Snooker Blog

The snooker season is heading towards the home straight with the final round of leagues just started, and the draw for the Atherton Collins Trophy – the scratch club champs – filling up quickly. We have 34 league players over the five leagues who need to complete all matches by the start of June. Congratulations to Henry Neame for beating Craig de Silva in the James Selby Trophy – the winter handicap knockout – to get his name on the board for the first time.

 

The table has been recovered and is playing like a proper pro table, so if you have not played recently, book the table and have a go. It is very fast and true. I will also shortly start organising the ladies knockout – The Roberta Luxton Trophy. Do let me know if you want to enter any competitions, or you can contact Matt Fidler, Golf and Games Manager.

 

In February, Alex Rose reached the final of the Stirzaker Cup; the London Clubs individual scratch knockout. He faced Bryan Tan of the East India Club, at his home club. The first frame went to the black ball, with Alex playing a series of brave shots, particularly from blue to pink, but unfortunately Bryan finished the frame ahead, and went on to take the next two to win 3-0. Bryan is a formidable opponent and it was a great achievement to make the scratch final against a large field of players from a number of London clubs.

 

There was a decent audience to watch the match and as ever we were very well hosted by the organisers at the East India Club. They run a number of inter-club competitions. Email Andrew Nowell or Captains Matt Woolston and Iain Welsh for more information.

Stephen Hendry visited us on the 20th January for an evening of snooker and chat. A number of players were drawn to take him on including Wilf, Pradip and Alex. A table was set up upstairs and there was a good turnout from many members of the club.

 

Ex-snooker member Alistair McGowan commentated and interviewed Stephen, and I was honoured to don the white gloves for the evening. Stephen showed his usual competitiveness during all frames so our players did not get too much table time, but Kevin and John managed to put him in some tricky snookers, much to the delight of the crowd. Thank you to Marc Newey and his team for organising such a memorable evening.

 

Andrew Nowell, Snooker Chair andrewthomasnowell@gmail.com