SNOOKER: SNOOKER fanatic Malcolm Dring will go head-to-head with world number one Mark Williams in January.
The 34-year-old won the Chronicle's tournament at Rileys Snooker Club on Friday with the prize being a frame against Williams before the start of the 2004 Premier Snooker League series at Legends Sports Club, Crewe, on January 10.
'I saw Mark go out of the UK Championships at the weekend and I thought 'You've got me next!' he said.
Malcolm, from Newcastle, has been playing snooker since he was 10 years old. He was ready to turn professional 14 years ago but lost two fingers in an industrial accident.
'I only have two fingers on my left hand but I can still play okay, but I haven't taken part in many tournaments recently. In fact, this was the first one I've entered in five years. I've been practising hard for the last few months on tables with tight bags and I'm really looking forward to playing Mark.'
Malcolm, who cleans the tables at Rileys on a part-time basis, plays at the Breaks Club in Newcastle and has hit a maximum 147 break in the past.
He also has previous experience of taking on one of the game's big names.
'I once played Jimmy White in an exhibition match,' he explained. 'He let me in for a big score but I got a nasty kick off the white going for one red and that cost me 50-odd points!'
