Gold Waistcoat Tour – Event 5
(TOP Q SNOOKER CLUB, GLOUCESTER)
Symons Avenges Defeat
22nd April 2017
For the second month in succession Andy Symons from Tavistock met Harvey Chandler from Northamptonshire in the final of a West of England Gold Waistcoat Snooker Tour event. The previous encounter in event four saw Chandler clear the table to steal the match in the decider. In event five it looked like Chandler was on track for a repeat performance as he, once again, proceeded to clear the table in the deciding frame. However, after running slightly out of position on the brown he a missed testing pot leaving Symons the opportunity to clear and avenge defeat, which he duly did to take the winner’s trophy and prize-money. On route to the final both players were made to work hard for their results. In the group stages Chandler finished in third place, behind Andy Neck (Newton Abbot) and Michael Rogers (Bath), Neck making breaks of 68,75 & 104. Even though Symons posted breaks of 52,61,95 & 105, he could only achieve third place in his group behind two experienced ex-professionals; Nick Pearce (Cheltenham) who was undefeated in the group, amassing breaks of 50,57,60 and a fluent 122 and Hassan Vaizie, who posted breaks of 50 & 70.
In the semi-finals Symons (76 break) beat reigning tour champion Haydon Pinhey (Plymouth) (64 break) in a decider whilst Chandler brushed aside former event winner Rogers, aided by a 67 break. Other wins worthy of note in the last 16 and quarter finals where; Pinhey over Vaizie (3-2), in this match Pinhey made the highest break of the day to take the break prize, a superb 130 clearance; Pearce, having already made a century in the group stage, made another against Dale Branton (Plymouth) in the last 16 reeling of three frames with breaks of 58,78 & 110. Pearce up until this point look every bit a champion, However, having only recently returned to competitive tournament play, he ran out of steam in the next match against Chandler, losing in the deciding frame.
With just one event left to play next month in The Galaxy Centre, Torquay the overall ranking table looks close, Eddie Manning heads the table on 195, followed by Andy Symons 187, Haydon Pinhey on 179, Andy Neck on 176, and Harvey Chandler 152.
Spokesman for the WEBSF said, “Once again we have seen an array of quality play that has produced five centuries on the day, along with several other frame winning breaks. Haydon Pinhey’s 130 superb clearance hardly raised an eyebrow, such is the expectations of the players. The return of ex-professional Nick Pearce to tournament play is great to see, once he has re-kindled some matchplay stamina he will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with. His break building prowess has been a spectacle here today. With everything hanging on the last event next month, it should prove an interesting dash to the finishing tape.” Thanks to Top Q, Gloucester for hosting and sponsoring this event and to international roving Referee Nick Harry (Plymouth) for his tireless contribution to fair play. 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.
Report by Steve Canniford
Gold Waistcoat Tour Ranking Table 2016-17 – After Event 5
