Foster and Burnett win through to second round

Paul Foster and Darren Burnett added to the Scottish interest in next week’s second round in the Just World Indoor Championships at Potters Resort outside Great Yarmouth after both tied up straight-sets wins yesterday.

Foster was quickly out of the blocks in both sets against against 27- yearold primary school teachermi cha elc he es man from Bromley, and despite late fightbacks by the Englishman, Foster won through 9-4, 8-6.

Foster said: “I was happy with the way I played. It didn’t matter what length the jack was, I was always in the area. The carpet is a bit pushy at the far away end but you’ve just got to remember that.”

In the last match of the day, 2014 champion Burnett defeated Perth-based Aussie business development manager Paul Butler 12-0, 11-5.

“I’ve had a flu-like virus for the last couple of days. I thought I was over the worse of it but I just dipped all day,” said Burnett. “I was pleased, though, with the way I played but I’ll need to get some antibiotics to clear this up.”

The third Scot in action was Stonehaven’s Paul Hay, but he failed to display his true talent against Jamie Chestney, crashing out 15-1, 12-3 and admitted: “I just didn’t get going and that was the most disappointing factor.

“But on a positive note, I came here early and I’ve learned a lot. Hopefully I’ll manage to win another qualifying event again and get another opportunity”.

One of only three women in the line-up, New Zealand’s Debbie Wilford caused a major upset when she ousted No 10 seed Mark Royal from Suffolk to bring the total of fallen seeds to five from the 12 matches played to date.

The 55-year-old, ex-norfolk Island star, played the big shots at crucial times and scored a vital single on the last end to progress by one and half sets to a half 10-4, 7-7.

“I’m ecstatic. I like playing against men instead of women because you’ve got to play a different game,” said Wilford.