Fenland potter Joe Perry won’t be taking part in the World Championships at the Crucible for just the second time in 13 years after a horror show in qualifying against Thailand professional Akani Songsermsawad.
Perry, whose was forced into the qualifying competition at Ponds Forge because his world ranking had slipped to 19 during a poor season, went down 10-9 in the second round to the world number 82.
Joe Perry in action.
“That performance pretty much summed up my season,” Perry stated. “There were a couple of highs, but lots of work needed in the close season.
“I really can’t keep playing like that. It’s been my worst season for a long time standard-wise.”
Perry led 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, 5-3 and 6-4 against Songsermsawad before losing five frames in a row to leave himslef on the bring of defeat.
But the 2008 World Championship semi-finalist reeled off three frames in a row to force a last-frame decider which he lost 77-4.
Perry managed just four 50-plus breaks in 19 frames. Songsermsawad struck the only ton and plays Mark Joyce or David Grace for a place at the Crucible.
Perry’s highlight this season was reaching the Masters Final where he lost 10-7 to Ronnie O’Sullivan. His prize money for the 2016-17 season was £193,700.
