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HOW TO BECOME THE VINTAGE CUES
COLLECTOR Exclusive with Andy Hunter international snooker magazine
6 Red | Shanghai Masters | China Championship | European Masters Women’s Masters | Disability Snooker Championship | WSF News
Fin Ruane
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O'Sullivan gives trophies away Five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan successfully defended his Shanghai Masters title with an 11:9 win over Barry Hawkins in the final. He was playing his first professional tournament since a second-round World Championship loss in April. After the award ceremony on which he received winners trophy Ronnie turned to the audience and simpy give away the silverware to a young spectators. We do believe that those young fans will never forget that unusual and interesting moment. Ronnie's management company Unify Sports Management @UnifyMgt tweeted: “Delighted for @ronnieo147 to kick off his season with a win but he’s still coming home trophyless! He gave his winner & high break trophy to kids in the crowd.” Regal Internatonal East Asia Hotel, Shanghai, China, September 16th, 2018.
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Š 2007 - 2018 Snooker Croatia • Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE) Media Follow us on social networks e-mail: snookercroatia@yahoo.com
contents
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1 - 07
Ads, Info and the WSF news
8 - 12
Interview: Fin Ruane 6 Red World Championship Gallery
18 - 21
Shanghai Masters
22 - 25
China Championship & European Masters
28 - 30
Womens Masters - WLBS
31 - 33
Disability Snooker Championship - WDBS
36 - 37
Andy Hunter: How to become Cue Collector
38 - 39
SnookerWorld web news powered by social network
with permission:
@pj.nolan.147
13 - 17
© | 147 • International Snooker Magazine |
PETER THE GREAT
2018 IBSF World Under 16 Snooker Championship was held in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ireland’s 16 year old player Aaron Hill had a fantastic tournament, he finished as a runner-up. Trophy to Aaron was presented by the City Founder Peter the Great himself.
Independent Sports & Entertainment Media Cover photo credit: www.snookershanghai.com Published texts and photos are property of signed authors Free of copyrights under CCO > pxhere.com Warning: It is illegal to photocopy or reproduce any part of 147 ISM without express written consent
U.A.E. to Host WSF Championships 2019 The World Snooker Federation is delighted to announce that the 2019 WSF Championships will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E).
Of age, the event will provide another opportunity for senior players to claim the €6,000 first prize and earn a place in a major World Seniors Snooker international ranking event.
The Championships will run from 28 March – 7 April 2019 and be staged at the spectacular Dubai World Trade Centre, a stunning purpose-built complex for events and exhibitions. The event has been organised with the full support of the U.A.E. Billiards and Snooker Association (UAEBSA) which has provided invaluable support to the WSF over the past 12 months. Following a successful inaugural edition of the event in Malta this March, next year’s event will once again include several top-class amateur snooker tournaments for amateur players from across the globe. The 11-day event will be highlighted by the WSF Mixed Gender Championship which last year saw 18-year-old Chinese prodigy Luo Honghao take victory to secure his place on the World Snooker Tour.
Format
Next year’s winner will again be guaranteed to claim a two-year professional tour card from the start of the 2019/2020 season, together with a top prize of €10,000. All four semi-finalists of the main competition will also be invited to participate at the 2019 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield where just three more wins will stand between them and a place in the final stages at the iconic Crucible Theatre. The WSF Championships will also incorporate the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship run by World Ladies Billiards and Snooker and won this year for a third time by Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee. Once again next year’s champion will take home the top prize of €6,000 and will be invited to compete in Sheffield at this season’s professional World Championship qualifiers, looking to follow the example of England’s Reanne Evans who in 2017 became the first woman to win a match at the professional World Championship against Robin Hull. Finally, the event will also see the second staging of the WSF Seniors Championship, won last year by Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo in Malta. Open to players over-40 years
wpbsaofficial
Both the Women’s and Seniors events will run across the first four days (28-31 March 2019) with each to include two days of round robin group matches followed by two days of knockout matches. As was the case this year, the top eight players of both the Women’s and Seniors events will automatically qualify to play in the main WSF Championship, which will begin on 1 April 2019. This provides equal opportunities for both men and women to earn a two-year tour place on the World Snooker Tour amongst the other opportunities to which will be available to players. Jason Ferguson, WSF President said: “Since our visit to Dubai last year, we have been overwhelmed by the support that we have received from the UAEBSA. In particular the support that we have received from Mohamed Shehab, both a highly decorated athlete in the region and a true friend of the WSF has been valuable in the announcement of this event. “The U.A.E. is fast-developing as a key strategic location in snooker’s global development. During the long season, many of our professional players are passing through this area and with the excellent vision of the UAEBSA we are sure to develop more opportunities ahead. We thrilled and proud to announce that the WSF Championships will be staged at this prestigious location in Dubai.” Mr. Sultan Al Joaker, UAEBSA said: "We are very positive that the 2019 WSF Championships in Dubai will be both a very special and unique event. The UAEBSA has played a major role is the development of snooker in Asia and now it is the right time to shift our targets towards the global game under the professional guidance of the WSF."
@wpbsaofficial
Further information, including event entry details will be released as soon as possible
website > www.wpbsa.com
Matt Huart | Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
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As Stephen Murphy former snooker professional said: If You want to know snooker You need to know Fin Ruane. So we found Mr Ruane at the "Fin Ruane Snooker Academy" situated in CrossGuns Snooker Club, Dublin, and asked him a few questions.
Fin Ruane How to enjoy the game Please tell us a little bit about Yourself, when did you start to play the game and what was your best achievement as a player? - Hello Ivan and hello to all the snooker players and fans of our great game in Croatia. It was one Saturday morning when my father brought me to his club CrossGuns. I had watched some snooker before on the television but this was the first time I had actually seen a full size table in real life. Watching the members playing on the tables and the sound of the balls echo throughout the club won me over instantly and from that day on I was in love with the game. Over the next several weeks I began to play and with the help of my fathers friend the late world renowned Irish snooker coach Richard Dunne I was soon showing signs of an emerging talent. Over the next few years I developed further as a player, my best achievement proudly representing my country at both junior and senior level. After several years living in London I soon realised that perhaps maybe I wasn’t good enough to compete at the highest level and I stopped playing but I never missed being around the game as by then I had forged some friendships with several players who to to this day remain some of my closet friends. Recently you become a WPBSA Level 2 snooker coach, how was it to learn and improve your knowledge about the game from the teachers and especially from the great Steve Davis (who is one of the WPBSA coaching team members)? - Coaching was never really something I had thought about doing, I was busy running CrossGuns but something was missing. I still played the odd frame or two but it wasn’t the same. Then one day my wife Marina suggested I take our son Zack down to the club and teach him a few things on the snooker table. I absolutely loved teaching him how to develop a bridge hand and stance and in no time he was potting a few balls. The buzz i got from that fifteen minutes or so was incredible and from that moment on I decided I
wanted to become a coach to teach and grow this great sport. I soon completed my Irish coaching badges and then started to coach some juniors in the club to develop my own coaching technique. Last November I completed my WPBSA Level 1 course and in July I attended my Level 2 course. I didn’t really know what to expect at the Level 2 course as it was a four day course with the final day spent in the company of the legend Steve Davis. To say i was completely blown away is an understatement. The course was simply fantastic, I learned so much from the two senior coaches and mentors Chris Lovell and Andrew Highfield about how to hold a lesson and the various coaching drills and set us required. Exercise and diet was discussed as this is becoming more and more important in the lives of snooker players in the modern game. The highlight of the course was however spending the day in the company of Steve. I’m fortunate enough to have met him several times before but this was different, this was myself and the several other coaches in attendance including top 16 player Marco Fu around a snooker table basically picking his snooker mind on the various aspects of the game. Nothing was held back as Steve answered every question in great detail that was asked of him, we debated shot selections, cueing styles etc, an amazing feeling considering we were in the presence of one of the games greatest ever players. It was clear to see that Steve Davis really enjoys teaching and talking about the game and the WPBSA are lucky to have him on board. The only downside to the day was that it ended too soon! This question is probably the hardest one (for a snooker coach), It was a quite a while ago when Ken Doherty become a World Champion (1997 *author's comment): How to "make" (or produce) a top snooker player that is able to become a new Irish World Champion? - It was clear to me the first time that I saw Ken Doherty play in the junior leagues when we were both 13 years of age that he was going to be a
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Fin Ruane • How to enjoy the game continued on next page
great champion. He had the skill, the desire and the hunger to succeed but more importantly he had the temperament for the game, he had the ability to hold himself together in the toughest of circumstances when those around him might fall apart. It is the same for all great champions, skill can only get you so far but having the ability to dig deep to draw on your experience is what all great champions have. This is something you just can not coach. It can not be taught it is simply learned through many years of tournament play, learning from your defeats and gaining the belief to that you have what it takes to go to the very top. Ken has this, Hendry, Davis, O’Sullivan and Selby have this and they have shown it all throughout their careers from junior snooker right through to the very top. There are some very fine junior players not just in Ireland but across the UK and Mainland Europe too. China is mass producing junior players through it’s schools and Academy’s but I fear there are missing out on what all the great champions had and that was a flourishing amateur scene. These guys came through junior events into senior events then the pro am circuit, they learned the hard way and thats what stood to them. Top juniors these days will probably only meet a better standard when they go and play in European and World Amateur events whereas before you were playing top players at every single event almost every other week. I also feel each country’s National Association could do so much more for juniors to entice them into the game and coaching should be involved from the very beginning to help them each step of the way. How do you see Irish snooker scene right now, there are only two Irish pro players (Fergal O'Brien and Ken Doherty) and four from the Northern Ireland (Mark Allen, Gerard Greene, Joe Swail and Jordan Brown) among the 128 professional players, in your opinion should Ireland have more representatives among the top players? - To be honest having six professional players
representing Ireland both the Republic and Northern Ireland is as good as it’s been for some time. With only 128 professional players on the tour it’s becoming harder and harder each year not only to get on the tour but to actually stay on it. i know there are several Irish players who will try and qualify for the tour each year via Q School but apart form and I’m only speaking of players from the Republic the likes of Michael Judge, Rodney Goggins, Robert Murphy and TJ Dowling would be off the standard required to prevail through Q School. Ideally having more Irish players on the tour would be fantastic for the game here especially with a player of Mark Allens talent leading the way. What advice would you give to the amateur players who want to make progress in snooker, to become a professional player? - Firstly, find your nearest club introduce yourself to the owner or manager. If your club hosts tournaments enter them and play with other players. Contact your national snooker association, find out where and when tournaments are being held and enter them. Gauge what level you are at against the top players. To improve your game find out where snooker coaching is available so you can book a lesson and improve your skills. Always make sure your coach is either a member of the National Association Coaching team or a WPBSA coach. Ireland’s greatest ever snooker player Ken Doherty started off the exact same way in 1981 and just 16 years later he was raising the World Championship trophy in Sheffield. Do you have any young players that you are coaching at the CrossGuns Snooker Club who are showing a great interest in the game, any good prospects? - This season I’m very excited to be working again with Aaron Smith, Aaron is 13 years of age and has already represented Ireland at junior level and last season won an U18 junior event. He’s a very talented player who reminds me a lot of former Irish professional Stephen Murphy when he was that age. Stephen was probably one of the most
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naturally talented snooker players I’ve ever seen and Aaron’s game is almost identical to Stephens. We’ve worked a lot on his game over the last few months are I’m looking forward to watching Aarons continued progress this coming season. I’ve also recently worked with top Irish ladies player Paula Judge and i’m confident we’ll see Paula winning titles in Ireland this coming season. Besides snooker what are Your other interests (sports, food, traveling, visiting events, ...) - Snooker has always played an important role in my life from playing and running CrossGuns and now my coaching Academy but it’s always nice to get away from the table from time to time. I’m a huge Liverpool FC fan and I travel over to Anfield to watch them play several times a season more so this year as my son Zack has followed me and become an honorary Red! I’m also a keen golfer and this summer I have taken several lessons to bring my game up to a fairly decent standard. I’ve always enjoyed travelling and through snooker I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled
throughout the world, sampling different foods along the way. I honestly don’t think there is anything that I wouldn’t eat ! I remember one time on holiday in Thailand with my wife Marina I ate some deep fried crickets! I also enjoy travelling to the United States, I’ve a huge interest in the history and politics of America and always look forward to travelling over. I’m actually hoping to travel over again soon and coach in the famous billiard room at the world renowned New York Athletic Club that overlooks Central Park. Musically I’m a huge fan of Frank Sinatra, I grew up listening to his music and there’s probably not a day goes by that Ol Blue Eyes isn’t playing in my car or at home. I’m also a big Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen fan too. I also enjoy watching movies with Christopher Walken my favourite actor. Above all though spending my time with my wife Marina and children Zack & Skye is my favourite pastime. In the end we wish a success to Your Snooker Academy and good luck in the future projects Ends
Two finalists Ding Junhui and Kyren Wilson shaking hands before the final match
SangSom 6 Red World Championship City of Bangkok has hosted the SangSom Six Red World Championship since 2010, this was eighth edition of the tournament held in Thailand (tournament wasn't held in the 2011/2012 season). Tournament total prize money was Total: 10,000,000 baht (approx: 230000 GBP) of which winner's share was 3,500,000 baht (approx: 82000 GBP). Professionals, sixteen of them from the World Snooker Tour was invited to play at the tournament, six qualifiers (joint decision of the WPBSA, World Snooker Federation (WSF) and the tournament organising committee) also participate at the tournament as well as a further 10 amateur players chosen by the tournament organising committee. Eight groups of four has produced two group leaders who advanced to the (L16) knockout phase. SangSom 6 Red World Championship continued on next page
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At BCC Hall at Central Plaza Ladprao in Bangkok, Thailand 2018
Photos: Billiard Sports Association of Thailand
SangSom 6 Red World Championship
SangSom 6 Red World Championship continued on next page
Kyren Wilson and his friend and coach Barry Stark with a trophy after another successful tournament. It was his consecutive triumph after the victory on Paul Hunter Classic earlier this season.
Tournament Gallery: Last year's finalist Thepchaiya Un-Nooh did not pass the group stage of the tournament. Nutcharut Wongharuthai was only Lady invited to play at the event. Sunny Akani (right) was the best ranked Thai player, he finished third, losing in semi's against Wilson. Tom Ford beats Mark Selby but losing in quarter-final to Luca Brecel. Stuart Bingham wins his Group (C), then beats Marco Fu in L16, to lose in QF from the eventual winner Kyren Wilson.
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Defending Champion Mark Williams was the Group A winner but he lost his first knockout stage (L16) match to Mohammed Shehab
Marco Fu in his Group stage match against Australian player Kurt Dunham
Scottish player Anthony McGill in action
Mark Selby lost his first round match to Tom Ford
Mohammed Shehab former professional snooker player from the United Arab Emirates
Ding Junhui
Thai legend James Wattana
Zhou Yuelong
Stephen Maguire
SangSom 6 Red World Championship
Ends
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2018
SHANGHAI MASTERS title remains in the Ronnie's possession Shanghai Masters was a 24-man non-ranking invitation event, unlike previous editions of the Shanghai Masters which were ranking events. The new competition system was implemented in the new venue. This year, due to the remodeling of Xujiahui Sports Park, the Shanghai Masters moved to Shanghai Regal International East Asia Hotel.
The Chinese referees were represented by Zhu Ying and Li An, they appeared on the No. 1 table. Final was refereed by Zheng Weili. More and more Chinese referees enforce the top international snooker events, highlighting the integrity and coordination of the development of Chinese snooker.
2018 Shanghai Masters continued on next page
The Shanghai Masters, which has gone through 11 years, has been fully upgraded this year. Tournament profile from the previous ranking system changed into the invitational system, the unique 24-player tournament system was implemented and prize fund was raised up to ÂŁ275,000. This year's tornament was more compact and more Chinese players has had the opportunity to face the best world's snooker players.
The four wildcards players were: CBSA U-21's rankings top two: Chang Bingyu and Fan Zhengyi; Amateur Masters winner: Pu Qingsong and Amateur Masters Runner-up: Guo Hua. Four invited chinese professionals were: Liang Wenbo, Zhou Yuelong, Xiao Guodong and Yan Bingtao.
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media: www.snookershanghai.com Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was the number one seed with World Champion Mark Williams seeded second. The top 8 seeds received byes into the second round. Shaun Murphy has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons, he had to play against Stuart Bingham, who whitewashed Fan Zhengyi in first round, however, Bingham received a bye. Zhou Yuelong, ranked 32nd on the World ranking list, booked his place in the tournament second round with a 6:4 victory over Luca Brecel. There were no further upsets in the first round, in the second round we watched seven strong and interesting encounters. In his first competition match of the season O'Sullivan did not show any rustiness, at the end of match shot clock was showing 16 seconds average shot time. Neil Robertson started to
play when Ronnie already had three frames on the board, he just took too long to settle and score at the end was 6:3 to defending champion. O'Sullivans next opponent was Bingham who played well in his opening fixture where he made 140 break. Kyren Wilson showed that he is the man in form by beating Judd Trump in the second round. He played against Ryan Day in the next round, Ryan won the deciding frame in his second round match against John Higgins. In other second round matches Mark Selby passes Zhou Yuelong by winning the deciding frame, Ding Junhui, Barry Hawkins and Mark Williams winning their opponents with an identical 6:3 score. In quarter final match Ronnie O'Sullivan easily passes Stuart Bingham, Kyren Wilson as well as Ding Junhui clinch their matches, against Ryan
2018
SHANGHAI MASTERS title remains in the Ronnie's possession
Shanghai Masters is the richest invitation event in snooker history, and it's going to be even richier. New five year agreement between World Snooker, Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association and the promoter Juss Sports guarantees increase of the prize money to £750,000 in 2019, £775,000 in 2020, £800,000 in 2021 and £825,000 in 2022.
Day and Mark Selby, in the deciding frames, Barry Hawkins somewhat easier comes to victory over Mark Williams. Wilson's winning streak was stopped by O'Sullivan in their semi final match in which Wilson lost several key frames that he probably should have won. Afterwords Ronnie said that: “I’d love to have more battles with Kyren. He is a great competitor and a great guy. He has some of the qualities that the older generation have. He loves the sport, gives it everything and pays attention to detail.” Barry Hawkins yet again showing that he loves to play long matches. He even recovered from losing five frames in succession, when Ding turn
result from 4:7 in to 9:7 lead. Buy Barry comes out as a winner of this high quality match after winning three remaining frames. In the final O’Sullivan had trailed for much of the first session which ended 6:4 in Barry's favour. O'Sullivan used interval between the sessions to correct his cueing at the practice table, and it work out well for him. He started to play with a bit more confidence and freedom. Ronnie came in to lead for the first time in 13th frame, advantage he no longer dropped. Ronnie O'Sullivan successfully defended the title by beating Barry Hawkins 11:9 in the final. It is the fifth time O’Sullivan has claimed a major title in China and third time he has won the Shanghai Masters. Ends
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The 2018 Evergrande China Championship was the 4th tournament of the 2018/2019 snooker season. Qualifying round matches took place between 19th and 22nd August 2018 at the Preston Guild Hall in Preston, England. Main draw (last 64) matches were played for the first time at the Tianhe Sports Centre in Guangzhou. This was tornament third edition and the second time as a full ranking event. This year the tournament prize fund was £725,000, champion's share was a cheque (and a ranking points) for £150,000. World number three Ronnie O'Sullivan has decided not to play on tornament and World number eight Kyren Wilson, after a winning his qualifying match, withdrew from the competition few days before start of main event for “personal reasons”. Luca Brecel as a defending champion was number one seed, but lost his first round match against Martin O'Donnell.
This was Mark Selby's first ranking title of the 2018/2019 season and seventh in China
This short tournament report we'll start with naming Chang Bing Yu young chinese amateur player who first beat Jimmy Robertson, than he won against Robert Milkins in the first round, to eventually lose to World number one Selby.
Oldest chinese player at the tournament Mei Xiwen also had a good run winning matches against Li Hang at the qualifiers and Michael White in the deciding frame. He did a lot of trouble to John Higgins when leading 4:2, but failed to clinch the match.
It seemed to be a sign to other young Chinese players as Yuan Sijun, Zhao Xintong and especially to Lyu Haotian who played whole tournament on the highest possible level. They overshadowed big chinese snooker stars like Ding Junhui, who lost from Sijun in second round, and Liang Wenbo who lost to Martin O'Donnell. Yan Bingtao also played well but he lost his match to playful Judd Trump.
Graeme Dott has had 4:1 lead but Stuart Carrington forced match in to decider which was won by Dott on the black. In the next round Graeme beats Neil Robertson 5:2, then lose in the last 16 to Barry Hawkins.
Photo:
@WPBSAofficial
Fergal O'Brien secured second round by winning Ali Carter who made break of 144 in first frame and lose 5:1 to former British Open winner. Already mentioned Xintong stopped Fergal, then he overcome World Champion Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins in quarter finals.
In his first career ranking semifinal Zhao Xintong started to play well little bit to late, in the forth frame he showed bit of his form when he made 72 break. When scoreline was 4:1 to Selby 21 year old chinese player answered with three frames in a row, but Selby did not allowed surprise by winning the encounter 6:4. In second semi final Lyu Haotian, one of the youngest snooker players to have played in professional tournaments, played against John Higgins who was in the vicinity to his 49th ranking final. John, whos game was not convincing, started by winning first two frames. Haotian tryed to oppose by winning third frame, but again experience played the main role, as John outlasted Lyu in a grueling battle. The winner of the Final was hardly foreseeable, of the 171 frames Mark Selby & John Higgins have contested in ranking play just one separated them, Higgins won 86 while Selby won 85 of them. The course of the match was uncertain, most of the time both players played in their "second game" level, tactical battles were common with plenty of safety duels. Scoreline also shoved no difference between them, few odd misstakes could turn result, as It happend in the 17th frame when Selby missed black while clearing. Higgins won the next, 18th frame, and was one frame away from victory but Mark didn't give up, he took penultimate frame. Once again, Selby showed his character in the tense deciding frame after more than seven hours of play, he won his 15th title. Ends
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“thats what i'm dreamed of since when I was a kid” "I never thought that this day will happen, way my career gone so far”
Jimmy Robertson after winning his maiden professional ranking title
EUROPEAN MASTERS The 2018 D88.com European Masters was the 5th tournament of the 2018/2019 snooker season. Qualifying round matches took place between 17th and 18th August 2018 at the Preston Guild Hall in Preston, England. Main draw (last 64) matches were played at the De Soeverein Congress Centre in Lommel, Belgium. Defending champion Judd Trump won his held over qualifying round match against Martin O'Donnell, with the same 4:0 scoreline he defeated Liam Highfield in the first round, but his defence was stopped by Tian Pengfei in the second round. Luca Brecel's qualifying match was also held over in which he beat Daniel Wells. Home favourite also won next two matches against Luo Honghao and Alan McManus in which he had fought back from 3:0 down to victory in front of delighted home crowd. The major first round upsets were surprising defeats by Barry Hawkins and Neil Robertson, Barry simply wasn't in the match which Craig Steadman won easily, Andrew Higginson
played well to beat Neil. After a long journey from China World number one Mark Selby, unlike John Higgins who withdrew from the tournament, played his first, and probably second match as well, in "sleep mode", finally he has lost his Last 16 meeting to Ryan Day. Anthony Hamilton, 47 year old player from Nottingham showed once again that he is in a good form this season, he had problems with his back injury, but it looks that he has recovered and that he's ready to fight again. He has won his first two matches with ease, but in the meeting against Brecel he survived Luca's come back from 3:0 down, winning that match in the deciding frame.
Jimmy Robertson after 16 years as a Professional snooker player lifting his first trophy
print screen
Mark Allen was top seed left in the tournament, but his run was stopped in quarter final by Jimmy Robertson. In fact it was first match which Jimmy won without needing to play on final black as he did in the previous three matches. There is not much talk about him, but Joe Perry is also player from the famous "Class of 1992". The Gentleman played well throughout the tournament and he had faced with Anthony Hamilton in the semi final. The intriguing encounter began as a very nervous one, both players wanted but failed to produce good game, probably because of the stakes: Joe was so close to Top 16, but he needed tournament victory to reach It. Anthony also had plans, but in the end Perry came as a winner of this semi final. Mark King was yet another experienced player who played in consistent form this season. He
did show high quality game in Belgium especially against Bingham, but also in the other matches. In the semi final against Jimmy Robertson he played well, even had slitely advantage in the middle of the match, but Jimmy has made difference with the 82 and 132 breaks to lead 5:3. With the 6:4 win Roberson came in his first ranking final. THE FINAL It was surprising start of this final, Jimmy came in to five straight frames advantage, Joe had fought by winning the three remaining frames of the first session. But in the end Robertsons advanage proved to be too much for quite nervous Perry. This week’s giant leap forward will surely give Jimmy Robertson the belief that he can win more titles in near future. Robertson, 32 year old from Bexhill-on-Sea celebrated career biggest success with the family and friends. Ends
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www.gbechina.com
Evans Above at European Women’s Masters England’s Reanne Evans lifted her first silverware of the 2018/19 World Women’s Snooker Tour season with a 4-1 victory against Nutcharut Wongharuthai last weekend. The 11-time world champion and current world number two came into the tournament on the back of a surprise last 16 exit at last month’s UK Women’s Championship, but it was to be a different story at De Maxx club in Neerpelt as she dropped just one frame on her way to the title.
star of the future this weekend.
Following her progress through the group stages she stunned reigning world champion On Yee with a 3-1 success, before adding the scalps of Emma Parker and home favourite and 12-time EBSA European champion Wendy Jans with a 4-2 Following victories against Caty Dehaene and Ho semi-final victory. Yee Ki, she then avenged her defeat to Rebecca In a cagey final however it was to be Evans who Kenna in Leeds with a dominant 4-0 victory proved too strong, winning the final three frames against the world number three in the semi-finals. from 1-1 to add another ranking title to her already For the second time in 2018 it was not long-time unrivalled CV. Victory also sees Evans significantly rival Ng On Yee who would await her in the final, close the gap to Ng On Yee at the top of the but instead Thailand’s Nutcharut Wongharuthai world rankings ahead of this month’s Australian Women’s Open in Sydney. who once again underlined her credentials as a
Before the Final: Reanne Evans (Eng), Referee Bart Tournel and Nutcharut Wongharuthai (Tha) For the defeated Wongharuthai she has the consolation of having broken into the world’s top ten for the first time following her final run, a status that few would be surprised to see her retain for some time to come.
Side-events Despite her unexpected early exit in the main competition the weekend, world number one Ng On Yee would not leave Belgium empty-handed following her success in the Challenge Cup sideevent. A competition open to players who had not reached the quarter-finals of the main competition, the event saw an unusually strong field with four of the world’s top eight players all in action during the final two days. Following victories against Laura Evans, Diana Schuler and Diana Stateczny, On Yee saw off fellow Hong Kong player Katrina Wan in the final to claim victory.
In the Under-21 competition there was success for England’s Emma Parker who shrugged off the disappointment of losing to Nutcharut Wongharuthai in her first-ever ranking event quarter-final to turn the tables on the Thai player with a 2-0 final victory and win her fourth junior event. The win also sees Parker achieve a significant milestone as she rises to top spot on the WLBS Under-21 ranking list ahead of Shannon Metcalf for the first time in her career. Finally there was also victory for India’s Chitra Magimairaj in the Seniors side-event after she defeated Australia’s Judy Dangerfield 3-1 in the final. The success is the first for Magimairaj on the World Women’s Snooker Tour since the 2016 World Championship Seniors competition. World Ladies Billiards and Snooker extends its thanks to all players and supporters who attended the event, in particular Wendy Jans (and her father Guy) who as the owner of De Maxx was a fantastic host and could not have been more accommodating of the event. continued on next page
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Reanne Evans and Mandy Fisher
Ng On Yee and Katrina Wan
Sunita Khandelwal and Chitra Magimairaj
Referee Bart Tournel and Ema Parker
View the latest WLBS 2018/19 events calendar | www.womenssnooker.com/events |
Matt Huart Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
www.wpbsa.com wpbsaofficial
@wpbsaofficial Ends
Champions Crowned in Northampton
Mickey Chambers
Daniel Harwood
Shabir Ahmed
Paul Smith
#Cue4All @WDBS1 @WDBSofficial website > ww.wdbs.info *players accompanied with Chairman of World Disability Billiards and Snooker Nigel Mawer
William Thomson
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Champions Crowned in Northampton End of September saw the staging of the record-breaking Fizz Open Disability Snooker Championship at Barratts Snooker Club in Northampton. The third event of the 2018/19 season organised by World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) boasted an incredible field of 79 competitors across the weekend, smashing the previous record of 55 set at the Welsh Open earlier this year. Players from all eight disability classification groups contested six individual titles, with a mix of new and former champions taking top honours.
On photo: Shabir Ahmed (WDSB) Physical disabilities In the Group 1-2 category for wheelchair players it was Aslam Abubaker who won his first WDBS title. A former runner-up at this event last year in Wolverhampton and July’s Welsh Open, it was to be third time lucky as he defeated Shahab Siddiqui 2-0 to secure victory. “I am delighted to win,” said Abubaker. “It has been a marvellous snooker tournament and I'm really pleased to get over the line and get a win on the board.” The Group 3 ambulant competition saw Scotland’s William Thomson complete a hat-trick of WDBS victories with a resounding 4-0 success against defending champion Daniel Blunn. Thomson, who has HMSN type 2, dropped just one frame throughout the event and also made the weekend-high break of 66 across all classifications on his way to the title. It was a similar story in Group 4-5 as Preston’s
Mickey Chambers made it two titles from two with a 3-1 success against 2017 champion David Church. Chambers, who is a lower leg amputee and also represents England’s amputee football team, progressed through to the final without the loss of a frame and was delighted to end the weekend on top again. “I am very happy both to win and how I was playing all weekend,” said Chambers. “I've come up against some new players that I have never played before but I just tried to implement my game and scare my opponents really. “It has been a long weekend but a fantastic one. I met some really good people and really great players from all different groups. It has been an honour to be involved and I want to thank the sponsors and everyone who came - literally the last frame there you can hear a pin drop and everyone was watching, everyone was involved.”
by Matt Huart
Groups 6-8 The remaining three events for players with learning and sensory disabilities each saw repeat victories for the trio of players who came out on top at February’s UK Open tournament also in Northampton. Daniel Harwood completed the successful defence of his Fizz Open title with a dominant 4-0 victory against fellow Liverpudlian Leroy Williams in the final. With four breaks over 30 during the weekend, Harwood dropped just one frame on his way to a fourth WDBS title, the most for a Group 6 player so far. It was a similar story for former professional Paul Smith who also claimed his fourth WDBS win with a 4-1 success against first-time finalist Ronnie Allen from Wales. Having come through a tight five-player round robin group, Smith defeated Robert Craft in the semi-finals before seeing off Allen in the decisive match to secure yet another title. “I am very happy with the win and have enjoyed every bit of it,” said Smith. “It is a long day, but most enjoyable and, as always, expertly run. It is like one big family and a joy to be here. I really enjoyed meeting and playing with Ronnie in the final, he is a gracious and humble guy and a very good player too.” Finally, there was also further glory for Shabir Ahmed who defeated Nikolas De Whytell 4-2 to secure victory. Ahmed did not drop a frame on his way to the final, before seeing off another first-time finalist in De Whytell to win his fourth WDBS crown and confirm his status as the most successful deaf player so far. “There have been so many players and I have had to be really focused and determined,” said Ahmed. “The final was really difficult, it was a battle, but in the end, I won and I am very happy and pleased with myself. I just want to carry on and keep winning!” Side-events The mixed classification Challenge Cup for competitors who did not progress to the knockout rounds of the main tournament was won by Richard Gott and Richard Bradburn, who defeated David Grant and Danny Luton in the final.
It is a second doubles victory for Gott of 2018 after his previous triumph back in Cwmbran this summer. There was also a win for John Fenwick in our firstever WDBS billiards competition held on Friday after he defeated Daniel Blunn in a close final to secure victory. Open day success Once again, the weekend began with a successful Friday open day which saw visitors including international Paralympic broadcaster Rob Walker, professional stars Kyren Wilson and Harvey Chandler, as well as local MP Michael Ellis and Mayor of Northampton Cllr Tony Ansell stop by to support the event. The event was also generously supported by FizzThinks360, with company founder Jonny ‘Fizz’ Welch and his team in attendance during the weekend. WDBS Vice-Chairman Simon Berrisford said: “It has been a fantastic weekend with so many entries. It has been extremely busy but everyone seems happy, we have seen some really highquality snooker and some good finals on the way. “It has been great to see so many players travel from overseas and this is what we want to see moving forwards, more nationalities getting involved. The support from Belgium has been fantastic, we were there in March and now they are coming to our events. We've had Andy Lam from Hong Kong and the guys from Poland have really enjoyed their first event too.” We would finally like to thank everybody at Barratts Snooker Club, for their support during the weekend once again. We are also delighted that during the weekend the venue became the latest venue to sign up to the 147 Club, the official club affiliation scheme of the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards. We would finally like to thank everybody at Barratts Snooker Club, for their support during the weekend once again. We are also delighted that during the weekend the venue became the latest venue to sign up to the 147 Club, the official club affiliation scheme of the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards. Ends
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Imagine this scenario: You are playing World number one to reach the very end of the prestigious tournament, situation is as on the picture, slightly tricky red near cushion, referee is watching every move you make ...
USING THE SHORT REST For the most players, especially amateurs, rest is probably the most dreaded implement in the game. In this article we shall give few advices how to improve your game when using the rest. First advice is, as in all sports, if you want to win ... then practice. When doing so, as much energy you put in to practice, all these efforts will be paid back in the form of quality of your game, often when you needed most. Using the short rest in the game of snooker is no exception, just find the right training method and improvement will definitely come. Let's start with a few examples: Matthew Stevens is one of the players who often plays shot lefthanded rather than use the rest, in some shots when rest needed he even use his famous "quite chewed" extension instead. Tony Drago is another player whos major failings was his unortodox grip when he used the rest, he simply said that he do not like it using it. On the other side Akani Sunny Songsermsawad using short rest (and all other implements) on his specific fashion. You can improve play with the rest by removing a few drawbacks.
When using the rest, use all the basic pre shot routine principles as when you play a other shots, for the begining set up your body into right position. Sometimes when playing with the short rest stretching will be required. Approaching the shot on the right way is one of the main necessities, allow yourself just a bit more thinking time, plenty of space when lining up the shot and watch out other balls on the playing surface, do not make a simple foul. Rest has his upper and lower side, choose with
How much space do you have between the head of the rest and the cue ball? The most suitable distance is approximately from 8 inches and up to 12 inches, or even inch or so more when playing shot which requires more power such as backspin or run through. which side is better to play that given shot, advice is to play with the lower side, unless if you need to play top spin. When you place rest on the table rest head (x) should be placed some 20 to 30 centimetres away from the cue ball (see graphic above). Set your body position in the way that cue butt is not raised to high (striking down on the cue ball decreases accuracy) and place your tip as close as possible to the cue ball. Allow yourself few waggles, to find out if your
chin restricts freedom of backswing, and pay attention to cueing forearm which should be raised in comfortable position which allows arm movement in straight line. Pay attention to the grip, thumb, index and middle finger should be in form of ring, with rest of your fingers wrapped around the cue, to give you best possible feeling when playing. When playing shot do not push cue too far through that may cause deviation from your aimed and desired line.
Not recommended If you want to bridge over any ball on the middle of the table that's not the way to do it. In those kind of situations it's wiser to consider using some other implements as spider rest, extended spider or even swan rest
Common mistakes Chalk your tip before playing, it will give you few extra seconds to consider the situation on table. Do not try to play some fancy shots, keep it simple. As always your eyes must be on the object ball when playing the shot, do not look in the rest or some other objects on (or around) the table. The cue must be gripped in a specific manner, not to hard but not to lightly either. If you feel wobbly pause for a second and go away from the shot, then try to approach same shot on more confident way. And at the end always hold the rest firmly down on the table. Ends
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We've always wanted to find out more about antique cues, so we did ask few questions to Andy Hunter, the world's leading authority on antique cues made in the United Kingdom
HOW TO BECOME THE VINTAGE CUES
COLLECTOR Please tell us little about Yourself; how did you get involved and when did you start to play billiards and/or snooker and on which level ... and how did you become a collector - I started playing snooker in 1978. My uncle played and he gave me a machine spliced Riley diamond cue to play with, this is what got me playing and interested in old cues. This also got me interested in making cues. I played snooker at a high level and billiards at an average level. I have a passion for cues but do not operate as a business. I have people from all around the world contacting me regarding old cues. In the 1990s I wrote articles for the Billiard Player magazine, these gave information about old cues and a lot of people refer to these. I am currently in the process of updating theses with Peter Ainsworth who helped with the original articles. We shall start with one pretty amateurish question: What do you consider and how do you detemine that one cue is an antique (vintage) cue, do you define them according the year they are made, (name of) manufacturer or does something else playing the role in that decision. ... How big role in the valuation of the cue has fact that some famous player (till example Joe Davis) has played with an cue? - I focus on cues produced before 1970 anything after that is new to me whether a cue is antique or not is based on its age. If you have documented evidence that one of the old named players used a cue that will add value but you have to have proof. Is it difficult (nowadays) to find out who/which cue maker has made a cue and in which period (Year), especially if there are no recognizable marks on It ... How difficult is to get accurate information about old cues? - I can tell the age of a cue by looking at it but this is not something many people can do. A lot have marks or makers stamps, the weight stamps and design of the cues have changed over the years so there are things you can look for.
For more information about old cues please visit www.thecuecollector.com How can we find out cue value to old cues, which details determine that those are still valuable even if damaged or bended? - The value of cues can fluctuate a good example of this is the Burwatt champion over a year I have seen them vary from ÂŁ200 to ÂŁ500. The rarity of the cue is important if you have a rare named player cue or a maker where there are not many around these will always be worth more. The exception is the first edition Burroughs and Watts Ye Olde ash cue and the Eureka these two cue usually fetch good money despite not being really rare. A bend in a cue does not devalue a rare cue for a collector. If a cue is damaged it depends on how damaged it is and how rare it is. One of the biggest things that devalues a cue which is otherwise in good condition is the quality of the badge or the stamp in the butt. A lot of people who get in touch with me are looking for my opinion on a cue and its value.
Burroughs and Watts Ye Olde Ash Cue
Which cue(s) are, according to you, the most valuable one(s) to collectors and which antique cue is most expensive or even invaluable for which you have heard or you maybe seen it? - For a professional players cue I would say the Joe Davis cue which is in the Thurston's museum. Walter Lindrum's playing cue because of the collectors market in Australia. I have seen Thelma Carpenter's playing cues which were two Clark McConachy cues in an original leather case. Other than a professional players personal cue there is a set of two piece Orme and Son cues with wooden joints still in the original leather case for two cues, with a set of ivory balls, and all the accessories from the time period over 100 years ago. These are in mint condition. Shaun Murphy until recently played with the antique cue, in one video (YouTube) you showed that it's possible (and enjoyable) to play with the old cue, what is the difference to play with an old cue in comparison to newly produced cue. - Some old cues play just the same as modern cues but equally some of the older cues don't. As long as a cue is looked after, by that I mean the wood it should last for years. I have knocked plenty 100 breaks in with old as well as modern cues. - What is your advice to those who would like to become a cue collectors, how they may learn more about this interesting hobby? My advice would be get in touch with someone like me, I am putting articles that I worked on with Peter Ainsworth on the Vintage billiards and snooker Forum which is run by David Bennett. A friend of mine who I helped when he started collecting has a web site cues and views which is a good one to look at. Be cautious as there are people who may take advantage of a new collector who has little knowledge. If anyone is looking for advice about a cue from me I need pictures and information on the cue, I am happy to help before someone purchases.
watch it on channel by David Bennett
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Photography from the archive: @SnookerCroatia
SnookerWorld
Allison Fisher and Mike Massey shearing a joke Picture was taken in Borlänge, Sweden (1996.) when Allison become World 9 ball champion for the first time. After eleven World snooker Champion titles she become one of the best pool female players in all times. Recently we asked Allison will she return in snooker, she said "I don't think I will, but never say never�
NEW LOOK
@academysnooker
www.starsnookeracademy.com
Star Snooker Academy now based at Steelers Sports Club in Sheffield got an even more attractive look with new under table lighting and World Champions gallery wall, with photos of Champions starting from 1980 to present day.
MOONCAKE After the Shanghai Masters tournament John Higgins traveled around China. On his way to next tournament in Guangzhou the wizard of Wishaw visited Hong Kong where he enyoyed the Mid-Autumn festivities organised at East Asia Snooker Centre, where he tested the traditional mooncake biscuits. Mooncakes are offered between friends or on family gatherings while celebrating the festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the four most important Chinese festivals. with publishing permission: www.sportsroad.hk @Sportsroad
YET ANOTHER VICTORY Filip Bermanec (Mr Q SC, Zagreb) reigning croatian snooker champion wins first tournament of the new 2018/2019 Croatian snooker season, at decent tournament as he shortly described.
FIN and RONNIE
@CrossgunsSC www.crossgunssnookerclub.com
“The Old Club has had some really special visitors over the years none more so than today (Wednesday, October 3rd) when the five time World Champion Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan stopped by�
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more than ten years around the snooker tables Š 2007 - 2018 Snooker Croatia • Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE) Media
