Harris “looking forward” to taking on three-time champion Bagley

[snookerdad]

ANTHONY Harris insists he’s “looking forward” to the challenge of denying Johnathan Bagley a fourth straight English Masters Championship title.

The pair qualified from the last-16 knockout stage at the North East Derbyshire Snooker Centre, Clay Cross.

Harris, from Sutton Coldfield, said: “I’m looking forward to it. I am sure it will be a good match.”

The first round of the day saw a truly exceptional performance by Jamie Bodle (Derby).

He made breaks of 130, 129 and 130 in the first three frames followed by a 56 to go through 4-0 against a shell-shocked Russell Huxter (Saffron Walden).

Bodle was knocked out 4-3 in the quarter-finals by Bagley after missing a black from its spot when he looked set to clear the last few reds and colours to win.

Harris and Leeds maestro Bagley will meet during the EASB finals weekend of May 2-3.

Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach

The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.

[Terry Davidson]

I used to play with Anthony Harris on the pro-am circuit in Britain in the late 80's and he was one of the top players then.

Speaking of Jamie Bodle...played him in the last 32 of the IBSF Masters in Latvia in 2013. He had 2 centuries and another 90-odd which should have been a century and wiped the floor with me 4-0. However, even playing that well I believe he lost in the 1/4's as there are plenty of really good players in the Masters even though we are old gaffers.

Maybe Anthony will go to Cape Town this year to play in the IBSF Masters with the likes of Darren Morgan and complany.

[Neil Taperell]

That is very impressive ....3 tons in three frames . Excellent stuff.

[magicman]

Even more than 3 tons, it was 3 high tons, probably total clearances. Incredible stuff, only to lose in the very next round!

I remember years ago in a pro-am in Keynsham, Michael Gold won 4-0 with a 143, 142, 139, and 97 then lost 4-1 in the next round to Paul Davies!

I've never been that prolific a scorer myself. I once had two tons and a 90+ to win 3-0 in a pro-am and because I was playing that well I went on to win it. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be hitting the ball that well and still lose!

I've played Anthony three times on the Masters tour in the last few years, losing a r/robin match and beating him in two finals. I've seen him play some excellent stuff against tough opposition and he'll need to find that sort of form as Johnathan Bagley is different class. This guy is going for four national titles on the bounce! Frightening. Best of luck Ant, you'll need it mate!