Haydon Pinhey – Overall Champion
Gold Waistcoat Tour Final Ranking Table 2015-16
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 1
(The Belgrave Snooker Club, Plymouth)
Symons is back
Report
12t September 2015
Tavistock potter Andy Symons, one-time English Amateur snooker finalist, has started the 2015/16 snooker tournament season with a victory. After a couple of years away from top regional competition Symons came through a strong field of established players to win event 1 of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation (WEBSF) Gold Waistcoat tour. His opponent, ex professional Hassan Vaizie from Gloucester, played solidly all day to reach the final and looked the favourite when faced with a relatively easy pot. However, whether it was pressure or just a case of lapsed concentration, Vaizie missed the pot handing Symons a life-line to win by the odd frame. In the semi’s Vaizie came through a tough tussle against Mitch Grinsted (Plymouth), both players making 50 plus breaks in the match. In the other semi-final Symons (61 break) narrowly beat Plymouthian Steve Brookshaw, Brookshaw has recently qualified for the LITEtask World Billiards Championship, due to be played next month. The remaining players that qualified for the quarter finals of the knock-out stage where: Andy Neck (Newton Abbot), Andy Rogers (South Wales), Eddie Manning (Cornwall) and Dean Anderson (Tavistock).
In the group stages Vaizie lost just one match and made breaks of 45, 56, 69 & 76 to win group A. Brookshaw finished second with breaks of 48 & 50. Other break-makers in the group were; Chris Coumbe (40, 48); Jamie Read (43, 53, 61) & Dale Branton (40, 48, 51). Qualifiers from group B, Symons and Rogers, make a 69 break and 60 & 86 respectively. Other notable breaks came from the cues of Paul Standen (North Devon) 43 & 60 and Wayne Branton (Plymouth) 42, 48 & 71. Group C saw a barrage of breaks; prolific break builder Eddie Manning finished top, posting breaks of 44, 58, 60, 69, 71, 72, 82 plus the best of the day, a fine 93; runner-up Neck also showed consistent break building after a short break away from regional competition play, posting a number of forty plus breaks and a 60; Dan Legassick (Plymouth) also got into the action with breaks of 43, 45, 45, 53 & 73 and finally Tom Kevern (Plymouth) made 41, 46, 47, & 70 breaks. Group D saw breaks come from qualifiers; Anderson (48 & 67) and Grinsted (41 & 81) also from Cornishman Darran Lock (73). Plymouth hot-shot Haydon Pinhey failed to qualify for the knock-out stage for once despite making six forty plus breaks and a 60. However, it wasn’t all bad for Pinhey as he received a cheque from the WEBSF towards expenses incurred at the Home Internationals whilst on England duties….where he went through all his matches undefeated!
WEBSF Tournament Director Darren Hall said, “Andy Symons has done extremely well to win this first event after a long lay-off from competition at this level. With the new ranking points system in place this season, making it even more difficult, wining the overall title will surely be a stern test of skill and consistency. It was also good to see Haydon Pinhey rewarded for his international efforts and young snooker protégé Halim Hussain, who travelled from Birmingham to play in the tournament.” Any player interested in entering WEBSF events should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Snooker Referee, Nick Harry (Plymouth) who refereed tirelessly throughout the day and the Belgrave Snooker Club who sponsored this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 1 Results 2015-16
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 2
(Jester’s, Swindon)
Pinhey’s Rich Vein is Golden
Report
14th November 2015
Having recently set a new local league record break of 135 clearance in his home town of Plymouth, Haydon Pinhey’s rich vein of form continues with a superb win in event two of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation (WEBSF) Gold Waistcoat Snooker tour. His opponent in the final was Kurtis Weaver, the latest talented amateur to emerge from Bristol. In the final both players showed excellent cueing with very few mistakes being made. But it was Pinhey, who when facing defeat in the first frame, responded with an excellent clearance to steal the frame on the black, this was to prove crucial as he went on to win the match. Pinhey’s journey to the final began with a string of breaks in the group stages (78, 70, 63, 56, 48, 47 & 41), finishing second in his group to Eddie Manning (Cornwall) who posted breaks of (105, 101, 72, 53 & 47). Once in the knock-out stage Pinhey went on to beat an in-form Welsh International, Callum Lloyd who was, until he met Pinhey, undefeated making breaks of 80, 74, 67, 56, 54, 52, 50 and the best of the day a superb 119 clearance. In the semi-final Pinhey beat Darren Horsman from North Devon. Weaver’s run saw him also finish second in his group….a position that looked uncertain after suffering an early 2-0 defeat at the hands of the eventual group winner Andy Symons (Tavistock). In the quarter and semi-finals Weaver’s resolve was tested further. First against aggressive potting from Jamie Read (Cornwall) and then against Welshman Andy Rogers, both taking Weaver into a deciding frame. Other break makers worthy of note where former two times overall Gold Waistcoat Champion, Andy Neck (60, 60, 57, 50, 50, 46 & 40), Andy Symons (Tavistock) (78,72,71,61,51), Hassan Vazie (Gloucester) (95, 50, 48 & 48), Wayne Branton (Plymouth) (66, 61, 51 & 42) and Dale Branton (Plymouth) (51, 48, 48 & 47).
WEBSF spokesman said, “Coming to Jester’s has certainly proved a good experience, both on and off the tables. The tables played consistently well as can be seen by the number of breaks 50 or above. There were three centuries made here today, the best being Callum Lloyd’s 119 clearance. We can’t fault the staff here at Jester’s they have been very friendly and accommodating to our requirements. By reaching the quarter-finals Andy Symons remains at the top of the ranking table with Andy Rogers and Eddie Manning in close contention in second and third places respectively. Haydon Pinhey’s victory has lifted him into fourth place, if he continues with the form he has shown here over the past week he will also be in the running for the overall title. This prestigious tour continues to bring out the best from the best players in the region. I am looking forward to the next event in January and also returning to Jester’s again, before the end of the season” Any player interested in entering WEBSF events should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to International Snooker Referee, Nick Harry (Plymouth) who refereed tirelessly throughout the day and Jester’s Snooker Club who sponsored this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 2 Results 2015-16
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 3
(147 Snooker Club, Swindon)
Standen Closes in on Top Three
Report
16th January 2016
Paul Standen from North Devon battled through no less than seven deciding frame matches on his way to winning the latest event of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation (WEBSF) Gold Waistcoat Snooker tour. His opponent in the final was young Plymothian Dan Legassick who dropped just three frames on his way to the final. After a close first frame in the final that went Standen’s way Legassick had a bad contact on the brown in frame two which let in Standen to take the frame, trophy and prize money. In the semi-finals Legassick battled it out to halt an excellent run by home player Jake Stewart. In the other semi-final Standen also came through an equally tough match against fellow Devonian Darren Horsman. The quarter finals saw four former event winners fall by the wayside; Andy Neck (Newton Abott) to Stewart; Wayne Branton (Plymouth) to Legassick; Steve Downing (Redruth) to Horsman and Haydon Pinhey (Plymouth) to Standen. The best breaks of the knock-out stages came from Standen 51, Stewart 55, Legassic 82 & Pinhey 83. With the ranking table front runners Andy Symons (Tavistock) and Andy Rogers (Wales) failing to qualify for the knock-out stage, the door was left open for the following pack to close the gap. This they duly did and there is now a three way tie at the top between Symons, Rogers & Pinhey on 133, closely followed by Horsman and Standen on 131 and 128 respectively.
In the preceding knock-out stages two players from each of four groups qualified. In group A, Neck came through undefeated to take first place with Horsman just edging out Callum Lloyd (Wales) for second place. Group breaks: Johnny Watters (Tavistock) 58, Neck 50, Horsman 55 and Dale Branton (Plymouth) 56. Legassick was unstoppable in group B, like Neck he was undefeated, his best break being a 69. Second place was taken by Pinhey with a 56 break. Other group breaks: Harvey Chandler (Rushden) 61 and Rogers 61, 52, 51 & 50. Downing won group C posting a 61 break with Stewart in second place. Other group breaks: Darran Lock (Seaton, Cornwall) 54, Symons 77, 55 & 51 and Steve Brookshaw 54. Eddie Manning never fails to entertain and did not disappoint on the day with runs of 60, 65, 66, 71 and the only century of the day a fine 102 to take the break prize. Standen won group D, edging Wayne Branton into second place by the narrowest of margins. Breaks came from Tom Kevern (Plymouth) 51 & 60, Matt Hulatt 61, Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester) 52 & 57, Standen 67 and Branton 70.
WEBSF spokesman said, “The new ranking points system that was introduced this season is certainly having the desired effect, at the halfway stage no player is running away at the top. With three of the four semi-finalist never having won a Gold Waistcoat event it looked like there was going to be a new winners name on the event trophy. However, Paul Standen the only previous winner kept his head against an improved Darren Horsman and the quick-fire potting ability of Dan Legassick to win through for only his second Gold Waistcoat event win. This is the first time we’ve brought the tour to the 147 Snooker Club, Swindon, hopefully we will be able to return again later in the season. The next event is scheduled for February 20th at Jesters, Swindon”
Any player interested in entering WEBSF events should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to the 147 Snooker Club, Swindon who sponsored this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 3 Results 2015-16
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 4
(Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon)
Branton Doubles Dough at Jesters
Report
20th February 2016
Dale Branton from Plymouth and Harvey Chandler from Rushden fought out a closely contested final at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon. The tournament was event four of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation (WEBSF) Gold Waistcoat Snooker tour. Branton took an early lead with some excellent matchplay snooker only for Chandler to match this and draw level setting up a tense decider. After a finely balanced frame leading into colours, Chandler had Branton in all sorts of trouble and looked favourite to win. He skilfully snookered Branton with only pink and black remaining. Branton made his escape at the second attempt and was fortunate to leave the balls reasonably safe. Chandler replied with another good safety shot only for Branton to pull out an excellent pot on the pink followed by an audacious shot off the top cushion that saw the black double into the bottom yellow pocket to take the frame, match and the lions share of the prize money.
As a result of getting through to the final both players jump up the rankings; Branton from fourteenth to fifth and Chandler, having only played it two of the four events, moves up eighteen places into eighteenth position. Mitch Grinsted also creeps into the top sixteen from twenty second to fifthteenth place. With just two events remaining to find this seasons overall tour champion, Plymouth based Haydon Pinhey moves into top position, closely followed by Andy Symons (Tavistock). The top sixteen positioned players at the end of the six events will be invited to play in WEBSF Gold Waistcoat Masters for prize money in excess of £1300, main sponsor M.J.H. Devon Paving Ltd..
The remaining qualifiers from the group stages comprised of losing semi-finalist Grinsted (Plymouth) and Ian Preece (Newport) and quarter finalists; Symons, Callum Lloyd (Newport), Nick Hawkins (Bristol) and Pinhey. There was a barrage of breaks leading up to the final with three players making century’s; Precocious talent, Ben Fortey (Hereford) got the balls rolling with an early 102; prolific break builder Eddie Manning (Newquay) capped a flurry of breaks with a 105 and Preece notched several that included 105, 106 and the best on the day a 111.
WEBSF spokesman said, “A great day of snooker has been had here at Jesters today, each player has played at least fourteen frames and some as many as twenty-two. Six new players have come to the tour, all of whom have competed well and enjoyed the experience. We have seen five century breaks with a further forty-nine over 50 and a shuffle of the top sixteen places in the ranking. All bodes well for an interesting final two events and a hotly contested Masters to finish the season.”
Any player interested in entering WEBSF events should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to Brad and his staff at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon who sponsored this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 4 Results 2015-16
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 5
(147 Snooker Club, Swindon)
Pinhey Tops the Rankings
Report
20th February 2016
Players from around the region and beyond descended on the 147 Snooker Club, Swindon to complete in the penultimate West of England Gold Waistcoat Snooker Tour event of the season. The result was that Haydon Pinhey from Plymouth put himself in prime spot to become the Overall Tour Champion after beating Eddie Manning (Newquay) in the final. With frames leveled, it was Pinhey that rallied in the decider to make a 58 break to win and take the trophy and the lion share of the prize money. Assuming a full house in the final event, and Pinhey makes the cut, he should become the overall champion. However, if he falls short, Andy Symons (Tavistock) and Manning will both be in with a chance to snatch this prestigious title. Andy Neck’s (Newton Abbot) chances are slim but a third title is mathematically possible if he were to win the last event and the other three players mentioned did not enter. Both Manning and Pinhey kept clean sheets in the semi-final against Symons and Harvey Chandler (68 break) respectively, Pinhey making a 68 break. Losing quarter-finalists were; father and son Mark & Dan Legassick, Steve Brookshaw (50 break) all from Plymouth and Steve Downing from Redruth. Downing was involved in a superb break building contest with Manning. The former making a solid 54 break and the latter, 45 and 108 breaks.
The group stages once again impressed the importance of competing hard for every frame. Group B being the most closely contested. Three of the seven players tied in first place and with only two to qualify one was to be disappointed. The unlucky player, by one frame! was David Brown. Breaks in this group came from Legassick Jnr. (65,62,56,54,44), Symons (62,47,43), Neck (56,42,40), Jason Simmons (50,47) Brown (61,55,46,40) and Stuart Watson (122,73,55). The superb 122 Watson taking the break prize for the day. Group A produced the only undefeated player in the groups, Manning forged six perfect wins from six matches and posted breaks of 50,53,55,55,76,77 & 98 for good measure. Event 4 winner Paul Standen posted breaks of 66 and 55 and Legassick Snr 45. Groups C and D produced fewer breaks but was none the less competitive with close finishes to decide the qualifiers. The best break coming from Mitch Grinsted 71. Whereas Pinhey and Co. are fighting it out for the overall title another tussle is taking place between those vying to finish in the top sixteen. The prize being qualification for the WEBSF Gold Masters, sponsored by M.J.H. Devon Paving Ltd., and the opportunity to compete for a share of £1300 prize money this coming May. Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester), Matt Hulatt (Uffculme) & Steve Downing, (Redruth) can all edge their way into the elite top sixteen. International Referee Nick Harry was on duty throughout the long day keeping an expert eye on preceding’s.
WEBSF spokesman said, “Another tough day of competition between some of the best players in the region produced some excellent snooker. Newbies to the tour, Stuart Watson and David Brown played some excellent snooker that included a quality break of 122 from Watson. We hope to see them compete on the tour again. With three players vying for the overall title and a further three for a place in the top sixteen, the last event at The ‘Q’ Club, Gloucester in April promises to be an exciting affair.”
Any player interested in entering WEBSF events should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to Noel and his family at the 147 Club, Swindon who sponsored this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 5 Results 2015-16
Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 6
(Top Q Club, Gloucester)
Manning on fire as Pinhey takes the title
Report
9th April 2016
A truly memorable climax to the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation’s Gold Waistcoat Snooker Tour saw a record breaking number of century breaks and the closest finish in twelve seasons. Eddie Manning from Newquay, Andy Symons from Tavistock and Haydon Pinhey from Plymouth where all in the hunt for the title. Pinhey was in prime position but he was the first to falter losing in the last 16 to Callum Lloyd from Wales, this took Pinhey to 252 ranking points. This ruled out Manning who could only draw level but would come second due to Pinhey winning more events. However, this left the door open for Symons to steel the title if he could only win the event. In the quarter finals Symons edged out Stuart Watson from the midlands in a quality encounter to book a place in the semi-final against Manning. Manning had been posting a barrage of breaks throughout the day and was clearly focussed on wining the event. Symons put up a good fight but Manning won the deciding frame to reach the final and hand Pinhey the title. Whilst all this was happening in the bottom half of the draw, Callum Lloyd was making excellent progress in the top half. After beating Wayne Branton from Plymouth in the last 16 he edged out Darran Lock from Cornwall with the aid of a 101 break. In the semi-final he met Hamim Hussain from Birmingham who has recently won his fourth English Junior title, Lloyd won comfortably. However, Hussain is certainly one to watch in the future. The final was a one sided affair with Manning in full flow posting breaks of 94 and 66 to clinch the final event of the season. Pinhey joins an elite group of players to have won this title that includes professional Sam Baird from Devon who has just qualified for the World Championship finals for the second time. In addition to those mentioned the qualifiers from the group stages were: Ben Fortey (Hereford), Steve Brookshaw, Paul Standen, Dale Branton, Dan Legassick & Andy Neck from Devon, Peter Devlin, East London and Harvey Chandler from Northampton.
The groups finished before the cut-off time which meant sixteen rather than the usual eight players would qualify for the knock-out stage. This was attributed to the high standard of break building on display. The best break of the day was posted by Pinhey a superb 131 clearance to which he added five breaks over 50. Other century’s were posted by Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester) 111 and Lloyd 101. However, the ‘breakmaster’ on the day must be Manning who knotched-up four century breaks 126,110,104,103 plus 96,94,85,77,66,62,59,55 & 54. Seven century breaks and seventy five breaks over fifty are records for a WEBSF tournament.
WEBSF spokesman said, “What we have seen here today is tantamount to the depth of talent we have entering our tournaments. A fantastic achievement for Haydon Pinhey who was taken to the wire by Andy Symons and Eddie Manning. The quality of break building, especially Addie Manning, was awesome. The top sixteen ranked players will now meet on the 28th of May to compete for the Gold Masters title at The Galaxy Centre, Torquay for a total prize fund of £1320 sponsored by MJH Paving Ltd. and the hosted. A mouth-watering prospect for anyone that enjoys quality snooker.”
Any player interested in entering WEBSF events should contact Steve Canniford, Mobile 07891940995 or visit http://www.websfsnooker.com or WEBSF Facebook. Thanks to Dawn and her staff at Top Q Snooker Club, Gloucester who sponsored this event.
Report by Steve Canniford
WEBSF 