LATE call-offs have whittled down the first-round ties in the Benson &

Hedges championship at the Masters Club in Dennistoun, Glasgow, open to

all registered players outwith the world top 16.

0 Last night former British youth champion Paul McPhillips, from

Thornliebank, clinched third-round place, beating Welshman Ian Sergeant

5-4, and Ginger Lardner, playing before his hometown fans, is in line

for the #700 highest break prize with a 130, defeating Kirkcaldy rival

Rab Ritchie 5-2 in the second round.

Other results: Eddie Manning (Leicester) 5, Bill Snaddon (Sauchie) 2;

P Davies (Hampshire) 5, Colin Morton (Accrington) 1.