BRACKNELL’S Matt Ford has taken over top spot in the rankings on the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour.

Ford, above right, finished second behind Wayne Muddiman in the latest round of matches at Swindon.

Ford, who takes over top spot from Andover’s John Hunter, broke the back of the opening frame of the final with a run of 44.

Muddiman, a carpenter, chipped in with a 38 in the next and three crucial in-offs by his opponent helped to square the match.

In the decider, his 19th frame of the day, Muddiman knocked in a 42 after Ford had gone in-off again when splitting the pack from the blue. The handshake came with four reds remaining.

“It was quite an important break,”said Muddiman. “There’s one thing about playing Matt, he does sharpen you up.”

Ford’s 116 in the second frame of his 2-0 quarter-final victory over Bristol’s Nick Hawkins was the highest of the season, beating Hunter’s 105 in the first leg in Bournemouth.

Fawley accountant Nick Miles was on the receiving end of the next two highest breaks of the day. He picked the balls out for an 87 against Ford and a 95 against Hunter.

In the last-four of the event, Muddiman overcame Chris Rigby 2-1 while Ford recorded a 2-0 victory over Bristol’s Derek Murphy.

The next matches are at Marchwood on December 17.