pollard (Alderholt) lost the third frame on a re-spotted black and never really got going in a 5-0 defeat by Paul Burt (Britford).

And Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge), who made a 55 break in the first frame and led 3-0, said Pittman “played well” to bring it back to 3-2.