MICHAEL JUDGE caused a surprise in the first round of the British Open in Plymouth last night when he beat Ken Doherty 5-3.

Judge, the world number 71 surprisingly beat his fellow Dubliner at the same stage of the Regal Welsh Open two years ago.

"I've got absolutely no complaints about the result. Michael produced some tremendous stuff" said Doherty. "He played to an extremely high standard, and, as far as I was concerned, it was one of those days."

Judge, only a reserve when Doherty captained the Republic of Ireland to the final of the World Cup in November, signalled his intent by quickly building a 2-0 lead with breaks of 73 and 105.

Thanks to winning three of the following four frames, Doherty drew level at 3-3, but Judge crucially snatched the seventh by fashioning a brown to black clearance. Judge launched a decisive run of 71 in frame eight with a long range plant.

Judge, who squeezed past Doherty 5-4 on the black when they last met, said: "This was just a fraction easier than on that occasion, but it was still tough".