Cumbria County Snooker Individual Final and Semi-Final report
THE all-west Cumbrian final of the John Smith County Individual championship was won impressively by Whitehaven’s Robert Sim.
Peter O’Hagan of Workington was unable to prevent Sim from notching his third title after previous success in 2003 and 2004.
Professional referee Derek Hilary took charge of the final in Workington Royal British Legion in front of a big audience. Sim had started confidently and put together an opening break of 24 before running out of position, and going in off, O’Hagan replied with a 20 break and after he also ran out of position, Sim returned to the table and produced a frame-winning break of 73.
Sim was the stronger in frame two and kept his opponent off the table with some excellent snooker. He put together some small contributions before a clearance of 37 took the frame 69-10.
Frame three could have gone either way as both players made small points breaks before Sim crossed the line at 70-48.
O’Hagan was relieved to get on the scoreboard in the fourth as, with the help of a 33 break, he took the frame 65-58.
With a break of 38 O’Hagan went into the lead in frame five but missed playing out of a snooker. That allowed Sim to take the initiative and he cleared the colours to win on the black ball, 67-58.
O’Hagan knew that time was running-out, trailing 4-1 he had to produce something special. It looked good when he made a great break of 49, but after some safety play by both players, Sim attempted to pot a red into the middle pocket. Much to O’Hagan’s disbelief it knuckled and dropped in the corner bag. Although trailing 58-12 from this point Sim went on and amassed a clearance of 56 to take the frame 68-58, and the match by five frames to one.
The Semi’s
With Semi Final wins Peter O’Hagan and Robert Sim were to contest the Cumbria County Billiards and Snooker Association’s individual championship.
All four semi-finalists in the John Smith’s sponsored snooker competition were from the west of the county. O’Hagan, a former finalist, defeated Maryport’s Mike Park, who had never been as far, in a best of seven frames showdown. Frame five turned out to be the final one as O’Hagan made contributions of 23 and 17 to complete the match 66-27 and a final score of 4-1.
Workington British Legion Club was again the venue for the second semi-final and seats were taken up early as doubles partners Kevin Basnett and Robert Sim went head to head for a place in the final. Sim, a previous county champion, and Basnett, a beaten finalist, certainly know each other’s game, and the tie had all the makings of a classic.
Frame one got off to flyer with Sim smoothly producing a 46 break to go on and win the opener 71-15.
Frame two again saw Sim’s hours of practice pay off as he compiled a 56 break and went on to amass a further three points and complete the frame with a score line of 59-7.
In frame three, Basnett was starting to feel the pressure as Sim scored steadily and, with some small contributions of 22 and 16+, took the set by a score of 65 to 18.
The players had a 10 minute break, which probably helped Basnett compose himself because, when play commenced, he looked the stronger of the two competitors. He produced breaks of 40 and 31 for a well deserved frame win of 82-4 and reduced the deficit to 3-1.
The heat was starting to show as both players were starting to treat each other with respect and a series of safety exchanges took place. Gradually Sim started to nibble away with some small contributions as he built up a lead and, from there, went on to take the frame 64-16 for a 4-1 win.
Cumbria County Championship Quarter- Final Report
The Quarter final ties in the Cumbria County Snooker Championship started with Marchon player Robert Sim continuing his winning ways when he over come the challenge of Carlisle cueist Giles Finegan.
The initial frames were evenly contested as both players exchanged blows with a 2-2 the scoreline reflecting this. This pattern soon changed as the former county champion and last year’s runner up Sim took the next two frames securing his place in the semi finals, 4-2.
Kendal potter and former County Champion Andrew Milliard travelled to the Workington Railway club where his opponent Kevin Basnett a finalist in 2006 was waiting.
Kevin got off to a good start and with the help of 25 & 37 breaks in taking the first frame 79-8. The second frame got a bit messy with both players missing chances and it was the Kendal player who took the frame 53-65.
Frame three saw Andrew more determined and he started to produce some great potting, which resulted in a 39 break enabling him to take the frame 42-62 and a 2-1 lead.
Andrew was obviously starting to feel good with his form, but with a quick fire 37 break Kevin pegged Andrew back and took the frame 67-26, 2-2.
Andrew gave the impression that he had lost a frame that he should have won and started to take a few risky pots. Kevin subsequently got in with a well deserved 20 break and with some great safety play managed to create another chance resulting in a frame winning 45 break. Taking the frame 74-0 it was Kevin who now held a 3-2 lead.
Frame six saw Andy continue this attacking approach and with the aid of a 28 break forged a 31 point lead with just four reds left. With the game looking set for a decider Andy missed a red along the top cushion and Kevin constructed a fine 57 clearance under pressure in winning the frame 64-45 and the match 4-2.
Mike Park and Vince Peet contested their match at Workington Conservative club and with the winner moving through their first ever Semi Final in the Championship there was a lot at stake.
Mike settled early and took the first frame with breaks 34 and 20, 77-9.
He soon made it 2-0 with some great potting by compiling breaks of 31 and 30.
Frame three was probably the best frame of the match with Vince taking an early 14 point lead but it was Mike who constructed the match’s best break of 71 in taking the frame 77-14.
Vince facing an up hill struggle ground out a very scrappy frame win with some fine safety play 62-13 and 3-1 scoreline.
With both players making break contributions of 20+ a very high scoring frame saw Vince back in the match by taking the frame 84-57 and thus reducing Mikes lead 3-2.
Frame six saw Mike make an early 29 break but with the scores close an unforced error by the Keswick resulted in him going in off on the brown. This enabled Mike to clear and the 64-45 frame score saw the Cons player through to the Semi’s, 4-2.
Previous finalists Paul Wright (Portland Club, Carlisle) and Workington’s Peter O’Hagan contest their match at John St Club.
This was going to one of those games that was difficult to predict as both players are capable of running away with a match.
Peter took the first frame on the black after some great play by both players, but Paul hit back with a 46 break in the second frame to make the frame scores level 1-1.
Frame three went in favour of the John St player who constructed an excellent 68 break and with frame four going pretty much the same way Peter took it with a break of 65 for a 3-1 scoreline.
Peter now showing fine form negated any aspirations from the Carlisle player by closing out the match with a break of 48 for a 4-1 win.
SEMI FINAL DRAW:
Kevin Basnett (W’ton Railway Club) V Rob Sim (Marchon Club, W’haven)
Peter O’Hagan (John St. Club, W’ton) V Mike Park (W’ton Cons Club)
The draw for the Semi Finals was made by Joe Bell and Trevor Hildreth with venues and dates still to be confirmed.
Latest News 26/1/08:
Cumbria County Snooker Doubles Championship
Sunday the 10th February 2008, Portland Snooker Club Carlisle was the venue for what has come to be one of the county’s best green baize sporting events, attracting teams from across Cumbria.
Their aim was to win the Reardon’s Doubles Challenge Trophy, which is supported by Ron and Mary Wilson of the Portland Club.
Play got under way at 11am and with the preliminary rounds completed in a very tough fought out manner; it wasn’t long before breaks were being recorded as the final 16 teams chalked their cues and commenced battle.
Last years Champions John Airey and Dave Currie were unable to defend the title as John was unavailable, Dave with new partner Mally Lancaster were unable to over come their prelim game against the pairing of former county singles champion Dave Saulters and Alan Armstrong who went into the first round with a 3-1 win.
But it was to be their last only win as Stephen and Peter O’Hagan (County Doubles Champions 2006) defeated them by the same score line, 3-1.
The Quarter final round saw them taking on the challenge of the Carlisle duo Paul Wright and Paul Corbishley after they had completed a 3-0 win against a Workington pairing of A Mosytn and P Woodend.
This was a very intense game and with the score at 2-1 in favour of the Workington brothers Peter miscued and went in off the black thus awarding the frame to the Carlisle pair. Going into the deciding frame it was the O’Hagan’s in front once again by 15 points this time with 18 left on the table - only the blue required to secure their place in the semi-final. Stephen potted the blue only to see the cue ball roll precariously across the table and knock the black in which was situated on the edge of the corner pocket. This freed the path for the pink and Paul duly potted the re spotted blue, pink and black to see the Carlisle pair advance.
The pairing of Kevin Mercer and Neil Harrison saw them eliminate the former county champion Ivor Messenger and his playing partner Sal Kamack in straight frames.
Maryports finest: Maryport Social's Ivor Messenger & Sal Kamack pose for the cameras.
In their quarter final game they completed a straight frames win again against the Keswick pairing of John Thwaites and Vince Peet, who in their previous match disposed of Workington partnership Neil Henderson and Paul Johnstone 3-2.
Harrison and Mercer were soon back on the table again this time against fellow Carlisle pair of Wright and Corbishley. Harrison and Mercer went into an early lead but only to see Wright and Corbishley fight back and at one point it looked like a repeat of the O’Hagan’s match, but with the frame scores at 2-2 Mercer and Harrison pulled away and put their names into the final.
In the bottom part of the draw Carlisle pairings of Pattinson and Pattinson moved on to the next round with a 3-1 win against fellow club players Bell and Nicol.
Here they would meet four times champions Robert Sim and Kevin Basnett. Although they managed to take a frame it was the former champions that went into the semi finals, 3-1.
Cockermouth pair Hoad and Williams were beaten 3-0 by Workington partnership of Paul Mosytn and Karl Newton who play from the Seaton Royal British Legion Club. Their quarter final match was to be with Paul Graham and Steve Garroway who had earlier defeated fellow Railway club players and travelling partners Steven Little and Barry Collins.
This was another well fought game and one that could have either way. The Railway men looked certain to advance 3-1 however showing some great resolve the Legion pair stole the frame to take it to a decider. Difficult to regroup as it is in these situations Steve and Paul didn’t see a pot until they were nearly 50 points behind and the Seaton players moved to the semi-final with a 3-2 victory.
Waiting for them in the Semi-final was Robert Sim and Kevin Basnett and with the former County Doubles Champions form improving all the time they ended the challenge of Paul Mostyn and Karl Newton with a convincing 3-0 win hence taking them into the final.
The plate Final saw Ivor Messenger and Sal Kamack from Maryport Social club take on Derwent Club’s young guns Andrew Austin and Chris D’Leny. This is the first time the Andrew and Chris have entered the competition and with great maturity they displayed some very solid play to see them win the competition 2-1.
Derwent's young guns: Plate winner Chris D'Leny and Andrew Austin
The Final
Reardon’s Trophy
Kevin Mercer & Neil Harrison
V
Kevin Basnett & Robert Sim
Robert and Kevin looked very comfortable on the match table and with some excellent doubles play took the opening frame after some great exchanges by both teams.
Frame two saw Neil and Kevin going into a good lead and with Sim and Basnett requiring snookers they conceded the frame which levelled the scores 1-1.
Frames three and four went in the direction of Robert and Kevin, with 30+ breaks being made by all four players but it was the former champions who proved too stronger and took the championship for the fifth time in eight years.
County Doubles Champions 2008: Kevin Basnett & Robert Sim with the Trophy.
Full draw sheet:
Second Round Q/Final Semi Final Final
P O’Hagan/ S O’Hagan | 3 | P O’Hagan/ S O’Hagan | 2 | P Wright / P Corbishley | 2 | N Harrison / K Mercer | 1 |
D Saulters / A Armstrong | 1 | ||||||
A Mostyn / P Woodend | 0 | P Wright / P Corbishley | 3 | ||||
P Wright / P Corbishley | 3 | ||||||
N Henderson / P Johnstone | 2 | V Peet / J Thwaites | 0 | N Harrison / K Mercer | 3 | ||
V Peet / J Thwaites | 3 | ||||||
N Harrison / K Mercer | 3 | N Harrison / K Mercer | 3 | ||||
I Messenger / Sal Kamack | 0 | ||||||
M Pattinson / I Pattinson | 3 | M Pattinson / I Pattinson | 1 | R Sim / K Basnett | 3 | R Sim / K Basnett | 3 |
A Bell / D Nicol | 1 | ||||||
R Sim / K Basnett | 3 | R Sim / K Basnett | 3 | ||||
A Austin / C D’Leny | 0 | ||||||
P Hoad / B Williams | 0 | K Newton / P Mostyn | 3 | K Newton / P Mostyn | 0 | ||
K Newton / P Mostyn | 3 | ||||||
P Graham / S Garroway | 3 | P Graham / S Garroway | 2 | ||||
S Little / B Collins | 1 |
And just for laughs.....................
Paul 'Grahamo' Graham with the trophy on the Railway Club's bus. 'Do you think Basnett might actually part with a couple of quid and fill it up'
Latest News 26/1/08:
All the draws for the next round of all competitions are now available on the results/fixtures link.
Also please take time to read the league rules in the Snooker/league rules section.
Could all teams concerned please get your results to me ASAP to ensure all league tables/stats are as upto date as possible. The best way of doing this is to either email me the result or send me a photo of the card with your camera phone.
PS. I know it's not everyones cup of tea but photos of players etc. (keep it clean) are great for the site/local rag.
Cumbria County Championship Quarter- Final Draw
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