15th November 2008
The second leg of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation Silver Waistcoat tour was held at the Victoria Snooker Centre, Plymouth. The event continues to pull in some of the best players in the region. It was event 1 runner up, Mitchell Grinsted who went one better this time around to lift the trophy, beating Ben Holley from Taunton 2-0.

In a close fought final, Grinsted started well by nicking first frame on the black by just a single point. With the momentum, Grinsted took little time in securing the second frame and with that the match. Both Grinsted and Holley booked their places in the final the hard way, both coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1 in the semis. Holley beat Mark Green from Salisbury and Grinsted edged out team mate Chris Batey.

In the quarter finals Green secured a 2-0 win against Tom Kevern, who was unable to hold his group stages form in the quarters. Green sealed his victory with the help a 40 & 39 break in the second frame. In the other ties, Batey had a comfortable win over Tom Casey, and Grinsted had little trouble in dispatching Cornwalls rising star, Jake Stewart 2-0. In the match of the day, Holley was made to fight all the way against a one of Plymouth’s up and coming Bronze (U16) players, Adam Lewin. After a deserved first frame from Lewin on the pink Holley looked a little shell-shocked as no matter what he did Lewin kept snapping at his heels. In the second frame Lewin had a chance on the green, needing only to clear to the pink to take the match. With nerves a jangling, Lewin let the chance go begging allowing Holley to clear the colours to level the match and breathe a huge sigh of relief. Holley with a new found confidence never really got tested the same in the decider, and went on to win the match 2-1.

In group A had Kevern took first place with four wins out of four. Second place went to Casey, winning three matches. Will Blackmore, back in the frame after breaking his wrists finished in third place. Tom Vanstone finished in fourth and fifth place went to another Plymouth Bronze player, having a go! Peter Beckwith. The only break recorded in this group was a fine 43 by Blackmore.

Green headed group B with four wins. Second place went to Holley with three wins. Michael Rogers from Taunton finished in third place and forth & fifth spots went to Adam Gallen and Jay Bullen respectively. Notable breaks, 52, 47 & 40 by Green. A solid 41 by Gallen and Rogers made a clearance of 38. Holley made a 44 and the day’s highest break, a superb 82.

In group C Batey won three matches to take top spot. Grinsted finished in second spot. Third place went to last event winner Dale Branton and forth place went to Haydon Pinhey. Notable breaks Branton 48 and a fine 50 by the youngster Pinhey.

Group D saw the draw bring together a group of aspiring Bronze Waistcoat players. Top spot went to Stewart, Second went to Lewin. Third place to Chris Coumbe and forth & fifth places to Cody Hall and Dan Legassick respectively. The best breaks coming from Stewart 37, and Coumbe 32.

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