Craig MacGillivray. Picture: Neil Hanna
- by Michael Gallacher
Granton’s Craig MacGillivray defeated teenager Rhys Clark to win the opening Main Tour Event of the Scottish snooker season at The Creamery Club in Falkirk last night.
However, the 41-year-old, who won three Main Tour events last season en route to finishing as Scotland’s No. 1, was made to fight all the way by the Stonehouse teenager.
MacGillivray won the first frame with a break of 40 and then the next to lead 2-0, before the next two frames were shared as MacGillivray went into the interval with a 3-1 lead.
Clark came back, winning the fifth frame on the pink, and the sixth frame with a run of 55 to level at 3-3. The next two frames were shared to take the match to a decider before the former professional showed all his experience, winning it comfortably to secure a 5-4 victory.
MacGillivray said: “I am delighted. As I thought it would be, it was a really tough match. A number of the frames were scrappy and it was difficult for both of us to get going. Rhys did well to come back at me from 3-1 down, but I think my experience just made the difference when it got to the final frames.”
MacGillivray returns to action on Sunday to at the Creamery again when the opening event of the Masters Series takes place. Entries are available on the day to all players over 40.