JOHN Hunter avenged his earlier defeat by former professional Mike Talmondt in emphatic style to claim the second leg of the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour.

The 48-year-old from Andover, who also won the season opener at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club last month, compiled a 71 break in a oneframe final shoot-out to secure maximum points.

Former Portsmouth champion Talmondt, a pro in the 1990s, dispatched Hunter 2-1 in their roundrobin group at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon, and agreed to split the £140 prize money when the pair met again in the final.

“I managed to win again,” Hunter understated.

“Mike beat me in the group stages.

He’s a very good player and plays the right shots.”

Hunter, who is based at Salisbury Snooker Club, said it was “fantastic” to see a 23-strong field following the record 30 at Chandler’s Ford.

Talmondt accounted for Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe) 2-1 in the semi-finals, a reverse of their first-leg encounter.

Martin Wallace dropped just one frame in five group matches and a quarter-final clash with Martin Hill (Salisbury SC) before going out to Hunter in the last-four.

According to Cuestars’ records, home player Alan Thomas’s 46 break was his highest in competition.

Not to be outdone, Paul Rose, also from Jesters, managed a 36 and Ray Mears (Sovereign SC, Farnborough) weighed in with a 23.

The third leg of six is at Salisbury Snooker Club on Sunday, January 25.