Snooker star narrowly misses out on tour place

Leo Fernandez was beaten in the final round of the World Snooker Q School 1 event today (Tuesday) when victory would have earned him a place on the circuit for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons.

Fernandez lost 4-1 to Scottish player Rhys Clark, who put himself firmly in the driving seat by opening up a 3-0 lead with top breaks of 63 and 59.

Irish-born Fernandez stayed alive by winning frame four aided by a run of 44 and led in the fifth before Clark came back to clinch it.

Fernandez had won four matches to reach that stage, including a pair of 4-3 victories in rounds four and five. He came from 3-2 down to edge out Alex Davies having previously pulled off a brilliant comeback from 3-0 behind to defeat Oliver Brown with the help of a 76.

The former English amateur champion had few problems in his first couple of matches, seeing off Matthew Day 4-1 despite losing the opening frame and Ryan Causton 4-0 with a top break of 70.

Fernandez, who was on and off the professional circuit earlier in his career, has a second chance at Q School 2. His opening match is against Polish player Adam Stefanow on Friday morning.

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