27th September 2008

The West of England Billiard & Snooker Foundation Gold Waistcoat Tour broke off at the Victoria Snooker Centre, Plymouth with event 1 in a series of 5 that will take place during the 2008/9 season. England International, Matt Williams from Plymouth led the way by beating fellow international Sam Baird from Halberton in the final. Williams also posted the highest break of the day, a fine 96 to take the break prize. The semi finals saw the end of a father and son bid to reach the final of the tournament. Wayne Branton lost 2-0 to Williams and son Dale Branton, despite a gallant 46 break, lost to Baird 2(67)-0(46). In the quarter finals Darran Lock from Seaton did well to qualify only to come up against in-form Williams. Williams posting a 43 break in his 2-0 win. Wayne Branton reminded the young talented Darren Bond from Tiverton that experience still counts as he won 2-1. Gant Cole, Plymouth had good chances in the final frame decider to beat arguably the best non professional player in the region, Baird coming through 2-1. Dale Branton made breaks of 50 & 42 in beating top billiard player and WEBSF Area coach Steve Brookshaw 2-0.

In group 1 of the round robin stages Baird took top spot winning all his matches with consummate ease. Along the way Baird made several breaks over 50, the best a superb 90. Williams finished in second spot posting breaks of 96, 87, 68, 57 & 51. Lock took third spot and Dale Branton took the forth qualifying place by the narrowest of margins edging out respected veterans of the green baize, Derek Walker & Roger Cole.

Group 2 was also a close affair with Bond relegating Brookshaw to second spot by way of frame difference, Bond make breaks of 72, 57, 44 & 41 and Brookshaw 58, 44, & 40. Three players finished level in third place. Frame difference and head to head results determined that Wayne Branton and Grant Cole should go through as qualifiers. Cole made breaks of 75, 62, 50 & 40 and Branton one of 64.

The next tournament is scheduled to take place at Rileys, Plymouth, date to be arranged. Details of this tour and other tournaments which are organised by the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation can be found on www.websf.co.uk or by contacting Roger Cole Mobile 07850882770.

Report by Steve Canniford