We lost tonight for the second consecutive year in the Inter League Championship Final.
Apart from Michael making a 50 break , the standard was poor to say the least. The less said about it the better really.
Maybe next time ...
Monday 26 April 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Inter-League Semi Final
Tonight's semi final was between two teams full of experienced quality players. A close match was expected. Our opponents were Manchester & District "A" .
Our first player was a good friend of mine & fellow ex-pro Michael Wild. After a missed chance early on , Michael got another chance & knocked in a superb 86 clearance. 1-0.
Up next for us was myself. Our captain chose different tactics tonight & put his strongest players on early on instead of later. His tactics worked perfectly. I played another experienced amateur. We both had a few chances but it was me who ended out winning by 45pts. 2-0. Were now +110 on aggregate.
Next up for us was our Irish friend Jamie McCardle. He's a great potter Jamie & has had a good season knocking in some sizeable breaks in all competitions. It turned out to be a scrappy affair but ultimately Jamie won extending our lead to 3-0 & + 140 on agg.
Mid-session interval ...
It all seemed plain sailing , but snooker is a funny game with lots of twists & turns.
Our next player Darren didn't have the best of nights & to be fair his opponent played really well as he had to otherwise the match was over. There captain was Darren's opponent & he played very well winning by 80. The atmosphere changed in an instant as now from an almost impossible position they could actually snatch victory away from us. 3-1 & +60 agg.
I had a discussion with our captain & agreed to play our representative from Oldham. Saj is a very good potter & is also left handed like myself. It was a cagey opening with some good safety. There player knocked in a good 30 break for starters. We were now only 30pts infront. We couldn't possibly lose from being 3-0 up & 140 infront could we?
You bet we couldn't ! Saj dug deep & made a 45 break to extinguish any hope they had of winning.
It was a great nights snooker with lots of quality players on show. We ran out easy 6-1 winners in the end.
Our final opponents are Bolton "A" who beat the 2007 champions Urmston by the same score line 6-1.
The final will be played next Monday 26th April @ Withington Bowling Club , Derby Rd , Withington. It's a 745pm start. Anybody wanting any information or directions for the night ,send me an email.
Our first player was a good friend of mine & fellow ex-pro Michael Wild. After a missed chance early on , Michael got another chance & knocked in a superb 86 clearance. 1-0.
Up next for us was myself. Our captain chose different tactics tonight & put his strongest players on early on instead of later. His tactics worked perfectly. I played another experienced amateur. We both had a few chances but it was me who ended out winning by 45pts. 2-0. Were now +110 on aggregate.
Next up for us was our Irish friend Jamie McCardle. He's a great potter Jamie & has had a good season knocking in some sizeable breaks in all competitions. It turned out to be a scrappy affair but ultimately Jamie won extending our lead to 3-0 & + 140 on agg.
Mid-session interval ...
It all seemed plain sailing , but snooker is a funny game with lots of twists & turns.
Our next player Darren didn't have the best of nights & to be fair his opponent played really well as he had to otherwise the match was over. There captain was Darren's opponent & he played very well winning by 80. The atmosphere changed in an instant as now from an almost impossible position they could actually snatch victory away from us. 3-1 & +60 agg.
I had a discussion with our captain & agreed to play our representative from Oldham. Saj is a very good potter & is also left handed like myself. It was a cagey opening with some good safety. There player knocked in a good 30 break for starters. We were now only 30pts infront. We couldn't possibly lose from being 3-0 up & 140 infront could we?
You bet we couldn't ! Saj dug deep & made a 45 break to extinguish any hope they had of winning.
It was a great nights snooker with lots of quality players on show. We ran out easy 6-1 winners in the end.
Our final opponents are Bolton "A" who beat the 2007 champions Urmston by the same score line 6-1.
The final will be played next Monday 26th April @ Withington Bowling Club , Derby Rd , Withington. It's a 745pm start. Anybody wanting any information or directions for the night ,send me an email.
Sunday 18 April 2010
World Championships
Today is the start of the 2010 World Snooker Championships at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It's the first year i won't be sharing watching it with my Father but im sure you'll be watching it from above Dad. x
Aswell as the snooker starting i had a full day planned with my family. Firstly the alarm went off at 8am as we were going to the City Academy in Fallowfield where Brandon plays with children his own age on Saturday mornings from 930-1130. Snooker & Football are his favourite sports so he had the best of both worlds today!
We collected Steph on the way also as she was spending the day with us too. After we had finished at the football , we made our way over to my Mother's where we all had a bite to eat. We had arranged to go to Stockport after eating & listening to the football on the radio. City lost 1-0 in injury time & Spurs won 2-1 so it's going to be tough now finishing in 4th spot at the end of the season...
Off to Stockport we went. Brandon had some new Nike Trainers , Steph had some new Sandals & i treated myself to the Argentina National Team football t-shirt with Tevez printed on the back. Im saving it for the World Cup which starts in June. Were all really looking forward to that starting. Whilst we were out , we popped into a fancy coffee shop & all had a drink with some cakes too , happy days.
I dropped Mum off at 6pm then took Steph back to her mums. Next me & Brandon went to Roseanna's to have our hair done. He loves going there as he gets to see Rose's two lads Alex & Luca. We both had our hair done , he had a play & me and rose had a catch up on everything.
We arrived home around 9pm after a full day to say the least. We watched some snooker & eventually went to bed around midnight.
It's the Inter-League semi final Monday night. The venue is at the Barrfield Club in Salford. I will update the result on Tuesday as to how we got on ...
Aswell as the snooker starting i had a full day planned with my family. Firstly the alarm went off at 8am as we were going to the City Academy in Fallowfield where Brandon plays with children his own age on Saturday mornings from 930-1130. Snooker & Football are his favourite sports so he had the best of both worlds today!
We collected Steph on the way also as she was spending the day with us too. After we had finished at the football , we made our way over to my Mother's where we all had a bite to eat. We had arranged to go to Stockport after eating & listening to the football on the radio. City lost 1-0 in injury time & Spurs won 2-1 so it's going to be tough now finishing in 4th spot at the end of the season...
Off to Stockport we went. Brandon had some new Nike Trainers , Steph had some new Sandals & i treated myself to the Argentina National Team football t-shirt with Tevez printed on the back. Im saving it for the World Cup which starts in June. Were all really looking forward to that starting. Whilst we were out , we popped into a fancy coffee shop & all had a drink with some cakes too , happy days.
I dropped Mum off at 6pm then took Steph back to her mums. Next me & Brandon went to Roseanna's to have our hair done. He loves going there as he gets to see Rose's two lads Alex & Luca. We both had our hair done , he had a play & me and rose had a catch up on everything.
We arrived home around 9pm after a full day to say the least. We watched some snooker & eventually went to bed around midnight.
It's the Inter-League semi final Monday night. The venue is at the Barrfield Club in Salford. I will update the result on Tuesday as to how we got on ...
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Inter-League Quarter Final
Tonight was the quarter final of the Inter League competition. Our captain Mike Thorpe informed me before the match started that two of our stronger players were unavailable due to other commitments so we were going to have to dig deep with a weakened team. What a topsy turvy match it turned out to be.
We lost the first frame by 40. Second up for us was Jamie. He managed to nick the win on the colours. 1-1. After the third frame we found ourselves 2-1 down & 62 behind on aggregate. Mike & myself were the remaining two players left. Which way would he play it...?
Mike put himself on fourth & what a performance he made. He potted almost everything he went for & trounced his opponent by 69pts!
The pressure was now reversed onto me going on last. We were 7pts infront now on aggregate. The previous night i had made a 120 break in my Cup competition , but with all my vast experience i've learnt over the many years i've been playing , i knew today was another day...
It turned out to be a fragmented tactical battle with a place in the semi's riding on the outcome. It was never going to be a one visit win with the balls going awkward. It turned out to be proper nail biting stuff. We both had half chances to win it on the colours even though they were placed quite awkwardly. I ended up potting a 6ft Pink into the Green pocket to seal our semi final spot!
What a great ending to a tension filled night. Roll on the semi final...
We lost the first frame by 40. Second up for us was Jamie. He managed to nick the win on the colours. 1-1. After the third frame we found ourselves 2-1 down & 62 behind on aggregate. Mike & myself were the remaining two players left. Which way would he play it...?
Mike put himself on fourth & what a performance he made. He potted almost everything he went for & trounced his opponent by 69pts!
The pressure was now reversed onto me going on last. We were 7pts infront now on aggregate. The previous night i had made a 120 break in my Cup competition , but with all my vast experience i've learnt over the many years i've been playing , i knew today was another day...
It turned out to be a fragmented tactical battle with a place in the semi's riding on the outcome. It was never going to be a one visit win with the balls going awkward. It turned out to be proper nail biting stuff. We both had half chances to win it on the colours even though they were placed quite awkwardly. I ended up potting a 6ft Pink into the Green pocket to seal our semi final spot!
What a great ending to a tension filled night. Roll on the semi final...
Monday 12 April 2010
Ton-up Club
After a 10hr day at work today , i set off to Rileys Belle Vue which is just a 5 minute drive from my work place.
I was playing Adrian Ladkin in the 4th round of the Presidents Cup at 8.45pm. He was receiving +44 off me. He is capable of knocking a break in so i knew i had to keep things tight with him receiving a big start.
The first frame was a tactical battle with not much scoring. I had a 30+ break but the frame came down to the colours. I managed to pot a good Brown & Blue then a safety exchange developed on the Pink. After several length of the table safety shots by both of us , Adrian misjudged his next shot & i cut it back into the middle bag to win the first. 1-0.
The second frame i rolled back the years. After a safety exchange , i was left a long pot knowing if it went in i was right in amongst the Black area. It duly went in & i compiled a magnificent 120 break. I was always in close control around the Black spot. The table was nice & fast which suits my "touch" game. I played a crowd pleasing exhibition shot on the final Black doubling it the full length of the table which was the only ball i missed with a total clearance on.
If not next season , then the season after im going to have another tilt on the circuit as i know i can still compete at the highest level.
My game is in very good shape. I will be contacting some of my old practice partners in the near future to sharpen up my match play as well as continuing to have practice sessions with my very good friend Pete Stanyer. He's a diamond is Pete & a very accomplished player in all Cue Sports
Inter-League tomorrow night , would be nice to knock another ton in then too ...
I've added a picture of Adrian & Me here taken about 8yrs ago.
Friday 9 April 2010
MSL Updates & Upcoming Fixtures
Tuesday 30th March i played Mark Gorman in the 3rd round of the Presidents Cup @ Denton Liberal Club.I was giving him +20. The first frame was a scrappy affair with the balls going awkward.It came down to the last Black & i played a back double into the Black pocket making sure the cue ball went safe.Played it perfectly , 1-0. The 2nd frmae was totally different with me compiling a 61 break thus winning the frame in two scoring visits. Won 2-0.
Thursday 1st April our league fixture was against Rileys Belle Vue "B" at the Crucible. In my match i had to give my opponent +42. I have only lost 1 league match at home all season , a record im proud of & wanted to keep intact. After a safety exchange i was gifted a great chance & took full advantage of it by making a nice 62 break , but missed a quarter ball cut on the blue when right in! There were 4 reds around the black & for sure if i hadn't missed that blue it would of been a 100+. After he potted a couple of balls he let me in again. I finished the match off & our team sealed a 5-2 the following frame.
Thursday 8th April we were visiting the league leaders , Oldham Snooker Academy. We lost the 1st match on the black but that was there only success all night. After 4 matches we were 3-1 ahead. I played there captain giving him +18. It was a tactical battle type frame with no breaks of note. It was settled on the colours with me potting the last 4 colours two of which were tricky 6ft pots with the rest. There were quite alot of spectators gathering for the climax & all in all it was a great night with a good atmosphere. Won 6-1.
Monday 12th April im playing against Adrian Ladkin in the 4th rd of the Presidents Cup @ Belle Vue 845pm giving +44. Should be interesting...
Tuesday 13th April its the quarter final of the Greater Manchester Inter League. Were playing against Levenshulme @ Frames in Hyde 8pm.
I will post updates of all these comps.when completed.
Thursday 1st April our league fixture was against Rileys Belle Vue "B" at the Crucible. In my match i had to give my opponent +42. I have only lost 1 league match at home all season , a record im proud of & wanted to keep intact. After a safety exchange i was gifted a great chance & took full advantage of it by making a nice 62 break , but missed a quarter ball cut on the blue when right in! There were 4 reds around the black & for sure if i hadn't missed that blue it would of been a 100+. After he potted a couple of balls he let me in again. I finished the match off & our team sealed a 5-2 the following frame.
Thursday 8th April we were visiting the league leaders , Oldham Snooker Academy. We lost the 1st match on the black but that was there only success all night. After 4 matches we were 3-1 ahead. I played there captain giving him +18. It was a tactical battle type frame with no breaks of note. It was settled on the colours with me potting the last 4 colours two of which were tricky 6ft pots with the rest. There were quite alot of spectators gathering for the climax & all in all it was a great night with a good atmosphere. Won 6-1.
Monday 12th April im playing against Adrian Ladkin in the 4th rd of the Presidents Cup @ Belle Vue 845pm giving +44. Should be interesting...
Tuesday 13th April its the quarter final of the Greater Manchester Inter League. Were playing against Levenshulme @ Frames in Hyde 8pm.
I will post updates of all these comps.when completed.
Technical
Since my last post on the 24th March , i've experienced some technical difficulties gaining entry onto my Blog. Fortunately for me , Adrian who is the captain of the Thursday night team i play on along with Rob who also plays on the same team resolved my problem. There very clued up when it comes to computer issues. Just a click here & a click there and it was sorted.Thanks guys.
Right , alot has happened since i last posted. After City's poor showing against Everton at home , we have managed back to back win's against Wigan 3-0 & Burnley 6-1 !! Thats more like it Blues. Were currently in 4th position in the table which is where we want to be. Keep it going lads...
Birmingham at home this coming Sunday 4pm k.o.
Man.Utd. won there second leg against Bayern Munich on Wedsnesday night at home 3-2 but went out on the away goals rule after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.
It's the first time in 7yrs England dont have a team left in at the semi final stage.
Right , alot has happened since i last posted. After City's poor showing against Everton at home , we have managed back to back win's against Wigan 3-0 & Burnley 6-1 !! Thats more like it Blues. Were currently in 4th position in the table which is where we want to be. Keep it going lads...
Birmingham at home this coming Sunday 4pm k.o.
Man.Utd. won there second leg against Bayern Munich on Wedsnesday night at home 3-2 but went out on the away goals rule after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.
It's the first time in 7yrs England dont have a team left in at the semi final stage.
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