Snooker: Leslie pipped by Un-Nooh in opening round of Welsh Open qualifiers

Bonnyrigg snooker pro Michael Leslie lost a last-frame decider in a high quality 4-3 contest against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Thailand) in the opening round of Welsh Open qualifiers at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield on Saturday.

Leslie started well, winning the opening frame, but his Thai opponent responded with breaks of 91 and 59 to lead 2-1. Leslie then levelled the match with a break of 70 before visits of 26 and 17 were enough to win a low-scoring fifth frame to lead 3-2. However, Un-Nooh kicked on to secure a 4-3 win.

Scott Donaldson (Perth) also lost 4-3, going out to England’s Alfie Burden. Donaldson recovered from losing the first two frames but in the decider Burden laid a snooker that cost Donaldson the match.

Meanwhile, Musselburgh’s Ross Muir survived a scare in the first round of the East of Scotland Snooker Championships at the Bert Demarco Matchroom at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. Muir, one of the tournament favourites, needed a last frame decider to defeat Falkirk’s Roy Easton 3-2. Muir will now meet Derek Dudgeon (Edinburgh) in the last-32 stage.