Hendry snub is criticised : SNOOKER

SNOOKER

The conqueror of Stephen Hendry last night hit back at the world champion's scathing after-match outburst. After losing 5-4 to the rank outsider, Mark Johnston-Allen, in the International Open first round in Bournemouth on Tuesday night, Hendry said: "You feel like chucking it when you lose to people who should not be in the same room."

Those remarks helped inspire Johnston-Allen to race to a 5-1 second-round victory last night over Mark Williams, of Wales.

"I was shocked when I read his remarks," said the Bristol-based Johnston- Allen, who has won all three of his matches against the Scot. "It was a disrespectful thing to say about a fellow professional player. Obviously he was cheesed off, but that is not an excuse.''