14th October 2006
Grant Cole the 18 years old snooker prodigy from Plymstock, Plymouth started his challenge for the coveted 2006 under 21 West of England Silver Waistcoat Snooker Championship by winning the first tournament of the season. Cole beat 17 years old Darren Bond from Tiverton who recently represented England in the 2006 home internationals. Bond soon got into is stride, winning the opening frame with the aid of a 40 break. He continued this good form with a 45 break to start the second frame, a one-sided match looked on the cards. However, Cole, known as the ‘Ice Man’ due to his cool measured approach to the game, had other ideas. He gradually pegged the score back to take the second frame on the black. This turned out to be the turning point of the match with Cole becoming more confident he took control of the match finally running out a 3-1 victor. For Cole the path to the final was not without some nervous moments. His semi-final encounter with Sam Baird, Halberton saw Cole take the first frame with a break of 54 and a colours clearance to pinch the frame on the black. Baird took the second frame with a 38 break and begun the final frame with a 42 break. It looked like Cole was done for, however, as he often does, Cole hung on and finally cleared up with some fine potting to win another black ball frame.

15 years old Mitchell Grinsted from Plymouth was the outstanding newcomer to the competition. He reached the semi final at his first attempt posting some fine results on the way. In his semi-final he was not phased by the prospect of playing England International Bond, in fact he seem to relish the challenge only just losing by the narrowest of margins. Bond said "Mitchell will be one to watch out for in the future". In the quarter finals Grinsted defeated the much fancied Cornish potting machine Jamie Read, Reduth 2-0 aided by a 54 break. In the other quarter final matches Bond, beat another Cornish star, Bobby Southworth, Falmouth 2-0 posting a 57 break. Sam Baird won by the same margin against another promising youngster 15 years old Thomas Vanstone from Plympton. Cole beat Rob Charman, Reduth 2-0. Charman had recently made is first century break in practice earlier in the week. The group matches did not disappoint onlookers with no less than seventeen breaks of 45 or more, the highest of the day being a 78 by Bond who also made a 50 in the same frame. Group 1 was always going to tough for the younger players Dale Branton, Plymouth the current 2005 WEBSF Bronze Waistcoat Regional Champion and Luke Veale, Tiverton. Both struggled to keep up with the standard set by the seasoned campaigners. Baird topped the group without a loss posting breaks of 75 ,64 & 46. Read came second with a 2-0 win over Cole. Cole was third making breaks of 61, 61 & 46.The final qualifier from group 1 was Southworth with breaks of 63, 51, 47 & 44.

Group 2 proved to be a one way traffic for Bond as he ploughed through the field posting 2-0 wins in all his matches making breaks of 78, 50, 49 & 40. Charman came in a consistent second, Grinsted third and Vanstone the fourth qualifier going into the knock-out stages. Keith Milliard Tournament Director said “We at the WEBSF are delighted to have played a small part in helping Darren to realise the dream of playing for his country. I am sure this will serve to encourage others in the region to follow in his footsteps”. The next Silver Waistcoat tour is scheduled for November. Details of this tour and other tournaments which are organised by the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation can be found on websf.co.uk or by contacting Roger Cole Mobile 07850882770.

Report by Roger Cole