Snooker: MacKenzie into second round

Dec 3 2008 by David Rinaldi, Paisley Daily Express

ERSKINE potter Scott MacKenzie gained revenge over Irishman Vincent Muldoon to book his place in the second qualifying round of the Maplin UK Championship at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

The 28-year-old had lost to Galway’s Muldoon at the same stage of qualifying for the Bahrain Snooker Championship but he made up for that loss with his best win of the season in Yorkshire.

MacKenzie seized control from the off and reeled off five frames in succession as he looked set to steamroller his 18-year-old rival.

However, the teenager fought back to take the next three frames and reduce the arrears to 5-3. But MacKenzie regained his composure to close out the match 9-4 and book a second qualifying round clash with Mark Davis.

But despite the convincing victory, he wasn’t overly enthused with his own performance saying: “I didn’t play well but a win’s a win. It seems I don’t know how to win easily.”

Next up for MacKenzie is Sussex’s Davis and the 36-year-old will provide a stern test as both players battle to get into the third qualifying round.

However, no matter who triumphs, they are still a long way away from that coveted place in the main draw of the Maplin UK Championship in Telford later this month with Ricky Walden and former World Championship finalist Nigel Bond still to be overcome in qualifying rounds three and four.