DAVE Finbow scored his first win in the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship since 1997 last night when he progressed to round four.

The Alfrick professional shouldered the burden of being the local fav-ourite at the Willie Thorne Snooker Club in Malvern, defeating Scunthorpe's Jeff Cundy 5-3 despite suffering from a heavy cold.

"It's nice to know I'm coming back at the weekend for a change," he said.

There is every chance the 32-year-old could make further progress towards the title and a £5,000 prize.

Standing between Finbow and the last 32 is unknown Yorkshireman Craig Butler, the provisional world number 140. "With Darren Morgan losing it means I wouldn't face a top 32 seed until at least the quarter-finals," said the Worcestershire star.

There was more success for Bewdley's Richard King. He followed up his 5-1 first match win by defeating Wolverhampton's John Read 5-3.

But there was disappointment for Kidderminster's Terry Murphy, however. He crashed out 5-1 against Troy Shaw of Rugeley.