13th September 2008

The West of England Billiard & Snooker Foundation, now in its fifth year, held the first event of the 2008/9 season at the Victoria Snooker Centre, Plymouth. Event 1 in a series of 5 Silver Waistcoat U21 tournaments pulled in a good entry, attracting some of the best young players from around the region. Last seasons overall runner up, the potting machine from Plymouth, Dale Branton came through victorious winning 2-0 in a close fought final against Mitchell Grinsted, also from Plymouth. Both players displaying bouts of high-class safety play in a thrilling final. Branton’s route to the final saw him beat Jay Bullen from Exeter 2-0 in the quarter finals. Branton won the first frame with a 46 break and the second with a superb 65 break. In his semi against Tom Kevern (Plymouth), Branton snatched the first frame on the pink before assuring his place in the final with a 48 break. Grinsted also had a trouble-free route to the final, easing past Tom Casey (Plymouth) in the quarter final 2-0. In the semi final Grinsted pinched the first frame against Jake Stewart, (Redruth) by clearing the colours to win by just 9 pts. Grinsted went on to control the second frame from start to finish running out a clear winner.

In the group stages Tom Vanstone (Plymouth) came out on top in group A, dropping only two frames and making a sound 46 break. Jake Stewart came second in the group posting his highest break of the day, a 41. Tom Casey finished third and Adam Gallen from Exeter took the last qualifying spot. In group B, Branton took top spot, posting breaks 44, 40 and the highest break of the day a fine 76. Tom Kevern took second spot aided by breaks of 59 & 42. Third spot went to Mitchell Grinsted and fourth to Jay Bullen with 32 being his highest break. Other young stars of the future in attendance included a line up from the Bronze Waistcoat Tour, namely Chris Coumbe, Cody Hall, Dan Legassick, Adam Lewin and Haydon Pinhey all showed great potential on the day. These players will have gained invaluable experience during the event and no doubt will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

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 Wayne Branton