28^th March 2009
Adam Gallen came good when it counted. Gallen won event 5 of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation Exeter Bronze Waistcoat. He took the first frame on the colours with a couple of well timed pots. He stepped up the pace in the second with some aggressive potting on his way to posting a fine 31 break and a 2-0 win over Michael Rogers from Taunton. Going into the final event next month there are four players challenging for the Exeter title and places in the regional finals. The semi finals saw Rogers play competent snooker to bring to a halt a rich vein of results from the former event winner, Jay Bullen. Rogers blended good safety play with consistent potting to win 2-0. In the other semi final Gallen out-potted Will Blackmore to win 2-0. Gallen, who had displayed some indifferent form in the qualifying stages, held himself together well to book his place in the final.

In the qualifying stages Blackmore, playing with a broken butt hand, started well with a convincing win over Gallen in his first match. Next up for Blackmore was Bullen, who had a good early win against Adam Chadwick. After a good bout of safety from both players it was Bullen that took the initiative to run out the winner. Chadwick showed good form in his second match pushing Rogers all the way to the final colours before just losing out. With Chadwick's confidence growing he took on Gallen in an exchange of open potting and came out the victor. Rogers versus Bullen saw the latter take an early lead, Rogers responded well to get back on level terms but Bullen held firm to win. Gallen, very much out of sorts due to a short lay-off from snooker found Rogers to hot to handle. Rogers ran out an easy winner aided with a 32 break. Rogers versus Blackmore was always going to be close and it was Blackmore that pipped Rogers on the black. With only three matches remaining any one of three players could win the group. It was Rogers that edged Blackmore into second qualifying spot followed by Bullen 3^rd and Gallen the 4^th qualifier

Mel Berry the Tournament Director said "It's good to see such a close contest this year. Any one of the four top ranked players are good enough to win the title." The event was sponsored by Baulk line Snooker SW and hosted by GWRSA Social Club, Exeter.

Report by Steve Canniford