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NIGEL Howe says he “cannot wait” to cross cues with the northern lads as the English Masters Tour (40+) heads into its national stage.
The Basildon break builder ended the southern section in second place after winning his second tournament this season.
Howe defeated Anthony Harris (Sutton Coldfield) 3-1 in the final of the fourth and last leg at Club 147, Leicester. It was the first frame he had dropped all day.
“It was a great day for me,” he said: “I’ve been practising hard for this tournament and it paid off with some very good breaks.
“I was happy with the way I played in the semi-final against Hassan Vaizie as he won the last event so I knew I had to be on top form to beat him and then played very solid in the final against Anthony Harris who is a very good player.
“As regards the second stage, I cannot wait. The prospects of playing the players from the north will be good and I will definitely be putting in more practice for these events. Hopefully it pays off again and I do myself justice.”
Howe, who pocketed £75 prize money, recorded breaks of 54, 92, 46 and 42 in his three group-stage matches but Harris took the £15 high-break prize with a run of 111 in the quarter-finals.
Andrew Soper (Maidstone) made it through to the semi-finals for the first time before going out to Harris.
Players from the northern and southern tours now join together for three national events at Oldham, in March, Dunstable, in April, and Oldbury, in May.
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.
The Basildon break builder ended the southern section in second place after winning his second tournament this season.
Howe defeated Anthony Harris (Sutton Coldfield) 3-1 in the final of the fourth and last leg at Club 147, Leicester. It was the first frame he had dropped all day.
“It was a great day for me,” he said: “I’ve been practising hard for this tournament and it paid off with some very good breaks.
“I was happy with the way I played in the semi-final against Hassan Vaizie as he won the last event so I knew I had to be on top form to beat him and then played very solid in the final against Anthony Harris who is a very good player.
“As regards the second stage, I cannot wait. The prospects of playing the players from the north will be good and I will definitely be putting in more practice for these events. Hopefully it pays off again and I do myself justice.”
Howe, who pocketed £75 prize money, recorded breaks of 54, 92, 46 and 42 in his three group-stage matches but Harris took the £15 high-break prize with a run of 111 in the quarter-finals.
Andrew Soper (Maidstone) made it through to the semi-finals for the first time before going out to Harris.
Players from the northern and southern tours now join together for three national events at Oldham, in March, Dunstable, in April, and Oldbury, in May.
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.