Steve Ventham failed to get past the first round hurdle of 2011 Wyldecrest Parks World Seniors Championship last weekend at East of England Showground, Peterborough, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 45-year-old print management company director from Sutton lost two frames to nil against Karl Townsend in the battle of the qualifiers.

Tooting-born Ventham, who reached the final of 1983 BBC Junior Pot Black series, complemented Middlesex-based Townsend: “It was straight forward, he played really well,” he said. “He got in straight away.

“I gone to the table a little bit edgy, best of three he won the first frame rightly so.

“Second frame I had a chance. If I won that frame by score a bit heavier on the balls then I got a good chance in the last but it wasn’t to be.

“But the bottom line is he played fantastic and he’s a lovely, lovely bloke as well so it makes it a little bit bearable to lose to him as well.

“It’s been a good experience and it was nice to be here. I’ll be back in it next year for sure.”