Quality matchplay and experience help Steve Downing (Redruth) craft a 3(42)-1(31) victory over the very talented English International Kris Vincent (Plymouth) in the final event West of England Billiards & Snooker Gold Waistcoat Tour. However, Mike King (Exeter) another player who proudly bears the three lions on his waistcoat, finished top of the overall rankings and lifted the WEBSF Gold Waistcoat trophy, sponsored by the Sunday Independent. Kings final push to win this prestigious title started badly in the early round robin matches as he uncharacteristically lost vital frames. One defining moment of superb break building in a match against the talented up-and-coming Darren Bond (Tiverton) proved pivotal in securing enough points to finish on top of the rankings.

In the semi-finals there where two interesting ties between Downing and King, a repeat of the final in the revived West of England Championship played recently in Rileys, Plymouth. And in the other semi final an all Plymouth pairing of team mates Vincent and Mike Day. Both semi finals produced high quality snooker with Downing and Vincent both forging 3-1 wins.

In the match between Downing and King there where five breaks over 45 in just four frames. King was first of the mark with an impressive 53 break only to watch Downing reply with a break of 46 and snatch the first frame. King rallied with a 46 break in the next frame to level the match 1-1. Downing compiled a fluent break of 53 surging into a 2-1 lead and followed this with an exceptional break of 65 in the fourth frame to advance to the final.

The other semi final saw a ‘run of the balls’ in Vincent’s favour. Vincent took full advantage and piled on the agony by taking the opening frame and the second frame winning comprehensively with a fine 54 break. In the third frame Day 42-11 down scrambled a decisive break of 41 clearing to the pink to peg one frame back 2-1. With both players digging deep Day, seemingly about to level the match after a break of 42, frame score 55-34 in Day’s favour with only the brown to black remaining must have fancied his chances. However, Vincent had other plans and made a small but clinical 22 clearance to pinch the frame by a solitary point and march into the final a 3-1 winner.

The first quarter-final draw produced a mouth watering prospect between the favourite for the title King and the ‘Tavistock Tornado’ Andy Symons-Rowe, who could steal the overall title from Kings grasp. Symons-Rowe knew if he defeated King there would be enough points available to overtake him provided he won this final event. As often is the case with so much riding on the outcome the match never quite lived up to expectations and it was a scrappy affair with both players missing elementary shots. King got his nose in front and held nerve to run out a comfortable 2-0 winner. King now knew he could not be pipped for the overall championship leaving Symons-Rowe ruing missed chances. The second quarter-final brought together two members of the English Amateur Club Champions (Rileys Club, Plymouth) Vincent and Neil Chiswell. With the rest of the Rileys team they won the Plymouth & District Premier League and a host of individual titles within the Plymouth Snooker arena. Once again the pressure and respect given was there to be seen, Vincent clinched a 2-0 victory. The third quarter-final Downing was paired against Highest ranking Silver Waistcoat player, Darren Lock (Seaton). Downing was away quickly with breaks of 45 and 44 to cruise to a 2-0 victory. In the final quarter-final pairing potting machine Gregg Batten (Tiverton) came up against the solid all-rounder of cue sports Day. Batten knocked in an superb break of 61 only to watch the match go the distance and suffer a 2-1 defeat to Day.

Symons-Rowe recorded the best break to claim the event four ‘Break Master’ title with a magnificent 119 break missing the pink and black for a clearance. The break came in the second frame of Symons-Rowe’s first match against Alan Dunnington (Plymouth). In this 2-0 demolition, Symons-Rowe almost reached the century in the first frame, breaking down on 77 with four reds left for the taking. The overall Gold Waistcoat Tour ‘Break Master’ title went to Kris Vincent, with a fantastic total clearance break of 134 in event 2.

Group (A) was won by the tournament winner Downing with 13 points out of a possible 14. His only frame loss against birthday boy Darren Bond (Tiverton) 2-1. Downing recorded no less than eleven breaks over 30, the highest a fine 76 in his 2-0 demolition of King. Downing also broke down on 67 with four reds left on the table against Day. One point behind in the runner-up position was Day who recorded four breaks in the 30’s which included breaks of 39 and 35 in his 2-0 victory over Southworth. King the overall tour winner finished third in this group on 10 points. King was under pressure from the start losing three of his first four matches. King then faced bond knowing if he lost he would not only be knocked out of the tournament but the overall tour title could go as well. Bond took the first frame only to watch King level the match one each. Bond then crafted a more than useful lead of 58 in the deciding frame only to be stunned by King who snatched victory with a burst of brilliance clearing the table with a tremendous break of 61 to win on the black. King, confidence revitalised, qualified by winning his next two matches 2-0 with breaks of 57 and 44. The fourth qualifying position was a tie between Chiswell and Sam Baird (Halberton). Chiswell progressed through to the knockout stage by virtue of defeating Baird 2-1 earlier in the day. Chiswell recorded four breaks in the 30’s the best a 38 and 36 coming against Bobby Southworth Redruth). Baird played solidly throughout the day and amassed an array of breaks, the highlight a 59 against fellow Tiverton team mate Bond, securing a 2-0 victory. Grant Cole played fluent snooker throughout his tournament run recording three breaks over 30 and other breaks of 47 and 44 in a 2-1 victory against Day. Other notable breaks: Baird 42, 40, 39, 33, 32; Chiswell 38x2; Cole 41, 35, 32; Day 39, 33; Downing 45, 41x2, 39, 36, 35, 32x3; Southworth 56.

Vincent won six of his seven matches to finish top of group (B) on 13 points. Vincent highest break of the day was a credible 62 made in his 2-0 victory against Symons-Rowe. Symons-Rowe and Batten finished joint second and between them posted 15 of the 22 breaks registered over 30. Symons-Rowe was awarded the runner-up spot by virtue of the 2-1 victory over Batten aided with a 55 break. Symons-Rowe also made a 48 break in a 2-1 victory over Phil Lane (Hayle). Batten made an impressive break of 70 in a 2-1 win over Vincent and recorded frame and match winning breaks of 58, 46 and 48, 38 in 2-0 victories over Dunnington and Wayne Woodger respectively. The final qualifying position went to Lock who fought really hard having been on the receiving end of several breaks. Lock played solid matchplay snooker to churn out some great results defeating the two qualifiers who finished above him. He faced a 67 break by Batten and won and breaks of 50 & 31 by Symons-Rowe and won, Lock made a 40 break in the latter match. Inaugural Gold Waistcoat event winner, Wayne Branton (Plymouth) who had another disappointing tournament made a 43 break in his 2 0 victory over Lane. Lane who was level on points with Branton was unlucky on the day winning two of his group fixtures but losing four matches by the odd frame. Lane’s resilience was expressed in a 2-1 victory over Lock in which Lock produced breaks of 45 and 38. Woodger had problems with his tip after the first game which showed in his performance throughout the day. However, Woodger impressed onlookers with 2(44)-1 victory over Vincent. Other notable breaks: Batten 36, 32; Symons-Rowe 47clearance; Vincent 46.

Report by Keith Millard