Wilson's winning streak halted by Carter's class

ALI CARTER, one of the game's brightest prospects, ended Matt Wilson's 14-match winning run in Malvern yesterday to reach the Benson & Hedges Championship final.

ALI CARTER, one of the game's brightest prospects, ended Matt Wilson's 14-match winning run in Malvern yesterday to reach the Benson & Hedges Championship final.

The 20-year-old from Essex now plays Gary Ponting of Bristol or Bradford's Simon Bedford today for the right to play at Wembley in next year's Benson & Hedges Masters. "I've always said I would never go to Wembley unless I could go as a player," said the world No 140 after his 6-4 victory. "Now I'm nearly there. It's no good coming this far without going back with the title."

Wilson, a winner of the recent UK Tour event in Oldham, took the first frame and despite being regularly outscored managed to share the opening eight frames with a top break of just 37. In frame nine his luck ran out. Potting a blue he also knocked in a red, and Carter made an 87 clearance for 5-4. Wilson did not score a point in frame 10 and Carter was through to his first professional final.