Hendry extends lead at top of table - 25/10/2007

The Cresset, Peterborough
Stephen Hendry 4-2 Steve Davis
Hendry's scores first
0-92 (Davis 53, 30), 94-0 (Hendry 58), 101-21 (Hendry 55), 73-0 (Hendry 73), 81-21, 29-76 (Davis 52)

STEPHEN Hendry extended his lead at the top of the table in the 2007 PartyBets Premier League Snooker.

Hendry maintained his unbeaten record with a win against veteran Steve Davis at The Cresset, Peterborough.

Davis, who began the competition with two victories, has now failed to win his last two matches and still has a lot to do to secure a play-off place.

"It was a bit scrappy but nice to get a win," said Hendry.

"I'm starting to learn that I can't pot everything and against a player like Steve Davis your tactical play has to be good."

The Nugget competed in the play-offs in 2006 and was aiming to take another step closer to the final four in the 2007 competition.

Both players won one of the first two frames with Davis hitting 53 in the first and Hendry, the only player who has guaranteed a place in the final four, scoring 58 in the second.

Another break of more than 50, this time a 55 from Hendry helped him to a 101-21 success in the third.

Neither player was competing at their best but it was proving to be another efficient performance from seven-time World Champion Hendry. A 77 from the Scot made it 3-1 in his favour and ensured he would leave with at least a point.

Although already qualified for the next phase, Hendry was still aiming to come top of the league as that would ensure an easier semi-final in Aberdeeen in December.

The fifth frame was an error-strewn affair with Davis failing to sink a black off the spot, before Hendry did likewise with a routine red. The highest break was 26 but Hendry edged over the finish line to clinch the win and another two points.

Davis clinched the final frame of the night but it was too little, too late.