Sponsored by
Andy Neck – Gold Series Champion 2017-18
WEBSF Gold Series 2018 – Overall Runner-upThe presentation of trophies for the Overall Gold Series Champion took place at the start of the Dominic Dale exhibition, following the Gold Masters Championship, at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon on the 26th May 2018
Gold Snooker Series Final Ranking Table 2017-18
Gold Snooker Series Tour – Event 1
(Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester)
A Wedding and a Win
Andy & Anna Wedding
Gold Series Event 1 Winner – Andy Neck 2017-18
Gold Series Trophies
Gold Series Event 1 Highest Break 102 – Mitch Wood 2017-18
Gold Series Event 1 Non Qualifier Highest Break 60 – Martin Picther 2017-18
Gold Series Event 1 Finalists – Andy Neck (Winner), Silvia Mondello (Sponsor) & Andy Smith (Runner-up) 2017-18
Nick Harry Top Q Oct 2017
Steve Canniford & Sam Baird New TD in training
Gold Series Event 1 The Players – 2017-187th October 2017
Recently married, Andy Neck from Devon rekindled some of the form that saw him win back-to-back West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation, Gold Waistcoat Snooker tours in 2012 and 2013. ‘Gold’ tournaments, which have been running successfully since 2004, is now named, The WEBSF Gold Snooker Series and is sponsored by Totally Reward, a Human Resources and Reward Solutions company based in London and Bristol. This first event, in a series of six to be played in various venues throughout the West of England, was hosted by Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester. This season, in addition to the normal trophies and prize money, there is an added bonus for any player recording the elusive 147 maximum break.
The tournament got underway with the round robin group stage and after fifty-five matches, sixteen players qualified for the knock-out stage led by the group winners; Andy Symons, Tavistock; Dale Branton, Plymouth; Andy Neck, Newton Abbot & Tom Kevern, Plymouth. There where twenty-one breaks over 50 including two centuries; a 100 by Kevern and the best of the day, a 102 by Mitch Wood (Barnstaple). Another additional prize this season went to the highest break made by a non-qualifier; Martin Pitcher achieved this with a frame winning 60.
The last sixteen knock-out round produced two 80 breaks; one by current West of England Snooker Open champion, Haydon Pinhey from Plymouth and the other by Welsh international Tyler Rees. The best match of the quarter finals was between Symons and Mitch Grinsted (Plymouth), Symons made an excellent clearance of 92 but it was Grinsted’s two fifty plus breaks that took the match 2-1. Neck posted a 59 break in his quarter final match against Pinhey, whilst Rees (56 break) was forced into a decider against Kevern. In-form Neck turned the screw in the Semi-finals, dominating play against Grinsted with breaks of 81 and 66. Whilst in the other semi-final Andy Smith from Worcestershire beat the 2016 European Under 18 champion Rees for a place in the final against Neck. There were no breaks of note in the final but the standard of play was worthy of two players that had played consistent matchplay throughout the day. After some skilful exchanges it was Neck that took the match in the deciding frame.
With no player making a maximum break the unclaimed reward will be carried over to the Gold Masters tournament at the end of the season. The Gold Masters sees the top sixteen players in the Gold Snooker Series ranking table invited to play in a knock-out format tournament that will culminate with the trophies and prize money presented by a top professional player who will then give an exhibition of snooker. This is due to be played at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon. Event two in the Gold Snooker Series will take place at The Plaza Snooker Club, Plymouth on the 25th November, registration is open and another bonus prize for a maximum 147 break will be on offer. Prizes were presented by Silvia Mondello of Totally Reward.
Spokesperson for the WEBSF said, “It was nice to see Snooker Professional and WEBSF Ambassador Sam Baird drop in today, the players appreciate when professionals keep in touch with their roots, give time and take an interest in snooker in the community. Regarding the tournament, the increased publicity, additional prizes, made possible through sponsorship, and the opportunity to be invited to the Gold Masters has intensified the competition in this series of tournaments. We have several players that have or are capable of making a 147 maximum break and all of them are keen to be the first to achieve it in a WEBSF tournament. This series of events promises to build towards a nail-biting final event and every player will want to be in that top sixteen at the end of the season.” Any player interested in entering WEBSF events or potential volunteers willing to get involved with the work of the WEBSF they should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Referee, Nick Harry who refereed tirelessly throughout the day and Top Q, Gloucester who hosted this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Snooker Series – Event 1 Results 2017-18
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 2
(The Plaza Snooker Club, Plymouth)
Symons Wins the Battle of the Best
Gold Series Event 2 Finalists with Sponsor – Andy Symons & Haydon Pinhey 2017-18
Gold Series Event 2 Andy Symons – Winner 2017-18 (2)
Gold Series Event 2 Haydon Pinhey – Runner-up 2017-18
Gold Series Event 2 Dale Branton with Sponsor – Highest Break Qualifier (102) 2017-18
Gold Series Event 2 Eddie Manning with Sponsor – Highest Break Non-Qualifier (100) 2017-18
Gold Series Event 3 Tables 2-5
Referee Nick Harry Presiding over Events
Gold Series Event 3 Underway
Gold Series Event 2 The Players – 2017-1825th November 2017
The West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation Gold Snooker Series, sponsored by Totally Reward, rolled into Plymouth for event two in a series of six that will culminate with the top sixteen ranked players going head-to-head in the WEBSF Gold Masters. This is a straight knock-out event held in May at the end of the season. The Plaza Snooker & Pool Club hosted this event, which attracts some of the best amateur players in the region. After two hundred and twenty-two highly competitive frames, in which thirty-six breaks of 50 or more were made, Andy Symons from Tavistock stood proud as the best player on the day.
In order to whittle down the field from twenty-eight to eight qualifiers, the players competed in four groups. Group A saw Steve Brookshaw (Plymouth) win all six matches, dropping just one frame, to finish top of the group ahead of Jez Graham, also from Plymouth. The best breaks in the group coming from Brookshaw 62 and Graham 66 & 54. Experience counts for a lot in snooker and this was evident in the performances of group B qualifiers, Dean Anderson (Tavistock) & Martin Pitcher (Plymouth). Both players, rolling back the years, played solid matchplay snooker to qualify. Current West of England Snooker Open champion Dale Branton showed excellent form in finishing top of group C, making breaks of 82,65 and a superb 102 that took the highest break prize for a qualifier. Andy Neck (Newton Abbot) continued with his good form, that saw him win the first event of this season last month, finishing in second place to Branton on frame difference. Postman Neck, delivered breaks of 55, 57 & 99 clearance to also qualify. Group D was one of the toughest we have seen in a Gold Series event with four of the seven players having a total of forty-four victories between them in WEBSF tournament finals. After all the group matches were played Symons, Eddie Manning & Haydon Pinhey finished with the same number of match wins and could only be separated by frame count-back. Manning was ‘eliminated’ having won one less frame than Pinhey and Symons. These two both qualified but it was Symons that was seeded above Pinhey by virtue of beating him in their group match. Manning’s consolation was that his 100 break, along with other breaks of 53,76,88,98, won him the prize for the highest break by a non-qualifier. Pinhey posted breaks of 55,63 & 75 and Symons 51,54,60 & 73. The other significant break made in the group stages was a fine 80 made by Jamie Graham, brother of Jez Graham, both accomplished pool players. Breaks also came from; Wes Peters 52, Billy Ginn 53, Luke Stilwell 53, Martin Pitcher 56, Jay Bullen 68, Darran Lock 58, Hassan Vaizie 50, 50 & 50, Mitch Wood 55, 63 & 75 and Matt Hullat 58.
The quarter finals of the knock-out stage went very much to form and ranking. Results left Neck to play Pinhey and Branton to play Symons in the semi-finals. Both semi-final match scores ended one sided. Pinhey making a 75 break to beat Neck and Symons, breaks of 62 & 77 to beat Branton. The final however, went to a decider that saw Symons the victor over Pinhey
After two events Neck holds on to top spot, just two points above Symons, followed closely by Pinhey and Branton. The biggest ranking table movers the month being; Manning, who comes into the series fourteen places from the bottom and Pitcher who moved up eleven places into 6th place. For the second event no player made a maximum break so the prize money for this will be carried over to boost the prize pot at the Gold Masters tournament in Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon. Event three in the Gold Snooker Series takes place at The 147 Snooker Club, Swindon on the 20th January 2018. Registration is open and another bonus prize for a maximum 147 break will be on offer. Prizes were presented by Silvia Mondello of Totally Reward.
WEBSF Tournament Director said, “Competition for the top sixteen places that will qualify for the Gold Masters and the additional prize money incentives on offer for a 147 break and non-qualifying break is creating a real buzz amongst the players, which is raising the overall standard of the completion”. Any player interested in entering WEBSF events or potential volunteers willing to get involved with the work of the WEBSF they should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Referee Nick Harry, who recently flew back from refereeing at the Northern Ireland Open, to referee tirelessly throughout the day and The Plaza, Plymouth who hosted this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Snooker Series – Event 2 Results 2017-18
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 3
(147 Snooker Club, Swindon)
Neck Sets the Pace
Gold Series Champion 2018 – Andy Neck
Gold Series Event 3 Finalists – Winner Andy Neck, Runner-up Haydon Pinhey 2017-18
WEBSF Gold Series 2018 – Overall Runner-up
Gold Series Event 3 Highest Qualifier Break (99) – Andy Neck 2017-18
Gold Series Event 3 Joint Highest Non-Qualifier Break (89) – Peter Devlin 2017-18
Gold Series Event 3 Joint Highest Non-Qualifier Break (89) – Dan Barsley 2017-18
147 Snooker Club, Swindon Jan 2018
International Referee Nick Harry Jan 2018
Gold Series Event 3 The Players – 2017-1820th January 2017
Devon County Champion, Andy Neck leads the overall ranking table after winning two of the first three events in the coveted West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation, Gold Snooker Series. The series is sponsored by Totally Reward and this event was hosted by the 147 Snooker Club, Swindon. The series is attracting some of the best amateur players from around the region, as well as some from further afield. In a high class final, Neck beat Haydon Pinhey from Plymouth by in a deciding frame. Pinhey making a break of 91 and Neck 80.
The event started with four groups of eight players. Group A was arguably one of the toughest seen in 13 years of Gold tournaments. Andy Symons (Tavistock), currently ranked second, won the group with an impressive seven wins from seven matches. Second qualifying spot went to Pinhey with six wins from seven matches. Pinhey made breaks of 54,74 & 81 and Symons one of 81. Other breaks came from; Seb Worral (Swindon) 69 & 72, Ryan Mears (Farnborough) 50 & 84, Steve Brookshaw (Plymouth) 56 & 71 and English under 19 champion, Peter Devlin from Leyton, 51,52,54,60,74 & 89. Devlin’s 89 saw him joint winner of the non-qualifier break prize with Dan Barsley (Plymouth). Group B was also peppered with breaks, the best coming from Andy Smith (Bewdly) with an 83. Mitch Grinsted and Darran Lock the qualifiers from this group. On his way to qualifying from group three, Neck posted a 99 break, which took the highest qualifier break prize. Kurtis Weaver (Bristol) was the other qualifier from group C. Current Gold Champion, Eddie Manning (Newquay), made breaks of 78 & 84 to qualify in group D along with Tom Kevern (Plymouth).
Neck’s path to the final through the knock-out stages saw him beat Symons and Grinsted, each win by a deciding frame and making a 74 break against Symons. Pinhey was to beat Weaver and Manning. Against Manning, Pinhey made a 90 break and Manning a 56.
The biggest ranking table climbers this month sees Grinsted moving up 10 places and Manning 14 places. Event four in the Gold Snooker Series takes place again in Swindon…this time Jesters Snooker Hall on the 17th February 2018. Registration is open and another bonus prize for a maximum 147 break will be on offer for the taking.
WEBSF Tournament Director said, “Another superb day of amateur snooker that has produced a barrage of sizable breaks. Any player wanting to hone their skills against tough opposition would surely benefit from playing in these events. At the half-way stage there is only fifteen points separating the top four players in the rankings. I predict another close run-in to the final event.” Any player interested in entering WEBSF events or potential volunteers willing to get involved with the work of the WEBSF they should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Referee Nick Harry, for another tireless day of refereeing and the 147 Snooker Club, Swindon, who hosted this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Snooker Series – Event 3 Results 2017-18
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 4
(Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon)
Pinhey in the Driving Seat
Gold Series Event 4 Winner – Haydon Pinhey 2017-18 (with Gold Series Sponsor)
Gold Series Event 4 Finalists – Winner Haydon Pinhey and Runner-up Eddie Manning 2017-18 (with Gold Series Sponsor)
Gold Series Event 4 Highest Qualifier Break (124) – Eddie Manning 2017-18
Dale Branton
Tournament Directors Feb 2018
Jesters library photo Feb 2018
Gold Series Event 4 The Players – 2017-1817th February 2017
The latest event in the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation, Gold Snooker Series, sponsored by Totally Reward,took place at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon. The last man standing from twenty 26 top amateur players was Haydon Pinhey from Plymouth. In the final Pinhey beat the reigning champion, Eddie Manning from Newquay. This win takes Pinhey to the top of the rankings, closely followed by Andy Neck (Newton Abbot), Andy Symons (Tavistock) and Manning.
On route to the final Pinhey finished top of group B ahead of Seb Worral and Jake Stewart, both from (Swindon) and Steve Brookshaw (Plymouth). In the knock-out stage Pinhey overcame Aaron Cook (Gloucester), Tom Kevern (Plymouth) and Worral in the semi-final. Pinhey’s best break of the day being 80. Manning’s route to the final looked in jeopardy when he took a large chunk out of his tip. Thankfully help was on hand when a kind club member stepped-up and quickly fitted another tip. From then on Manning did not look back. He won his group making breaks of 68,73×2, 68 and a magnificent 124. The latter taking the highest qualifier break prize. In the knock-out stage Manning added breaks of 58, 86 and 105. The other qualifiers from group B were, Chris Coumbe (Plymouth), Symons and Mahmoud Alzaid (Chichester). In the groups Symons was also in good form, making a string of sizable breaks (51,64,90,101 & 108). However, he ran out of steam in the last 16 against Worral. Group A was won by Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester) with breaks of 56 & 69. Other qualifiers being; Andy Smith (Worcestershire), making breaks of 50,55,64 & 90 and Wes Peters (Torquay) 75. Group D was reduced to just five players through ‘no shows’ which challenged the Tournament Director to provide value for money competition. The decision was to play matches of best of five frames instead of the usual, best of three, played in the other groups. The final group standings saw Neck, Kevern, Cook and Darran Lock (Seaton) qualify. Cook making breaks of 63 & 65 and Neck 57×2 & 58. The highest non-qualifier break went to Dale Branton (Plymouth), a mediocre 52 by his high standards. No player made a 147 break so the unclaimed prize for this goes into the Gold Masters prize money pot.
With two events left to play in The Galaxy Centre, Torquay and the Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester there is all to play for to finish in the top sixteen in the rankings. These lucky players will be presented with invites to play in the WEBSF Gold Masters in May 2018, also sponsored by Totally Reward. If accepted they will also receive free tickets to attend an Exhibition evening with Snooker Professional, Dominic Dale in the evening following the tournament.
WEBSF Tournament Director said, “The overall Gold Series title is still very much in the balance with two events to go, the top players cannot afford to relax if they want to stay in the race for the overall title. Furthermore, the top sixteen is even more closely contested. An invitation to compete in the Gold Masters for addition prize money and free tickets for the Dominic Dale exhibition are big incentives. On another note we must congratulate one of our members Harvey Chandler from Northants, who recently won the European Mens Snooker Championship which was held in Bulgaria and brings with it a two year place on the professional tour. The WEBSF Management Team have awarded Harvey Life Membership of the WEBSF in recognition for this fantastic achievement.” Any player interested in entering WEBSF events or potential volunteers willing to get involved with the work of the WEBSF they should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Referee Nick Harry, for another tireless day of refereeing and the Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon who hosted this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Snooker Series – Event 4 Results 2017-18
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 5
(The Galaxy Centre, Torquay)
Neck Reclaims Top Spot, Symons Closes In
Gold Series Event 5 Finalists – Winner Andy Symons and Runner-up Eddie Manning 2017-18 (with Gold Series Sponsor)
Gold Series Event 5 Highest Break (109) (Qualifier) – Eddie Manning 2017-18 (with Gold Series Sponsor)
Gold Series Event 5 Highest Break (Non Qualifier) (89) – Alan Tunney 2017-18 (with Gold Series Sponsor)
Gold Series Event 5 The Players – 2017-18
Nick Harry – Mar 201824th March 2017
The penultimate event of this seasons West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation, Gold Snooker Series, sponsored by Totally Reward, took place at the Galaxy Centre, Torquay recently and the overall rankings could not be more close. Andy Symons from Tavistock won this latest event, beating Eddie Manning from Newquay in the final. The top sixteen players are competing for the chance to be invited to the end-of-season WEBSF Gold Masters flagship event. At the top, reigning champion Andy Neck (Newton Abbot) is on 216 points followed closely by Andy Symons 215 points and Haydon Pinhey (Plymouth) 211 points. Nearer the top sixteen cut-off point it would not take much for three players to drop out of the top sixteen.
On route to the final Symons won six out of seven matches 2-0, losing just one match to Alan Tunney (Torquay) in the group stages. Tunney was to take the highest non-qualifier break prize, a respectable 85. Manning’s route was less emphatic but showed the tough matchplay side of this ex-professional, finishing second in his group before opening up in the knock-out stage to reach the final. In the semi-final Manning posted the best break of the day, a quick-fire 109. The losing semi-finalists where Andy Neck and Jason Whittaker (Torquay) and losing quarter finalist; Luke Stilwell (Bristol), James Lee (Torquay), Martin Pitcher (Plymouth) and Billy Ginn (Exeter).
The overall standard of play and competition among the players was consistently high with twenty-eight breaks over fifty and seven group places having to be decided on frame count-back. No player made a 147 break so the unclaimed prize for this goes into the Gold Masters prize money pot.
The final event in the series is to be hosted by Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester on the 14th April 2018.
WEBSF Tournament Director said, “The series is building towards an exciting climax with several players vying for; the overall top spot and coveted title of The WEBSF Gold Series Champion; an invite to the Gold Masters and to receive free tickets to what promises to be a great Exhibition evening with Snooker Professional Dominic Dale.” Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the exhibition; players interested in entering WEBSF events or potential volunteers willing to get involved with the work of the WEBSF they should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Referee Nick Harry, for another tireless day of refereeing and the Galaxy Centre, Torquay who hosted this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Snooker Series – Event 5 Results 2017-18
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 6
(Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester)
Neck & Pinhey Finish On Top
Gold Series Event 6 Finalists – Winner Andy Neck & Runner-up Haydon Pinhey 2017-18
Gold Series Event 6 Winner – Andy Neck 2017-18
Gold Series Event 6 Runner-up Haydon Pinhey 2017-18
Gold Series Event 6 Qualifier Highest Break (96) – Alan Tunney 2017-18
Gold Series Event 6 Non-Qualifier Highest Break (114) – Andy Symons 2017-18
Gold Series Event 6 Referee – Nick Harry 2017-18
Gold Series Event 6 The Players – 2017-18
Gold Series Event – The Tournament is Underway 2017-1814th April 2017
The final event of this season’s West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation (WEBSF), Gold Snooker Series, sponsored by Totally Reward, recently took place at the Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester. Going into the knock-out stages it was all to play for. With Andy Symons (Tavistock) failing to make the cut for the first time this season, it was left Andy Neck (Newton Abbot) and Haydon Pinhey (Plymouth) to battle against some of the best amateurs in the region in order to reach the final and secure the overall series title. Neck beat Dale Branton (Plymouth) and Alan Tunney (Torquay) to reach the final whilst in the other half of the draw Pinhey beat Jason Whittaker (Torquay) and Billy Ginn (Exeter) to join Neck. The final was of high quality, Pinhey taking the first frame with a 50 break only for Neck to strike back with a fine 71 break to draw level. The deciding frame saw Neck edge over the line in a close finish to win the event and lift the overall title for a record third time. The other qualifiers were; James Lee (Torquay) and Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester). The best breaks of the day came from Tunney who made breaks of 96,80,76,68,60,54,51 with his break of 96 taking the best break made by a qualifier. Symons made breaks of 114,87,69,54 and recorded the highest break by a non-qualifier of 114. In total there were forty breaks over fifty made on the day.
The top sixteen ranked players will now be invited to compete in the WEBSF Gold Masters, also sponsored by Totally Reward. The event is due to be held at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon on the 26th May 2018. The event of followed by an exhibition by snooker professional Dominic Dale, one of snooker’s most colourful and charismatic players and promises to be a superb evening of snooker. Further information about this exciting event can be found here, (under 16’s FREE Admission when accompanied by a paying parent or guardian).
WEBSF Tournament Director said, “Another full day of snooker that has seen a high standard of amateur snooker played in a competitive but friendly environment. This season we have seen a total of fifty-six players competing for the overall title and it was fitting that the top two ranked players, Andy Neck and Haydon Pinhey, met in the final, either would have been worthy champions. I can’t wait until the 26th May when the best players from the series battle it out in a ‘straight’ knockout format to see who will be crowned Gold Masters Champion 2018, and with the Dominic Dale exhibition following in the evening, what more could a snooker fan wish for…” Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the exhibition; players interested in entering WEBSF events or potential volunteers willing to get involved with the work of the WEBSF they should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Referee Nick Harry, for another tireless day of refereeing and Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester who hosted this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Snooker Series – Event 6 Results 2017-18
WEBSF 
