IT WAS a tale of two centuries in the Cuestars South Wilts Snooker League.

One helped John Hunter edge closer to a tenth title and the other in a practice match shocked David Rice so much that he “played awful” the next day.

Hunter has a three-point lead over Richard Swaffield with two to play after blitzing Richard Arnold 5-0 at Salisbury Snooker Club

The 50-year-old admitted to “good fortune” in the first frame. A fluked red out of a snooker ended the hopes of Arnold, who had extracted the required penalty points to be in with a chance of snatching the opener.

But Hunter then played faultless snooker and chalked up breaks of 103, 67, 60 and 51 in the next four frames.

Meanwhile, David Rice received an extremely early birthday present.

The 21-year-old from Fordingbridge compiled his first century break in a practice match with Arnold.

Rice described reaching the milestone as an “incredible feeling” and admitted he was “shaking” when faced with a red on 99.

“I set myself the goal of having my first ton by December 28, my 22nd birthday,” he said. “To have one now is just an incredible feeling.

“To be honest, I didn’t believe I was good enough at the moment to make one. But I’m putting in endless hours on the practice table which has now paid off.”

The day after making the century, Rice was beaten 4-1 by Steve Ashton — who also defeated Paul Burt by the same score in a re-arranged game.

“I played awful,” said Rice, “I was still shocked at what I had done the previous night.”

But he added: “Steve was the better player.”

And David’s 19-year-old brother Anthony compiled runs of 63, 50 and 44 in a 5-0 whitewash of Burt.

Now third in the league, Rice said: “I scored well and didn’t give Paul too many chances.

“It’s a shame a few slip-ups have probably cost me a chance at winning this season as I have had a couple of good results from my last few fixtures.”