Clark turns tables on old practice pal Mcmanus

Rhys Clark revealed that, as a young player, he was used to being thrashed in practice sessions with fellow Scot Alan Mcmanus and said that memory made yesterday’s final-frame victory over the veteran that little bit sweeter.

Seven or eight years ago, an up-and-coming Clark was a frequent practice partner of Glasgow’s Mcmanus, although the long-time professional certainly didn’t go easy on his teenage charge.

Stonehouse potter Clark was constantly on the wrong end of one-sided defeats but, now 23, he turned the tables in the first round of the Dafabet English Open in Barnsley – edging to a 4-3 triumph.

It wasn’t a vintage display, with just one half-century in the entire match, but after setting up a secondround clash with Zhang Yong, the world No 125 said he was delighted to have put a frustrating start to the season firmly behind him.

“I played well in patches, made a few good breaks and then just had to dig in for the rest of the match,” explained Clark.

“I’ve struggled this season so far, that was my first win. I’ve lost a few deciders and close frames but I’m playing well enough that I can nick a few games here and there.

“I haven’t practised with Alan so much recently but, when I was 16 or 17, I used to practise with him a lot, probably once a week. I’ve played an endless amount of frames against him.

“I definitely didn’t used to get the better of him. It was embarrassing – it was normally 10-1 or something like that! So, it was nice to get this win.”

There was disappointment for two other Scots however as Glasgow’s Stephen Maguire was beaten 4-0 by Robert Milkins and Perth’s Scott Donaldson put in a valiant display against world No 1 Mark Selby but it only resulted in a 4-3 defeat. l Watch the English Open LIVE on Eurosport 1 and Quest, featuring daily studio analysis by Ronnie O’sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.