Snooker
Snooker: Thorne progresses through Malta Grand Prix qualifying rounds
Saturday, 8 January 2000 19:56Willie Thorne has won a marathon battle to book his place in the second qualifying round of the £295,000 Rothmans Malta Grand Prix in Newport. The 45-year-old veteran defeated Ian Brumby 5-4 after a three hour 37 minute dual and is now two wins away from a trip to the Mediterranean Island next month. Thorne, who has already successfully negotiated the first two qualifying rounds of the Thailand Masters this week, now faces Drew Henry, the world number 45. Mark Selby, a 16-year-old who practices at Thorne's club in Leicester, also advanced by beating former European Open champion Tony Jones 5-2.
