Jamie Cope Exhibition Exeter – 2009

Exhibition Report

Master of Ceremonies Steve Canniford opened the evening with the following introduction:-

Jamie had a staggering record as a junior, winning nearly 50 junior events and several Senior Pro-Ams. A regular on the English Junior Team, he helped his team to victory in the Home Internationals. He started playing in junior competitions at just eight years old and progressed to unleash his talents in the 2001-2 season on the WSA Open Tour. In this first season he had such success that he qualified for a Main Tour place for the following 2002-3 season. Jamie is currently provisionally placed at number 18 in the world rankings and we all saw took John Higgins to a final frame shoot-out before losing in the last 16 of this year’s World Championships. Jamie was already amongst the prize money before this years World Championship and has before him many more ‘pay days’ I’m sure . He has had two 147 maximum breaks in tournament play and a witnessed 155 (free ball) maximum in practice play.

Your referee for the evening is Greg Jones from the Seaton Snooker League.

A full house was enthralled by the way Jamie Cope potted balls with consummate ease. His quick aggressive style and superb cueing made the task of potting balls look too simple for words. His first opponent was 14 years old Michael Rogers who had travelled from Taunton to match his young talent against Cope. After a few exchanges Rogers amassed a modest 18 points Cope made a quick fire 74 break to win this frame. Second up was Ian Davie who was desperate to give Cope a run for his money. Cope again made a break, this time 51, to pull away and win. Mike King came to the table after witnessing Cope make back to back 147 breaks in practice earlier in the day. King started superbly potting eight reds and seven blacks, breaking down on a difficult black to lead 57-0. Cope’s reply was clinical, he cleared the remaining balls making a superb 75 break to win the frame. Andy Radford was Copes next opponent and looked good amongst the balls. However, this was short lived as Cope posted a 58 break to pull away and win the frame. Mike Gold came to the table and attracted the sort of respect from onlookers that comes with being a former captain of the England Snooker Team on several occasions. With the balls not running favourably for either player Cope ran out a narrow winner on the black. Cope’s next opponent obviously hadn’t read the script. After a couple of pots from Cope Sam Baird made a superb 101 break to win at a canter. In-form local player, 14 years old Jay Bullen, put aside nerves to win an untidy frame on the black. Neither player getting into their stride with balls hugging the cushions. Frame eight was drawn out of the hat and Ryan McDiarmiad was the lucky onlooker. On the table he was not so lucky with Cope winning comfortably with several small breaks. The final frame was auctioned and Daniel Jones added to the pot to take on the master cueman. Jones smashed the pack off the top cushion and had very few shots before Cope filled the pockets to win the final frame.

Following the head to head frames Cope gave a demonstration of trick shots and mingled with the onlookers, posing for photographs and signing autographs.

Thanks to GWRSA Social Club, Exeter for hosting the exhibition and Baulkline Snooker who prepared the table

Report by Steve Canniford

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