JOE Perry scored a convincing 5-2 victory over Barry Pinches last night to book a quarter-final place and establish himself as a clear contender for the Snooker Grand Prix title. The Chatteris potter will be in action in Glasgow tomorrow and the draw has

JOE Perry scored a convincing 5-2 victory over Barry Pinches last night to book a quarter-final place and establish himself as a clear contender for the Snooker Grand Prix title.

The Chatteris potter will be in action in Glasgow tomorrow and the draw has not yet been made.

His chances are boosted by the fact that world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan and world number three Shaun Murphy already out. O'Sullivan lost a sensational second-round match 5-4 to John Higgins, while Murphy lost to Pincher by the same scoreline in the first round.

World number 12 Perry overcame a spirited fightback from Pinches, the world number 52 from Norwich who came from behind to beat Murphy. At one point Perry led 4-0 but Pinches pulled it back to 4-2.

In the seventh frame Perry made a 58 break to go 45 points in front with 42 points remaining on the table. Perry then cleverly knocked the red over a pocket when the black and pink were tied up.

Pinches potted a brown off the red and needed two snookers and when Perry potted a loose yellow Pinches needed three snookers but carried on, finally conceding when he left Perry with an easy green.