Friday 30 April 2010

Stalybridge League - 1/4 Finals Billiards and Snooker

Thought I was already in the 1/4 finals but there was one extra round. Played last night over at Staly Vegas Snooker Club, Stalybridge playing a chap called Vas Patel in the next round giving him 36 start in a single frame of snooker. He played well at the start and left me nothing and I ended up 50 behind before I managed to snooker him a few time and ran in a couple of 12 and 15 breaks. Once I had caught him up I simply picked him off and snooker him to death.
I won by clear brown, blue and pink. Quite happy with that result a tough game.

In the Billiards I played Mick Campbell another young lad who cold pot really well. I struggled as usual against a snooker player one ball was always on the cushion after he had missed a pot. I double baulked him loads of times and struggled to get any breaks my highest was 29.
He was on +20 handicap so he had to score 80 I am on - 80 so I had to get 180 to win.

I just made it by about 15 points but it was a real battle never got going at all. 2 Semi finals supposed to be next week but I have the police competition instead. Going to rearrange them for Monday.

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Police Snooker coming up next week

I have been a little slow updating the blog recently as I have either been working or away from home. I intend to make a big effort this week, must change my tip I have damaged it on the Sunday at Pontins, that's the problem with these talisman tips, they are great but if you bang them they break up. I'm not worried about the comp next week as they bed in so quickly.

I might try a few different types in the summer the Mike Woolridge ones look good and I saw a new Elk master that looked good. Signed up for the Summer snooker league so should be good to keep my arm going till September.

Monday 26 April 2010

World Snooker Sheffield

Steve managed to arrange some tickets for Sheffield, I usually drive but we decided to go on the train so I could have yet another drink.

The train was only £ 13.50 from Manchester and bang on time, the Crucible had been done up since last year but it seems to have lost a little of its charm. They have put all the prices up a couple of beers was £ 8. Rather a lot when we usually have about 10 and sometimes watch a bit of the snooker as well. You never see any of the players hanging around now, you always used to see Terry Griffiths or Davis around. We always saw Jimmy white and Taylor knocking around around. it's almost as if they don't want to be seem mixing with the public which is very sad.

Watched Selby V Hendry in the morning, Selby destroyed Hendry just as Hendry used to do to everyone else. He simple never missed. I don't think Hendry was playing poorly he just never got out of his chair. The one chance he got he won the frame in one visit. Selby was showing off at the end a bit disrespectful to a truly great past champion.

A few more beers and we watched Joe Perry V Ali Carter, Joe played really well winning 5 frames in a row and never missing a ball, but eventually his luck ran out and he lost the last 3, a brave effort showed he is a great player.

More beer and watched Ding V Murphy in the evening session. Both players were great Ding got a 137. Murphy went on to win but we missed the last couple of frames as we had to stagger off for the train back. Great day out these players really are great. the standard was really high most frames being won in one visit, we saw several hundred breaks lots of 80-90's, and on the tight tables we had played on at the weekend.

Saturday 24 April 2010

EBOS Welsh Open

Off to Pontins Prestatyn for the Welsh Open, my friend Steve Cannon was coming along with the girls, they were going to do some shopping whilst we played.

We arrived at 9-30am on the Saturday and booked in we were only staying one night as the venue for once was only 65miles away. The tables looked really nice Star heated with Strachan cloth. Had a few practice shots with Steve and the balls were skidding off the shaved nap, pockets really tight not much room for error touch the sides and the ball bounces out.

Makes you realise how good these pro players are really tough to pot on these. My first game was against Liam Clark, the little git beat me again, but I played fairly well. I scored 185 in the hour Liam scored 218 after grabbing a couple of 20 breaks with a few minutes to go. I was leading for quite a while but he was just that little bit better than me.

Next was David Sneddon rather a tough draw that one. For the first 20 minutes I was actually in from scoring about 70 points Dave seemed to be struggling, then he got a 40, and followed it next visit with 102. A very nice break of all round play, he play the most wonderful drop cannons I have ever seen every one fell perfectly at the top. He also played some really difficult run through losers along the cushion. Awesome. He then proceeded to knock in 30 or 40 every visit scoring 339 to my 121 I was quite lucky to get than many he never looked like missing.

Last but not least one of my favourite players Bem French, since he beat me he is now no longer one of my favourite players. I scored 141 Bem got 297. He is a really interesting player to watch once he gets the red into the middle of the table he is simply deadly he scored 12 hazards off the white and 13 off the red in the game. He also seems to pot quite well considering he is always moaning he can't pot but he managed some really nice long pots. I'm just not going to talk to him Again.!!??

Ah well I expect a good thrashing in this draw but I enjoyed it nice to play some different players.

Steve managed to get thrashed again just like me but he did manage to score 75 points in each game and over 100 in one match so he was quite pleased. Not bad for his 10th game. In the plate I was unlucky drawing Roy Bacon again. I started off quite well getting a 20 and a 38 break and was 89-5 ahead in the 200 up game. Roy came back strongly getting a 30 and a 40 and managed an easy win in the end 200-142 I simple didn't score in the last half of the game.

Steve was playing Ron Agnew on the table next door. Ron played really well getting 20 or 30 every visit, for an old bloke he can really play and when he is on song he is great to watch.

Had a great weekend plenty of drink and food.

Thursday 22 April 2010

Macclesfield Team Final Liberal Club Macc V Silktown

Played Silktown in the Final of the Knockout cup, played at Macclesfield Liberal Club on quite nice but very slick tables. I had drawn my mate Wayne Holbrook and we played first.

I was giving him 45 start for some reason when he should be giving me a start with his potting. I got off to a good start and quickly caught him up. Getting a couple of 20's, I got to 145 when Wayne knocked in a nice 50 break, I was pleased for him as it was his first 50 break in a match.
I score 11 and then Wayne managed a 15 and a 20 to win by 49.

It was quite a good quality match and taking the handicaps into consideration I only just lost. So not a disaster.

Ken went on next and won and Geoff went on last and lost by a lot giving them a 2-1 victory. Not a bad match and nice to be in a final.

Thursday 15 April 2010

Stalybridge League - Individual Handicap 1/4 Final

Played Phil Vidler in the Stalybridge League, handicapped individuals. He is on +25 I'm on -100 so another big start.

We both played rubbish. My highest break was 13 in 200 points, Phils highest was 7. I don't know what went wrong there I suppose it was just one of those games. I won 100-48 which meant he only scored 23 points but it was total tripe. I ended up playing pot his ball and double baulk about 30 times, there was just no other shots on.

What ever luck there was I got several flukes but got nothing off them. A really strange game best forgotten I think by both of us.

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Practice Crucible Stockport

Wayne rang and said he was free for a few hours today, so we met at Stockport and had 3 hours. The table wasn't brilliant and we both got off to a shakey start. Neither of us played well I won by about 100 points but there was hardly anything in our games I got quite a few low 30 breaks and Wayne did the same. It really shows when you have not put the practice in.

Towards the end of the session I began to play quite well getting long losers and some top of the table. Still missed quite a few balls. Wayne seemed quite rusty and his potting wasn't as good as usual. We have a final coming up on Thursday in the Macclesfield league so he was glad of the practice. Wayne highest break was 30 mine 35.

Monday 12 April 2010

Referees Examination

Met Ron Hope over at Chorlton for my Refs exam, lasted about an hour and half managed to pass the exam a few tricky questions but nothing to bad mostly common sense.

Have to wait for my certificate, also get a tie and blaser badge. Not to bad only £30 or so. I will be able to ref a few games with Wayne Holbrook or if Clive is short of a ref.

Thursday 8 April 2010

Practice Practice Practice

Not had a 50 break for a few weeks now and I have realised I have hardly spent anytime on the practice table, I have played lots of matches but really have neglected solo practice.

So with the Welsh Open coming up and the Police Nationals I must get out and get some hours on the table starting Monday. I have a couple of Semi finals in the Stalybridge League coming up and a final in the Macclesfield League.

My cold has just about cleared up, so no excuses next week so head down and get on with it. Quite looking forward to a knock now there are a couple of new shots I want to try out from Malta.

Missing my Tuesdays with Wayne Holbrook, he has a new job so we have not had a game for a few weeks.

29 days left till the Police Nationals, although I dont stand a chance of winning, there are some really good players, my aim it to qualify out of the round robin stages. I won 1 game out of 5 last year so I hope to improve on that this year.

Monday 5 April 2010

EBOS Malta -better late than Never

Monday - off to the Airport with Steve Cannon have booked with Malta Bargains a very basic Hotel to save money, Checked in at Manchester and there were only 3 flights out the terminal was basically shut, the Zurich flight left at 8pm the PIA flight at 8-30pm and our flight at 9-30pm. So the place was shut no shops open at all couldn't get a bottle of water or sweets.

The flight was on time no problems and well within our luggage limits, no extra charge for my cue case by Air Malta who were a great Airline. No charge for snooker cues and meals were included along with free soft drinks. I was still really ill and wanted to be at home but I couldn't let Steve down.

We arrived at Malta and Bags and cues arrived straight away and transfer bus was waiting straight to hotel which was a little scruffy but fine for 4 nights as we had only paid £ 268 for the flights and hotel half board. which worked out at £ 10 per night half board.

I didn't sleep at all due to coughing all night but break fast was nice a cooked English and lashings of tea and toast were great. The next day were had to be at the Dolmen Spa Resort Hotel by 2pm, we were going to get a taxi but the hotel reception said it was 5 minutes walk, we took the chance and it was only 2 streets away. The Dolmen was nice, the table looked OK although when I played on them they ranged from good to very very poor.

The comp got under way and I played Joe Delaney who was playing instead of Steve Lock, I played really badly, he played really steady getting about 6 or 7 x 30 breaks. I did nothing.
I played Chris Taylor and again played really poor, I just couldn't see the balls with my nose and eyes streaming. I should be tucked up in bed.

I wrote the day off and went to watch United get thrashed with Steve the 8 gins did help me sleep for a few hours but not sure I should have mixed it with the Anti-biotics.
The next day was very similar I played badly, I did manage a win over Guy Heys from Jersey, I don't really know how but I scrapped home, I was pleased just to win a game. The rest of my games were poor I did play well against John Murphy he only won by about 40 in the end after I took a lead and held it for the first 45 minutes. He was a bit out of sorts I think.

The tables were really poor, one table 9 rolled off by 3 inches in one corner Chris Taylor was not impressed especially when his ball ran off hit the cushion twice and missed the bag by two inches when he was on a nice break. I know the table is the same for both players but these were rubbish. I rely on my long in offs a lot and I could hardly get any to go in, I also missed loads of middle in offs, which I hardly ever miss.

That night we were all going out for a Chinese but I went to bed with a few beers and gins. Steve played quite well considering he had only played 4 or 5 times, he set himself a target of 75 points in the hours and managed to get this every time except when he played Rob Hall, he only got 67.
In one game he scored over 100 points which was not bad. It took me a couple of comps before I managed that. He enjoyed it and we managed to get some beer drank and watch some football.

On the Thursday we turned up to play the plate, I was feel a tiny bit better as I had stopped coughing so much and had managed a few hours sleep. On arrival poor old Clive was in despair, not only had he had to change all his tables plans this week but the EBSA had dismantled 7 tables overnight which meant no plate.

I rely on the plate as I will never qualify for the main draw so I was furious, all that way and no plate disgraceful. Steve wasn't happy either. We met some of the other lesser players who also weren't best pleased. But there was nothing we could do.

They week was still fun but soured a little, the Maltese players were great and played a really high standard of billiards, I refereed Joe Grech, he was first class getting 102,54,56 in three visits. Really massive crowds when ever they played. Steve was playing Michael White when Paul Mifsud was playing and there were 134 watching the two tables.

I enjoyed the comp but I probably wouldn't go back unless EBOS were doing the whole thing as they know how to run a comp properly, leave it to Clive Scott and you never have any trouble.

Looking forward to the Welsh next not so far off, hopefully feel a bit better for that one.