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AN ESSEX snooker coach reckons “I’ll have my work cut out” in the final stages of the English Masters Championship (40+).
Russell Huxter was persuaded to embark on a rare venture into national competition by two old friends.
And the 41-year-old from Saffron Walden repaid his pals’ trust by booking a place in the last-16.
Paul Norris (Crawley), Simon Dent (Shoreham-by-Sea), David Brown (Moulton, Northants), Kev Matthews (Rugeley), Bill Cornish (Edmonton), Anthony Harris (Sutton Coldfield) and Peter Delaney (Eastbourne) also progressed from the southern qualifier at Woking Snooker Centre.
“I think I’ll have my work cut out in the last 16, but I’ll enjoy it anyway - I hope,” said Huxter.
“It was nice to take part in a tournament where people get along and interact off the table, whilst the matchplay was highly competitive.”
Huxter entered the English Amateur Championship and the Club Players Championship once previously.
He was urged to enter the Masters by Danny Connelly - who, with Nic Barrow, conducted his “excellent” EASB coaching course - and former playing partner Evan Wellman.
“(Evan and I) grew up playing snooker together in Dorset and hardly see each other now,” explained Huxter. “It was really good to catch up, although he was disappointed with how he played.
“My best playing days are behind me - 25 years ago I was very keen and used to play a lot more - but I still like the competition.
“Now I have a taste, I will try to find some time to enter some of the Masters Tour events next season.”
Huxter also paid tribute to fellow competitor Andrew Soper, who stepped in as tournament director.
The coach competes in the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden & District Snooker League and runs a Saturday junior club at Saffron Snooker Club.
The last-16 knockout stage takes place on Sunday, January 4, at the North East Derbyshire Snooker Centre, Clay Cross.
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.
Russell Huxter was persuaded to embark on a rare venture into national competition by two old friends.
And the 41-year-old from Saffron Walden repaid his pals’ trust by booking a place in the last-16.
Paul Norris (Crawley), Simon Dent (Shoreham-by-Sea), David Brown (Moulton, Northants), Kev Matthews (Rugeley), Bill Cornish (Edmonton), Anthony Harris (Sutton Coldfield) and Peter Delaney (Eastbourne) also progressed from the southern qualifier at Woking Snooker Centre.
“I think I’ll have my work cut out in the last 16, but I’ll enjoy it anyway - I hope,” said Huxter.
“It was nice to take part in a tournament where people get along and interact off the table, whilst the matchplay was highly competitive.”
Huxter entered the English Amateur Championship and the Club Players Championship once previously.
He was urged to enter the Masters by Danny Connelly - who, with Nic Barrow, conducted his “excellent” EASB coaching course - and former playing partner Evan Wellman.
“(Evan and I) grew up playing snooker together in Dorset and hardly see each other now,” explained Huxter. “It was really good to catch up, although he was disappointed with how he played.
“My best playing days are behind me - 25 years ago I was very keen and used to play a lot more - but I still like the competition.
“Now I have a taste, I will try to find some time to enter some of the Masters Tour events next season.”
Huxter also paid tribute to fellow competitor Andrew Soper, who stepped in as tournament director.
The coach competes in the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden & District Snooker League and runs a Saturday junior club at Saffron Snooker Club.
The last-16 knockout stage takes place on Sunday, January 4, at the North East Derbyshire Snooker Centre, Clay Cross.
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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