A FORMER snooker professional will take on an aspiring professional in the southern final of the English Amateur Championship.
Michael Georgiou, who spent a year on the Main Tour after winning the 2007 IBSF World Under-21 Championship in India, will meet last season’s national runner-up Ben Harrison in Leeds next month.
The pair qualified from the last-16 south stage at the South West Snooker Academy, Gloucester.
Georgiou, from Forest Hill, London, overcame Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester) 5-1, Bradley Jones (South Croydon) 5-2 and Matt Emms (Kidderminster) 8-7 in an epic semi-final.
“Throughout the day, I had to play my best to get through as I was pushed in all matches regardless of scoreline,” said the 26-year-old.
“Matt fought back extremely well from 4-1 and 7-4 down and forced me to dig deep to produce the 64 break in the decider.
“Hopefully, I can carry this form into the semis and final.”
Meanwhile, Harrison, who hails from near Westbury, Wiltshire, accounted for Ashley Beal (East Sussex) 5-3, Jamie Brown (West Midlands) 5-4 and Sydney Wilson (Southend) 8-4.
“I’m starting to feel really good,” said the 22-year-old, who is now at Q School.
“I’m very happy to get through to the final again, getting through that tough field. I really want to go one better this year and win the whole thing.
“My safety was great this weekend and it is perfect preparation for my confidence for Q School.”
The southern and national finals will be played over the weekend of June 7-8 at the Northern Snooker Centre, the competition sponsor.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.
Michael Georgiou, who spent a year on the Main Tour after winning the 2007 IBSF World Under-21 Championship in India, will meet last season’s national runner-up Ben Harrison in Leeds next month.
The pair qualified from the last-16 south stage at the South West Snooker Academy, Gloucester.
Georgiou, from Forest Hill, London, overcame Hassan Vaizie (Gloucester) 5-1, Bradley Jones (South Croydon) 5-2 and Matt Emms (Kidderminster) 8-7 in an epic semi-final.
“Throughout the day, I had to play my best to get through as I was pushed in all matches regardless of scoreline,” said the 26-year-old.
“Matt fought back extremely well from 4-1 and 7-4 down and forced me to dig deep to produce the 64 break in the decider.
“Hopefully, I can carry this form into the semis and final.”
Meanwhile, Harrison, who hails from near Westbury, Wiltshire, accounted for Ashley Beal (East Sussex) 5-3, Jamie Brown (West Midlands) 5-4 and Sydney Wilson (Southend) 8-4.
“I’m starting to feel really good,” said the 22-year-old, who is now at Q School.
“I’m very happy to get through to the final again, getting through that tough field. I really want to go one better this year and win the whole thing.
“My safety was great this weekend and it is perfect preparation for my confidence for Q School.”
The southern and national finals will be played over the weekend of June 7-8 at the Northern Snooker Centre, the competition sponsor.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.
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