Hendry beaten as Perry continues fine start to league - 23/10/2008

STEPHEN Hendry slumped to a shock 5-1 defeat against newcomer Joe Perry at the Plymouth Pavilions

Joe Perry

It is Hendry's second defeat in a row and leaves him in sixth place but on zero points in the prestigious seven-man competition, promoted by Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sport company.

Only the top four advance into the play-offs in December and Perry is now in second place, while Mark Selby, who had a week off, is still in pole position.

Perry won the qualifying tournament, the Championship League, earlier this year and has now won all three of his Premier League matches so far.

“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” said a delighted Perry. “I won’t count my chickens yet as I still have three tough matches but if play like that then I have a chance of getting through.

“I’ve played well in ranking events this season but come up against Ronnie twice in the last 16 and he’s knocked me out twice but on the whole my form has been pretty good.

“Being in the Premier League has made me a better player by giving me a lot more matches and helps keeps you in good nick.

“I’m not now going into tournaments hoping I can win just my first match, now I’m going in there thinking I can win the whole event.”

Breaks of 75, 101, 65 and 66 helped Perry secure the two points and take him a step closer to securing a semi-final spot.

In the opener Hendry made 31 but Perry then had a chance, which he took with a break of 75.

Perry take advantage of a Hendry mistake in the second but then missed a pink into the centre pocket before another Hendry error brought Perry back to the table and it was 2-0.

A break of 30 from Hendry helped reduce the deficit to 2-1 but an excellent break of 101, the first and only centrury break of the night ensured Perry would definitely take home at least a point.

He made sure of the victory with 65 in the fifth and sealed the victory with a score of 66 in the sixth.

Stephen Hendry 1-5 Joe Perry
31-75 (Perry 75), 12-62 (Perry 39), 72-9 (Hendry 30), 1-101 (Perry 101), 53-71 (Hendry 44, Perry 65), 10-75 (Perry 66)