31st January 2009
The Victoria Snooker Centre, Plymouth staged event 4 of the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation Silver Waistcoat tour, and it was one of Plymouth’s brightest prospects, Mitchell Grinsted who completed a hat trick of victories. In the final he beating another excellent prospect Mark Green from Salisbury 2-0. This latest victory consolidates Grinsted’s position at the top of the overall ranking list with just one event left in the series. With one hand on the regional trophy Grinsted will take some stopping in this form. The semi finals saw Grinsted against adversary Dale Branton. This pairing lived up to every body's expectations with both players putting on a great show. Grinsted went 1 up in a flawless frame of snooker, keeping Branton off the table and posting breaks of 37,30 & 30. Branton levelled the match, clinching the frame with a 38 break. The decider went to the wire, Branton needing only the pink to win was faced with a tricky safety or a chance at a double. After some thought and an unsuccessful attempt at the double Grinsted was left to pot a long pink and obtain perfect position on the black to win 2-1. In the other semi final Green had an easier time in beating Exeter newcomer Craig Stevens 2-0. Green has now elevated himself into second position in the rankings. In the last eight, Grinsted defeated Jake Stewart 2-0, making a 47 break in the first fame. Stevens beat Exeter teammate Jay Bullen 2-1 with the aid of a 33 clearance to take the first frame. Green also beat regional Bronze Waistcoat champion Adam Gallen 2-0 comfortably. In the pick of the quarter finals, Branton defeated Tom Vanstone 2-1. Branton won the first with a 49 break. Vanstone levelled returning the favour, also making a 49 break. In the decider, Branton won 62-25.

The group stages saw Green top group A winning all his matches and only dropping only one frame. Second qualifying spot went to Stewart the remaining positions where Dan Hine, Haydon Pinhey and Chris Coumbe. Notable Breaks, Pinhey 52,32 & 31, Stewart 46,37 & 31 and Hine 30. In group B Vanstone finished top followed by Bullen, Will Blackmore and Peter Beckwith. The only break recorded in this group was a 31 by Blackmore. Branton won group C without dropping a frame, second place went to Stevens, third place to Adam Lewin and fourth to Cody Hall. The best break of the day coming from Branton an excellent 71 and a 41 for good measure. In group D Grinsted only dropped one frame to win it with Gallen a close second, Alex Hutchings third and Dan Legassick fourth. Notable breaks, Grinsted 56 & 51, Gallen 47, Legassick 28 & 31cl.

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