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So i used to play in this tournament most weekends from before I could drive. Used to be over 100 players every weekend at its peak some 10 or more years ago. Judd Trump and his brother Jack played every week and a host of other top potters.
Woke up this morning thinking i fancy giving it a nudge again after all this time away.
Walked through the door to a welcoming smile from Derek Curnow, he remembered me and we had a few chats throughout the day reminiscing about old times. We talked about the local league, the tournament and old friends hat have since passed away. Really nice bloke Derek and only does god for the game. Shame he doesnt run the local league really as its need a good shake up. He's known it for years but the powers that be wont let it happen.
So the entry is £7 and your guaranteed 3 best of 3 matches. I was put on a 25 handicap, Derek suggested i start on this and see how i go.
Started off quite nervously against a tidy young lad who had to give me 7 points. Must have been around 14 i guess. Had a nice parris cue and case that looked straight out of the box. Soon found out practice play with a mate is nothing like playing a match. My matchplay and safety play was poor to say he least. Total dross in fact. Gave away so many fouls and free points it was shocking. Had the final pink into the middle to go one up, missed it and i was one down. A good dish of the colours in the next got it back to level and then i went into Terry Griffiths mode and that would him right up. Tied him up in knots and took the decider on the brown.
Next mach was against and older guy who i remember from somewhere. He didnt seem to remember me though. Again went one nil down but this guy was going for everything and i knew i would get chances only having to give him 3 points. Took the next two frames pretty easily. Again my safety was arse.
Next match was against a young kid again, maybe 20, i had to give 3 points again. This guy couldnt half pot a long red but just couldnt pot a colour. Dispatched him 2 nil in about 20 minutes. He left me up so many times, no breaks above 20 though.
Was put down to 18 handicap for he next and first true knockout match. Played a very young chap called Olly something. He was 10 maybe and knee high to a grasshopper. I had to give him 8 points. Open up with a decent break, well i thought it was decent until he armed in a long red. Hmmm i thought. He missed smashed in a long blue i think and im thinking this is the end! He let me and i made a really good 32. Then followed with another good 25. Frame mine. Next frame it came down to the final black which i got with a good pot off the cushion into the middle. his kid could play mind and if he didnt have to use the half butt mos of the time im sure he would have destroyed me. One for the future for sure.
Semi final time and im giving 10 points away. I nick the first frame , feels like im cueing well. Next frame is reds everywhere but we both keep playing safe well. I miss a sitter and he makes a 32, then another 20 something. Frame his. Deciding frame i fluke the frame winning ball...lovely. Such a horrible feeling as it was such an even game.
Final time and im getting 8 points. Win the first with another fluke. Rattled the pink and it went back across into the top bag. He wins the next i ddint really have any chances. Final frame comes down to a respot. I play it really well and get left a tap in over the middle. Thank you and good night!
7 hours snooker and i walk out with £60 in my back pocket. Happy days.
I didnt start this post with the intention on writing every down but it just spewed out sorry!
Woke up this morning thinking i fancy giving it a nudge again after all this time away.
Walked through the door to a welcoming smile from Derek Curnow, he remembered me and we had a few chats throughout the day reminiscing about old times. We talked about the local league, the tournament and old friends hat have since passed away. Really nice bloke Derek and only does god for the game. Shame he doesnt run the local league really as its need a good shake up. He's known it for years but the powers that be wont let it happen.
So the entry is £7 and your guaranteed 3 best of 3 matches. I was put on a 25 handicap, Derek suggested i start on this and see how i go.
Started off quite nervously against a tidy young lad who had to give me 7 points. Must have been around 14 i guess. Had a nice parris cue and case that looked straight out of the box. Soon found out practice play with a mate is nothing like playing a match. My matchplay and safety play was poor to say he least. Total dross in fact. Gave away so many fouls and free points it was shocking. Had the final pink into the middle to go one up, missed it and i was one down. A good dish of the colours in the next got it back to level and then i went into Terry Griffiths mode and that would him right up. Tied him up in knots and took the decider on the brown.
Next mach was against and older guy who i remember from somewhere. He didnt seem to remember me though. Again went one nil down but this guy was going for everything and i knew i would get chances only having to give him 3 points. Took the next two frames pretty easily. Again my safety was arse.
Next match was against a young kid again, maybe 20, i had to give 3 points again. This guy couldnt half pot a long red but just couldnt pot a colour. Dispatched him 2 nil in about 20 minutes. He left me up so many times, no breaks above 20 though.
Was put down to 18 handicap for he next and first true knockout match. Played a very young chap called Olly something. He was 10 maybe and knee high to a grasshopper. I had to give him 8 points. Open up with a decent break, well i thought it was decent until he armed in a long red. Hmmm i thought. He missed smashed in a long blue i think and im thinking this is the end! He let me and i made a really good 32. Then followed with another good 25. Frame mine. Next frame it came down to the final black which i got with a good pot off the cushion into the middle. his kid could play mind and if he didnt have to use the half butt mos of the time im sure he would have destroyed me. One for the future for sure.
Semi final time and im giving 10 points away. I nick the first frame , feels like im cueing well. Next frame is reds everywhere but we both keep playing safe well. I miss a sitter and he makes a 32, then another 20 something. Frame his. Deciding frame i fluke the frame winning ball...lovely. Such a horrible feeling as it was such an even game.
Final time and im getting 8 points. Win the first with another fluke. Rattled the pink and it went back across into the top bag. He wins the next i ddint really have any chances. Final frame comes down to a respot. I play it really well and get left a tap in over the middle. Thank you and good night!
7 hours snooker and i walk out with £60 in my back pocket. Happy days.
I didnt start this post with the intention on writing every down but it just spewed out sorry!
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