DARREN Morgan had plenty to get off his chest after losing to fellow wildcard Rhydian Richards on the first day of the ManBetX Welsh Open at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

Former pro Morgan, now one of the sport’s top amateurs, had chances to win the all-Welsh pre-qualifying clash but lost 4-3.

Speaking afterwards, the 51-year-old felt it was the “right result” but wished he hadn’t taken his place in the tournament to start with.

One of the reasons for that centred around the fact both he and Richards had to win a match to get a slot in the main draw.

Another factor, according to Morgan, was the reaction in some quarters, particularly from Cwm’s two-time world champion Mark Williams, to him receiving a wildcard.

Williams had taken to social media ahead of the tournament to plead the case for practice partner Jackson Page’s inclusion in an event which fired him into the spotlight 12 months previously.

But Morgan believes Williams, who starts his Welsh Open campaign against Mark King today, crossed the line when having his say on Twitter.

“As disappointed as I am, this was the right result,” said Morgan. “Rhydian’s prize for winning the Welsh Amateur Championship was to play in this.

“We were the two wildcards but it didn’t really work out as two, it was one because we played a prelim which we could have played in a club up the road.

“Because I love snooker I played, but I wish now I hadn’t. I wish I had done what I felt I was going to do (withdraw) to make a point, because I didn’t agree (with a pre-qualifying round).

“At the end of the day, I won a tournament (to get the wildcard), I’m number one in the men’s and masters amateur rankings, and people hold it against you because you’re better than them.”

He added: “This was Rhydian’s first ever experience in some kind of a pro tournament so I find myself in a really peculiar position.

“I’m really happy that he’s beaten me and can now continue his journey, and with a bit of luck he’ll beat David Grace and earn a couple of quid out of it, but unfortunately it’s at my expense.”

Commenting on fellow Gwent cueman Williams, he continued: “He thinks it’s a bit of banter but there’s consequences to everything people do and say.

“Why does someone need to do what he’s doing when he’s been as successful as he’s been? He’s a keyboard warrior.

“I’ve tried like mad to get here and this week all I’ve been doing is fighting with myself – do I give him the win or turn up?

“I thought that if I pulled out they would stick someone in against him, and I didn’t want that either.

“I am actually really pleased that Rhydian is through and will now play where he should have played in the first place.”

World Snooker confirmed that with 127 pro entries it wouldn’t have been possible for the two wildcards to go straight into the main draw.