LEE Richardson produced his best snooker of the summer to book a place at Bournemouth for the Liverpool Victoria UK Championship in November.

The Thame-based professional earned himself a guaranteed payday of £3,100 after defeating Michael Judge 5-1 in Plymouth on Monday night.

"I played like God," he declared. "I was beginning to think I couldn't play the game, but this was my last chance and thought I would just give it a go.

"Winning the match has saved my season."

Richardson, who had failed to get in the other five qualifying tournaments at Plymouth, began in scintillating style and was all lined up for an opening frame 146 when he went in-off after potting his 13th red.

An opening break of 48 in frame two followed by some astute safety play secured a 2-0 lead and, after Judge had narrowed the deficit , Richardson rattled in a break of 101 to make it 3-1.

The high-scoring continued as he made a 75 in the fifth, incuding the "best brown I've ever potted" to take a 4-1 lead.

It was back to safety in the next which Richardson won to take a 5-1 winning lead. The win over Judge, who is ranked 58, earned Richardson a pot at world No 12 Alain Robidoux and it is a match that the Oxon star feels he can win.

"He didn't win a single match last season, yet still only dropped three places in the rankings," said Richardson, who along with other players, has been hugely criticial of the seeding system.

"He is still one of the game's top players and he won't let that record bother him, but it's a best of 17-frame match and that suits everybody."

Richardson revealed that he had become firm friends with Kirk Stevens, the Canadian who had a disappointing comeback at Plymouth.

"We got on really well and Kirk has agreed to join me in a series of exhibition matches next year."

One of them will take place at Richardson's home club in Thame in January, with the other two venues to be announced later this year.

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