22^nd March 2008
Michael Rogers came from one frame down to beat Adam Gallen 2-1 in the final event of the Exeter Bronze Waistcoat tournament. However, this was not enough to prevent Gallen from overtaking Will Blackmore in the ranking table to secure the overall title of Exeter Bronze Waistcoat Champion. Blackmore had led the rankings all season until the group stages of this final event. By failing to qualify for the knock out phase cost him dear as all Gallen had to do was win through to the final to snatch the championship. This he did by beating newcomer Josh Grimes 2-0 in style but not before a tentative first frame where Grimes looked to be staging an upset. However, it was not to be as Gallen finally got his act together finishing strongly. In the other semi final Rogers beat Adam Chadwick 2-0. Chadwick who had played some of the best snooker of the day to qualify for the knock-out stages finally ran out of steam against Rogers.

In the group stages Ben Mills came within a few points from qualifying for the second tournament in a row, this time losing out to Grimes who had to beat group winner Chadwick and score 46 points. He scored the required points and won the match by just 2 points. Ever Philosophical and positive in defeat Mills sets his peers a fine example and will no doubt be raring to go next season. Grimes played well in all his matches and probably would have challenged for regional finals day qualification had he entered the previous tournaments. Jay Bullen had an indifferent day as a player, finishing in fourth place but was still keen enough to want to referee the final so as to gain experience as part of a desire to become a graded referee. In the other group Gallen won all but one of his matches to win the group. Rogers was placed second making the best break of the day a 31. For the first time in eight consequtive tournaments Blackmore failed to reach the knockout stages. The four that qualify for the Regional Finals Day on the 24^th May 2008 are Gallen, Blackmore, Rogers and Matt Baker.

The tournament was sponsored by GWRSA (South). Tournament Director Mel Berry said "An exciting end to this years tournament let's hope we can go one better and have an Exeter lad win the regional finals this year." Anyone under 16 interested in playing in this tournament should visit the WEBSF web site www.websf.co.uk

Report by Steve Canniford