21st January 2006

Once again the standard of snooker displayed by the regions under 19’s in the latest West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation Silver Waistcoat event surpassed all expectations. Onlookers where treated to a feast of breaks, fifty over thirty including two in the 90’s and a superb century. The Victoria Snooker Centre, Plymouth played host to this the forth event in the series that boasts some of the best under 19 players in the region.

Early in the day the talented seventeen years old Darren Bond from Tiverton only just qualified from the group stages, by finishing in forth place. However, as with all class players, he upped the tempo to dominate in the knockout stages on his way to a 2-1 victory over Bobby Southworth (Falmouth) in the final. The first frame went to Bond 106-14 after Southworth miss-cued to gift Bond an opportunity that he was to take with gusto, clearing the table with a magnificent 89 break. In the second frame Bond made an early 36 only to sit and watch Southworth clear with a fine 27 to win 53-51 and level the match. In the deciding frame Southworth made a well crafted 50 break only to be pegged back by Bond with breaks of 27 and a match winning 39 to the blue. Southworth was unable to get the snooker required and Bond potted the pink and take the title and edged closer to Sam Cox, the current No.1 in the rankings

In the semi-finals two times event winner and top ranked player Sam Cox (Exeter) made a 63 break in the first frame against Southworth only for Southworth to get three snookers to steal the frame. In the second Southworth was almost 40 points behind before making a well constructed 29 break followed by another of 27 to the pink to win 2-0. The level of safety play and the tenacity shown by Southworth proves he is far more than just another potter! In the other Semi-final Bond beat adversary Grant Cole (Plymouth) 2(32,47)-0(32). As is the norm when these two meet in competition the match was awash with quality snooker.

The quarter final match between Bond and Sam Baird (Halberton) was a classic. Bond powered in a 59 break only for Baird to strike back with a 32 followed by a 32 clearance to pinch the frame. Bond fought hard to level the match and went on the win the decider with the help of well timed 40 break. In the other quarter’s Cole (32) beat Ryan Elcombe (Plymouth) 2-0 and Cox beat Jamie Read (Cornwall) by the same score.

In group A Baird potted as well as any player on the professional circuit, wining the first frame against Leon Bullen (Exeter) with a brilliant century (110). Baird continued to demonstrate his potting prowess in the second fame notching up a break of 93 to beat a shell shocked Bullen 2-0. There where breaks a plenty in this group, in addition to the afore mentioned breaks Baird added 70,68,50,47,38,37,35,34,33. Cole made breaks of 50,41,38,35. Rob Charman (Redruth) a 46, Sam Edmunds (Plymouth) a 42 and Alex Baird on of 30.

Group B also provided a spectacle of break building as the ‘pocket rocket’ from Cornwall Jamie Read beat the up-and-coming Bronze Champion Dale Branton (Plymouth) 2-0 with a quick fire 93 break. Dan Bellamy (Plymouth) had a baptism of fire losing 2-0 to Bond who posted a fine 81 break. Read asked questions of Bond as he beat him 2-0 with the aid of a speedy 50. Branton had a 46 break in defeating Luke Veale (Tiverton) 2-1. Veale and Danny Wicks (Plymouth) did well to take a frame off Southworth and Read respectively as Southworth made breaks of 64 & 30 and Read one of 46.

As the final ball in the final was potted Tournament Director Keith Millard was heard to say "I know I keep saying it but...The standard of play we see at these tournaments amazes me, it’s just awesome!"

Report by Roger Cole