LEE Richardson's interest in the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship is over for another 12 months after a fourth round defeat by Jason Wallace.

Richardson, the Thame-based professional, lost three frames in a row against his Worcestershire rival after reaching the interval level at 2-2 and with every chance of qualifying for the last 32 at the Willie Thorne Snooker Club.

"I've no complaints, Jason played better than me," said Richardson. "I didn't score as heavily as I should have done and his safety play was also much better than mine."

Richardson spent last week commuting between the venue and Oxfordshire, where he's been in demand as a karaoke host.

"It's hard sometimes to do both properly," admitted the world No 99, who yesterday was involved in a charity pram race around Thame. "When I was 4-2 down, I suddenly started thinking about my next gig, and that's now how it should be. "I've got four nights' work this week and then I can start thinking about playing in the UK Championship next week."

Richardson, who made three half-century breaks against Redditch-based Wallace, including a top effort of 72, faces Wayne Brown at Bournemouth on Saturday.

"Wayne has beaten me three times, but our last match was only a 5-4 on the pink so I know I can beat him on my day."

Story date: Monday 08 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.