Hancorn Qualifies for Crucible on Seniors Debut
Ben Hancorn is set for a Crucible Theatre debut after he defeated Alfie Burden 4-2 in the final to win last weekend’s opening World Seniors Championship Qualifying Event of the season.
Held at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Reading, 73 players representing 11 different nations entered the qualifier which was open to all players aged 40 or above who weren’t ranked inside the world’s professional top 64.
Hancorn – winner of the 100th English Amateur Snooker Championship in early 2020 – was playing in his first seniors event. He began his campaign with a comeback 3-2 win over Adrian Morrissey before eliminating current main tour professionals Michael Judge 3-0 and Craig Steadman 3-1 to reach Sunday’s last eight.
The Portishead potter then dispatched Lee Richardson 4-1 and Daniel Ward 4-0 to reach the title match.
On the other side of the draw, world number 96 Burden was aiming to make a return to the Crucible. The 45-year-old Londoner survived three consecutive deciding frame finishes before stopping Wayne Townsend 4-2 in the semi-finals.
Burden twice led the final early on, but Hancorn was not to be denied his ticket to Sheffield as he strung together the final three frames for victory.
The venue stages of the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship are due to take place between the 3-7 May 2023.
