Song stops all-Malta qualifier in Wales

The possible Alex Borg-Tony Drago second qualifying round match for the Northern Ireland Trophy is no longer on the cards as yesterday Borg was beaten 5-3 by China's Lui Song in Prestatyn, Wales.

Drago will now play Song with the winner moving to the next round and a qualifier against Marcus Campbell before the final stages between August 13 and 20 at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Lui secured a 3-1 lead at the break yesterday but Borg, in his second successive Main Tour season, hit back to draw level after winning frames five and six.

However, Liu left his best for the crucial stages as he potted a 98 to go 4-3 up and then wrapped up the match with a run of 58.

The 22-year-old Song is this year's Pontin's International Open Series champion. He finished on top of the Order of Merit to join the more popular fellow Chinese Ding Junhui on the main circuit for the 2006-07 season.

Last month, Borg was awarded a wild card by the World Snooker Association to play in the Main Tour.