Gold Series - Event 5 Winner - Ryan Mears 2019-20

Hat-Trick Hero Mears is Gold Series Champion

In an exciting climax to the 2019/2020 WEBSF Gold Series season, Ryan Mears completed an incredible trio of tour event triumphs at Top Q Snooker Club last weekend, in the process claiming the prestigious overall rankings title for the first time by just one point. 

Going into the fifth and final event of the campaign in Gloucester, only events 3 and 4 champion Andy Symons and Mears were able to finish as number one in the standings. A semi-final defeat for Symons at the hands of Mears, coupled with the Aldershot cueist winning the competition meant that Mears’ name would be etched onto the roll of honour, in this the 16th year of the series.

The Groups Stage

In Group A, teenage debutant Oliver Sykes took the event by storm. A player on the invitational EPSB Under-21 Premier Development Tour, Sykes brushed aside all in front of him as he won all six matches to top the group and qualify for the knockouts with several half-century breaks to boot. Joining him in the last eight was late addition to the tournament Matthew Hulatt, who recovered after losing his opening two fixtures to finish in second. Tour regular James Height narrowly missed out on making it through by just one frame in third place.

The tour gave a warm welcome back to Lee Walters, and the Plymouthian proved his class by winning Group B. In a fascinating outcome to the group where several permutations were possible going into the final round of matches, it ultimately came down to a father and son clash between Wayne and Dale Branton for the remaining quarter-final spot. It went all the way to the final black in the deciding frame which Dale duly deposited. 

Symons went into the event as the rankings leader, although his day did not start according to plan, as the car he was travelling up in broke down. He managed to get to the venue in time for his first match, though, and regrouped from the morning drama to win all his matches and finish first in Group C. Former Gold Waistcoat/Series champion Greg Batten continues to be consistent upon his return to the WEBSF as he also advanced to the single elimination phase. 

Group D was arguably the toughest to call at the start of proceedings, perhaps exemplified with former gold event winners Haydon Pinhey, Andy Rogers and Steve Brookshaw all failing to progress. With five wins Mears headed the group, whilst Worcester’s Andy Smith ended second with four wins. Brookshaw looked well placed for qualification having won his first four fixtures, but two late defeats opened the door for Smith to get in front. 

A plethora of breaks was produced during the groups phase with Brookshaw compiling the highest with a 98. Symons was not far off with a 94. 

The Event 5 Quarter-Finalists

The Knockout Rounds

With the two contenders for the coveted number one spot still involved, an intriguing evening’s action played out at Top Q. 

First to book his place in the semi-finals was Tavistock’s Symons, who spent little time denying Hulatt 2-0. The remaining three matches went the distance, with most eyes on the Mears v Branton tie. Despite losing the first frame, Mears recovered to record a 2-1 victory and keep his hopes of the overall prize alive. Smith (76 break, first frame) overcame Walters and youngster Sykes continued to impress with performances beyond his years as he dispatched the experienced Batten. 

The meeting everyone wanted to see materialised in the last four as Symons faced Mears – this was a repeat of this term’s event one final from Jesters in Swindon. In a thrilling opening frame, Mears established a handy lead before Symons constructed a run of 51. However, Mears got the opportunity to re-counter, clearing from yellow to black to go 1-0 up. To Symons’ credit, he kept his cool and focus to level up, but he was unable to seize the advantage in the decider as Mears ousted him 2-1 to move into another final. Elsewhere, Smith was quietly going about his business as he ended the ambition of Sykes, 2-1; chalking up efforts of 52 in the first frame and 70 in the third. 

Following a long day’s play in Gloucester, in what was a relatively scrappy final with few chances to score big, Mears converted to score a 2-0 success and shelf his third title of the 2019/20 season after his back-to-back glories at Swindon and Torquay. With Symons reaching the semi-finals undefeated earlier in the piece, Mears destiny was in his own hands, although he needed to win the competition in order to secure the overall Gold Series Championship. In one of the tightest finishes to a WEBSF campaign we’ve ever seen – he did. 

A huge thank you must go to all the volunteers – including series referee Nick Harry – venues, players, parents, guardians and supporters who have joined us for the journey this season. The series would not be possible without you all. 

The next stop for the West of England Billiards and Snooker Foundation is the invitational Gold Masters which takes place on Saturday 4th April 2020 at Frames Snooker and Pool in Weston-super-Mare. This unique straight elimination event brings together the top 16 ranked players from this season’s Gold Series. Featuring some of the best amateur snooker players from the south-west and beyond, the WEBSF is searching for an event sponsor to help support the 2020 Gold Masters. If you are able to assist us with this, please visit our ‘Contact’ page here for ways to get in touch.

Gold Snooker Series Event 6 – Result

Andy Neck Gold Series Event 1 Winner 2017/18

Andy Neck wins event 6 and with it the Overall Gold Series. The top sixteen rank players will now receive invites to compete for the Gold Masters Championship 2018 and Dominic Dale Exhibition at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon on the 26th May 2018. This, the final event of the season was hosted by Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester.  Select Gold Snooker Series 2017/18 to find out more.

Gold Snooker Series Event 5 – Result

Andy Neck reclaims top spot as Andy Symons closes in. The event was hosted by Galaxy Centre, Torquay. Select Gold Snooker Series 2017/18 to find out more.

The final Event 6 is on 14th April 2018 at Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester

Getting married hits the spot…

Andy Neck Gold Series Event 1 Winner 2017/18
Andy Neck Gold Series Event 1 Winner 2017/18

Newly married, Andy Neck from Newton Abbot takes the first Gold Series event of the season.

This first in a series of six events, was sponsored by Totally Reward. The event was played out at Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester where facilities continue to improve despite clubs facing difficult financial challenges.  Select Gold Series Snooker to see all the results.

The Gold Snooker Series 2017

Gold Snooker Series Social Media Graphic - Harvey Chandler

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Gold Waistcoat Tour Event 3 – Result

Gold Waistcoat Tour Event 3 Highest Break (128c) - Haydon Pinhey 2016-17
Haydon Pinhey – Event 3 Winner & Highest Break (128c)

Haydon Pinhey wins event 3 against Mark Turner and scores the highest break to boot. The event was hosted by Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester. Select 2016-7 Gold Waistcoat Events to find out more.

Event 4 is on 18th February at 147 Snooker Club, Swindon and registration is open.

WEBSF Prize Money Ranking update

Gold Waistcoat Tour Overall Winner - Haydon Pinhey 2015-16
Haydon Pinhey – Money Table Leader

After a great season of WEBSF tournament wins Haydon Pinhey has extended his lead at the top of the WEBSF prize money list and in doing so has raised the bar yet again for the most prize money won in a single season. Other players that have improved their position this season include; Dan Legassick, up to fourth place; Mitch Grinsted, up to fifth and Dale Branton, up to seventh place. An even bigger climber is Eddie Manning who moved up twenty places to eighth position in only his second WEBSF season. Andy Symons and Steve Brookshaw have also prospered and have joined the £1000 plus club.

The total amount of prize money made available by the WEBSF since September 2014 is £43,834. 95% of the entry fees taken has been awarded as prize money. The WEBSF Management Team have achieved this high return through dedicated volunteers (Tournament Directors, Helpers, Referee’s) and the generosity of sponsors. This season we thank the following sponsors:  M.J.H. Paving Ltd., Galaxy Centre, Torquay, Jesters,  and 147 Snooker Club, Swindon, The Plaza Snooker & Pool Club, Plymouth and Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester. All clubs have provided their facilities free of charge!

Select WEBSF Prize Money 2011/2016 for more detail.

Gold Waistcoat Tour Event 6 – Result

Gold Waistcoat Tour Overall Winner - Haydon Pinhey 2015-16
Haydon Pinhey – Gold Tour Champion 2015-16

Haydon Pinhey from Plymouth is the 2016 overall WEBSF Gold Waistcoat Snooker Tour Champion. After great efforts from Eddie Manning and Andy Symons, Haydon was declared champion. This win was one of the closest on record and had to go to count-back when Eddie won the final event. Both players finished on 252 points. However, Haydon took the title by virtue of winning two events to Eddie’s one. Counting back through, just one frame would have reversed the result…..a valiant effort by the break building machine Eddie Manning. Eddiecould yet square the circle if both players get through to the final of the Gold Masters in May. This is where the top 16 ranked players from the tour are invited to compete in a knock-out tournament for £1320 prize money. The event is sponsored by MJH Paving Ltd. and hosted by The Galaxy Centre, Torquay.  Select Gold Waistcoat to see the results for the tour.