Ding on a high

Chinese teenager Ding Jun Hui produced another dazzling display in Prestatyn today to move to within two rounds of qualifying for the final stages of the Irish Masters.

Ding, 17, knocked in three century breaks to defeat 1991 World Matchplay champion Gary Wilkinson 5-1.

The Shanghai youngster, who beat Jimmy White in last November’s British Open, began the match with a run of 125.

Wilkinson won the second frame but potted only one ball in the next three frames as Ding weighed in with efforts of 110 and a 141 total clearance.

Ding, who has been awarded a wildcard for next month’s Wembley Masters, could have pulled off a fourth century in the fifth frame but had to settle for 69 and a place in the third round.

Steve James, once as high as fifth in the world but currently 224th after several years of ill health, won his fifth match from five starts in 2005 when he defeated Jimmy Michie 5-1.

Walsall-based James, 43, qualified for the final stages of the Welsh Open last weekend and needs to beat Shaun Murphy and Robert Milkins to make it to Dublin in March.