3rd February 2007
Sam Baird, Halberton has won the third West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation, Silver Waistcoat tournament, which was held at the Victoria Snooker centre, Plymouth. This makes it back-to-back Silver wins for Baird, proving he is the man in-form. Baird the current regional Champion extends his lead at the top of this years ranking table and must be favourite to successfully defend his crown. Baird opponent in the final was newcomer to WEBSF tournaments Chris Batey from Plymouth who after playing well in reaching the final lost 2-0 to stylish power play from Baird. In the first frame Baird opening score was a modest break of 35, which ended with a safety shot. After a brief safety confrontation Baird produced a break of 59, missing the second to last red whilst trying to work the balls towards a possible century break. The final score Baird 94 Batey nil. The second frame looked like it could be a closer match with Batey holding a slim lead, when Baird constructed a frame and match winning break of 64 2-0. In the semi finals Baird had a 67 break to help beat Grant Cole (Plymouth) 2-0. Batey had a tough semi-final against Bobby Southworth (Falmouth). The score line of 2-0 to Batey disguised a close match with Batey steeling the first frame by taking the last red and clearing to the pink. In the second frame was just has close until Batey fluked the blue and then potted a difficult pink to win 2-0.

The first quarter final between Batey and England International Darren Bond from Tiverton went 2-0 in Batey’s favour. This avenged an earlier defeat in their group match. Batey made a break of 46 in the first frame. The second quarter final between Baird and Mark Green from Salisbury. Green took the first frame only for Baird level at 1-1. Green was resigned to his seat in the final frame while Baird made the highest break of the day a superb 90 that finished when he missed an easy brown. In the third quarter final Cole was matched with rising star Dale Branton, Plymouth. Cole won the first comfortably aided with a 68 break, but was taken to a black ball in the second which he potted to win 2-0. The last quarter final match was between Southworth and Michael Day, Plymouth. Southworth won 2-0.

Cole won group A winning 6 of his 7 matches, he recorded eight breaks over 40 the highest being 67 in his 2-0 victory over Thomas Vanstone, Plymouth. Darren Bond did well to win 5 of his 7 matches to finish runner up, given that he is struggling to produce his usual high standard of play we've been accustomed too over the past couple of years. In a match against his older brother, Adrian Bond, Darren produced a break of 64. There were three players tied for third place Baird, Batey and Adrian Bond. Under the European criteria for dealing with ties frame difference is used to separate the players. Baird was awarded third place and the fourth qualifying spot went to Batey by virtue of him wining one frame more than Adrian Bond. Darren Lock, Seaton finished sixth with Joel Martin, Exeter and Thomas Vanstone, Plymouth bringing up the rear. Vanstone learnt a lot from being in such a tough group and took heart from a fine 2-0 victory over the seasoned player Lock that included a creditable 52 break from Vanstone. Lock’s highest break of the day was 53 in a 2-0 victory over Martin. Martin recorded a break of 41 in his first frame against Cole only to watch Cole steal the frame with a 59 break. With the scores level at 38 a piece in the second Martin must have thought he was in with a chance but Cole had other ideas, clearing the table with a 63 break. Cole recorded breaks of 55 & 44 in a 2-0 victory over Batey and against his old adversary Baird, Cole played his part in a high quality match. Cole made a 41 break to take the lead before Baird replied with an 81 break to level the match. Baird then knocked in a break of 52 in the decider to win 2-1. Batey recorded a 52 break in the deciding frame against his practise partner Vanstone. Batey also recorded breaks of 40 & 50 in a rare 2-0 victory over Baird. Baird recorded the highest break in the group stages a 89 in a 1-2 defeat by Lock.

Group B was won by Southworth, recording 5 wins out of his 6 matches. Southworth highest break was 45 in a 2-0 victory over Branton. Three players finished equal second and could only be separated by frame difference. Green leap frogged into second place by securing qualification in his last fixture beating Mitchell Grinstead, Plymouth 2-1. This result pushed Grinstead into fifth spot and out of the tournament. Third place went to Day and Branton took the final position qualifying place. Grinstead posted the highest break in group B, a fine 54. This came in the first frame of his match against Day who took the second frame with a 45 clearance and the third to win 2-1. Branton was involved in a couple of cracking matches. Against Green he won 2-1 with the help of a break of 46 in the first frame. In the second Green replied with a break of 47 to level the match. Branton then won the decider aided by a break of 51. Against Danny Wicks from Plymouth, Branton made a trio of breaks 41,34 & 34 to win 119-9 in the first frame. Wicks remained undeterred and levelled the match making a fine 46 break. Branton won the decider easily recording a 44 break. Leon Bullen, Exeter brought up the rear after a 'bad day at the office.

Roger Cole WEBSF Champion said "After last months tournament where the standard of play was outstanding resulting in a string of frame winning breaks that included two centuries by Baird and Southworth. It was always going to be difficult for the players to move up to a higher level. Having said that the standard over the 3 year period that we've been running these tournaments has risen considerably. This is a credit to the players and coaches who put in long hours on the practice table"

Report by Keith Millard