REGULARS and professionals pooled together on Monday night as the Greenbank hotel in Northwich hosted a table-topping night of national competition.

The Chester Road venue was chosen for a last-16 match between two of the country's best in the Embassy Professional Pool Masters.

The drama began before Darren Appleton had even arrived. The British No.1 was stuck in traffic on the M6 and arrived late for the first break.

This would normally have resulted in an automatic 3-0 lead for his opponent, Bill Hoven, but he sportingly spurned the advantage and was quickly regretting his generosity.

Appleton stormed into a 6-0 lead which gave him the perfect cushion for an 8-4 victory, taking him into the quarter-finals.

More than 30 regulars turned up to watch the match and then took the table to try to hustle the pros at their own game.

Mark Christie won the plaque for player of the night with a fine victory over Appleton, taking advantage of a rare missed pot.

Greenbank licensee Paul O'Malley said: "It was a good night and we got a good audience. Other pros also turned up from other events to play and support the night.

"The match showed some top-class pool. Darren Appleton didn't miss a shot and was right on form. He must have been wound up by being stuck on the motorway."

THE Greenbank is holding heats for the Greenalls and Bulmers Cider 1999 Amateur Pool Tournament. The closing date for entries to be submitted to the venue is this weekend.

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