Bingham looks to prolong season

Stuart Bingham bounced back from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Crucible to reach the second round of the Daily Record Players Championship in Glasgow today.

Bingham, the world number 43 from Basildon, defeated Northern Ireland number one Joe Swail 5-4.

The Scottish event is the last tournament of Bingham's campaign after he was beaten in the Embassy World Championship qualifiers in February.

And Bingham, who beat Stephen Hendry at the Crucible in 2000, is determined to prolong the season with an extended run.

"This is like my world championship and I hope I can stay around for as long as possible," he said.

"I was gutted not to make it to Sheffield but that's the way it goes. That's how snooker is."

Bingham knocked in a 144 total clearance as he built a 3-1 lead before Swail levelled at 3-3 and again at 4-4.

Bingham's 49 break put him 62-8 ahead in the decider and he clinched victory with a run of 45 after Swail missed a simple black with a chance to clear up.

"It was the best I've played for a long time. I don't know where it came from but I'm not complaining," said Bingham, who now faces newly-crowned Irish Masters champion Peter Ebdon for a place in the last 16.

Liverpool's Rod Lawler earned a bye through to the second round, where he faces world champion Mark Williams, following the withdrawal of Finland's Robin Hull, who is suffering from a thyroid complaint.

Hull has been unable to practise properly since falling ill earlier this year and has missed the last five events of the season.