IAN DOYLE, who heads the Scottish-based Team Sweater Shop empire, has criticised snooker's roll-on roll-off format which backfired during the Regal Welsh Open at Newport on Monday.

The last match of the day, which involved Ken Doherty and Welshman Mark Williams, began at 9.30 pm - two-and-a-half hours late - and finished at 12.45 am yesterday with the Dubliner suffering a 5-3 defeat.

Doyle, who is Doherty's manager, remarked: "The whole concept of this format is crazy. We all know who the slow players are and they are the ones who should he punished and made to go on last.

"It's not good enough when Ken and Mark are told to play so late in the evening. They are both good players who are not among the slower brigade."

Irish interest in the event ended yesterday when John Parrott defeated Taylor 5-1 and Mark Williams gained a 5-2 victory over Terry Murphy.

Meanwhile, Stephen Hendry's dismal start to the year continued when the world champion was knocked out by Dave Harold. Hendry has suffered an alarming slump in form over the last month with four defeats in the Matchroom League.

Steve Davis followed Hendry on the road out of Newport his hopes of a hat-trick of titles scuppered by little known Scot Drew Henry.