SNOOKER: Chatteris potter Joe Perry qualifies for World Open

Joe Perry booked his place at the World Open this week.

The Chatteris cueman, who last month received a three-year suspended ban for breaching betting rules, breezed past Welshman Ian Preece in qualifying at the Preston Guildhall yesterday (August 7).

Preece won the opening frame in a low-scoring affair before Perry stormed back to take a 5-2 victory – which included a break of 70 – to seal his place at the China-based competition which runs from September 18 to 24.

Perry reached the final of the tournament last season, but was defeated 10-8 by Ali Carter in Yushan.

The 42-year-old received a ban and a £2,500 fine last month after admitting to making a number of bets from 2009 to 2013.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WBSA) said the bets in question “were relatively small in value to a total of £2,806.49 over the four year period where he made an overall profit of £832.09.”