Brecel Heading Down Under

Belgian teenager Luca Brecel booked his place in the final stages of the Australian Goldfields Open with a 5-3 defeat of Rod Lawler on Tuesday night.

Former UK Championship quarter-finalist Brecel, 19, knocked in breaks of 53, 129 and 53 as he earned a place in the world ranking event in Bendigo, which starts on June 30.

Former World Champion Peter Ebdon, who was runner-up to Barry Hawkins in Australia in 2012, booked his return with a 5-3 win over Barry Pinches. Rory McLeod scored a 5-1 victory over Ken Doherty with a top break of 56.

Crucible quarter-finalist Alan McManus edged out Joe Swail 5-4 with a top break of 113. Swail came from 4-2 down to 4-4 only for McManus to win the decider on the colours.

Marcus Campbell won a Scottish derby with Michael Leslie 5-4 while Fergal O’Brien top scored with 90 in a 5-2 win over Stuart Carrington.

Liam Highfield, who dropped off the tour last season but bounced straight back via Q School, made a 138 in a 5-2 win over Ben Woollaston while Martin Gould saw off Mike Dunn 5-3.