Hail the conquering hero…new handicaps…place your bets…
It’s been a good month for David Thomas. First his wife presents him with a baby boy (Ioan), and now he has become, for the second time, BCYC Snooker Champion. In due course the 2018 Champion (Jeff) will have David’s name engraved on the Trophy.
The Final took place yesterday afternoon. Eiddon won the first frame but David took the second and third to win the Tournament.
Provisional 2020 handicaps will be published early in the New Year. Last evening, in an exciting new development forged in the White Heat of the pre-dinner drinks at the bar, we decided that since gambling is now everywhere, the BCYC Snooker Tournament should drag itself into the modern era with a betting facility.
Fortunately we have in our midst one eminently qualified to undertake the organisation of this enterprise, namely John Morse. Even better, he has agreed to devise something suitable for next year’s Tournament, so we will look forward to that.
In closing, may I wish you all a festive, happy Christmas, and a pleasant and prosperous New Year.
The end game
Yesterday evening saw the last quarter-final played between Greg and David. This closely contested contest came down to the final pink and black with Greg ahead needing only the one ball. Unfortunately for him, in attempting a safety shot on the pink he went in off, and that meant David needed just the one ball. He potted it with assurance and ran out winner.
The semi-finals are therefore
1. David v Mark 2. Eiddon v Peter
The Snooker Christmas Dinner and Presentation is on Wednesday next, 7 for 7.30, Black Tie.
I trust that the semi-finalists will do their best to play ASAP so as to allow time for the Final, which is best of three frames, to be played well in advance of the Dinner.
All those receiving this email are of course entitled to attend the Dinner. If you have not already signed up please contact Greg or Tina on 366000, email bcycmanager@gmail.com or visit the Club. Always a convivial festive evening with presentation of the Trophy to the new BCYC Snooker Champion by the Commodore, so Be There !!
The semis: one down, one to go
Eiddon Davies continued his steady progress through the Tournament by beating previous Champion Peter Harrison to book his place in the final. We now await the result of the second semi between Mark Jenkins and David Thomas. Please do your best to play ASAP in order to leave good time for the Final, which, as you know, is best of three frames. The Snooker Christmas Dinner is on Wednesday next, 7 for 7.30, black tie, at which the Commodore will present the Trophy to the 2019 Champion.
Battle of the Titans
There they stood, Giants of the Green Baize, flexing their muscles, ready to do battle. Gotterdammerung confronts the Group of Death !!
First up, John Morse faced Greg Morgan. As is so often the case, it was the final black ball that decided the match, and it was Greg who potted it.
Next, our 5 times Champion, Jeff Evans, faced Mark Jenkins. A thrilling, fast paced, high scoring frame ensued. So fast paced, indeed, that the marker and ref (moi – LG) found that it was necessary to sprint around the table to replace the colour, back to the scoreboard to record the score, only to find, on turning around that Jeff had already potted the next red and was lining up a colour !!
Early on Jeff made up the handicap and established a useful lead, but Mark steadied the ship with an effective combination of potting and safety play. Ultimately Jeff needed the final pink to win, and had a thin cut to pot it into the middle pocket. He went for it (of course) but failed to make contact. Mark potted pink, and finally, the black to win a notable victory.
Finally, Greg squared up against Mark. This was a very different frame from Mark’s previous frame against Jeff, much more considered, a lot more tactical play, and in the early stages, much less potting, but no less intriguing. As the frame proceeded, however, Mark went into a useful lead and steadily increased it, eventually running out a convincing winner.
The result of all this activity is that Mark and Greg have each won two matches. Mark having beaten Greg, is top of the Group, Greg runner-up. There is one match to play between Mark and John, but the result cannot affect the final positions.
So in the top half of the draw, the quarter final matches will be
- David Thomas v Greg Morgan
- Mark Jenkins v Lawrence Griffiths.In the bottom half of the draw in Group C, Eiddon and Peter have each won two games. Outstanding matches are Bob Wigley v Eiddon, and Bob v Alan Bevan. If Bob wins both he will be top and Eiddon runner-up. If Eiddon beats Bob he will be top and Peter runner-up. If no further matches are played before the deadline, (Saturday 16th November) Eiddon will be top and Peter runner-up. Paul and Alyson await in the quarter finals.
Snooker update: November 4th
On Saturday, in a close well contested match, Jeff beat John (Morse) in Group A. There are still four matches to play in this group. As at present Greg would be top and Jeff runner-up.
Group B winner, Dai Thomas, will next play the Group A runner-up. Lawrence Griffths will play the Group A winner.
In Group C Peter Harrison played, and beat, Bob Wigley, so the position here, with two matches still to play, is that Eiddon and Peter have each won two. Eiddon beat Peter so he is top, at present, and Peter is runner-up. Bob Wigley could still spring a surprise if he plays and wins both his remaining matches.
Group D was decided long ago. Paul is top, Alyson runner-up.
DEADLINE. Group stages began in early September and have now been running for 9 weeks. All Group matches must be completed by SATURDAY 16th November. Any matches which have not been played by then will not count. That should give sufficient time for the Quarter-finals, Semi’s, and the Final to be completed before the Christmas Snooker Dinner and Presentation of the Trophy on Wednesday 18th December. Please note the date in your diaries, and sign up for the Dinner with Greg, in person at the Club, by phone (366000) or at bcycmanager@gmail.com.