Martyn Desperques (right) with Shaun Murphy at Fort Regent. (0597365)

MARTYN DESPERQUES took a frame off former world champion Shaun Murphy at the World Series of Snooker in Jersey at the weekend.

Playing in surroundings that are second nature to world number three Murphy, the island individual league champion Desperques found himself thrust before a crowd of 120 at Fort Regent. Desperques also had to contend with two cameras constantly moving to find the best shot as the match was broadcast live by Eurosport for its Asian audience.

‘It all went well and more than anything it was excellent to have the opportunity to take a frame off him. It was a little bit disappointing because I didn’t play to my full potential, but it was the first time I’d played in an arena like that.’

The Sarnian won the opening frame before the 2005 world champion hit his stride to claim the next four and the match. ‘Martyn did really well considering the situation was so different to anything that he’s come across before,’ said Guernsey Snooker Association vice-president Martin Robert, who went to watch Desperques.