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Topic: *Industry News* March 2010

INDUSTRY NEWS - March 2010

Pro9 receives more news than we can fit on our front page, and not all news can take pride of place with our "featured article" status, and frankly some news is less relevant to the European market, so for a trial period, we will be presenting it here!

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Doherty Eager For Crucible Success

Former Crucible King Ken Doherty believes that he has more golden days to look forward to at snooker’s Theatre of Dreams as he prepares for the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship qualifiers.

Having slipped to 44th in the world rankings, The Darling of Dublin must win two matches in the qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield, to reach the televised stages at the Crucible. He could play Jimmy White in his opening match this Thursday, with the winner to face Joe Swail.

Doherty won the world title in 1997, and remains the only non-British player other than Cliff Thorburn to lift the famous trophy. “It’s amazing that it’s 13 years ago, the time has gone so quickly since then. I still feel like a teenager, and some would say I act like one!” said the 40-year-old. “I’ve got some great memories of playing at Sheffield which I will never forget. To be World Champion for a year was fantastic.

“It was the best snooker I have ever played, especially to beat Stephen Hendry in the final when he was unbeaten there for five years and at the top of his game. It was David against Goliath but I came out on top.

“I want to qualify this year to relive the memories and to create more for myself, as I know I’m still capable of doing it on the big stage.”

A 10-5 defeat to Gerard Greene in last year’s qualifiers meant Doherty missing out on the Crucible for the first time since 1993, and he is determined to avoid a repeat. “The whole of last season was a disaster for me and I went there in a bad state with no chance of winning,” he said.

“This time it’s different and I’m looking forward to it. The matches there are important for everyone because there is so much riding on it. If I can win my first match, it could cement my place in the top 32 for next season, which would be an achievement in itself and give me a great stepping stone to getting back up the rankings.”

Doherty will be joined at the qualifiers by the likes of Steve Davis, Jimmy White, John Parrott, Graeme Dott, Judd Trump, Liang Wenbo and Matthew Stevens. The event started last Friday and runs until March 9. For ticket details call 07899 688158 or visit the World Snooker desk at the EISS.

RUBILEN AMIT TO COMPETE IN 2010 AMWAY WPA WOMEN’S WORLD 9-BALL
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

REIGNING Women’s World 10-ball champion Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit left the country yesterday (Tuesday) aboard Philippine Airlines (PAL) to compete in the 2010 AMWAY WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Open slated on March 4 to 7 at the Core Pacific Living Mall Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan.

“I hope to do well in this event,” said the Cebuana native Amit, one of the top players of sportsman-businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, who feted Athlete of the Year together with long jumper Marestella Torres and taekwondo jins Camille Alarilla, Janice Lagman and Rani Ann Ortega of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) during the Annual Awards Night last Monday at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

Amit's impressive run in the 2007 Amway WPA Women's World 9-Ball championship ended in a runner-up finish losing to eventual champion Xiao-Ting Pan of China, 11-5, in the title round held at the Taipei Gymnasium in Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.

The Filipino's failure to bag the title, however, mirrored not her tenacity in bagging the second place spot worth $10,000.

Amit was considered as the tournament's giant killer as she eliminated Allison "the Duchess of Doom" Fisher of Great Britain, who is considered as the Efren "Bata" Reyes of women's pool, in the group stage then went on to defeat back-to-back defending champion Ga young Kim of Korea and Yukiko Hamanishi of Japan on her route to the finals.

According to his coach Boyet Asonto, Amit "came just short with the loss to Pan in the finals."

2009 Great Year for Rubilen

The World women’s No.10 Amit captured the first ever JBET Poker.net Women’s World 10 –Ball championship on a thrilling finals match by beating Liu Shin Min Liu of Taiwan to secure the victory at the Sky Dome at SM North Edsa in Quezon City last June.

The Filipina pocketed the $20,000 top purse and the honor of being the first Women's World 10-Ball champion.

Amit also teamed up with pool maestro and Puyat Sports stable mate Efren “Bata” Reyes to capture the 1st Mixed Doubles Classic championships last November then winning two gold medals in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games in Laos last December.

Previous AMWAY WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Open champions Pan, Kim, Fisher, Karen Corr of Ireland, Chou Chieh-Yu and Chang Shu-han of Taiwan also invited to play in the tournament proper.

Other notable women’s players will seeing in action are Kelly Fisher of Great Britain, Jasmin Ouschan and Gerda Hofstatter of Austria, Akimi Kajatani of Japan, Liu Sha Shan of China and You Ram Cha of Korea.

Not to be outdone are Lim Yun-Min of Korea, Kahawara Chihiro of Japan, Tsai Pei –Chen, Liu-Shin Mei, Lin Yuan Chun, Lin Hsiao Chi and Tan Ho Yun of the host country.

Group stage is divided into eight groups with six players in each group. The format call is round-robin format using the race-to-7 affair.

The last 24 will be employs the single elimination format, race-to-7 affair. The semi-finals will be race-to-9 while the final is race-to-11. Winner’s break format will be apply.

AMIT CONQUEROR ALSO FAILED IN AMWAY WOMEN'S WORLD 9-BALL OPEN
BY:MARLON BERNARDINO

(Quarter-finals matches)

S. M. Chen (China) vs. Yu Han (China)

Shu- Han Chang (Chinese-Taipei) vs. Kelly Fisher (USA)

Ga Young Kim (Korea) vs. Allison Fisher (Great Britain)

Vivian Villarreal (USA) vs. You-Ram Cha (Korea)

THE two conqueror of Philippines long entry Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit also failed to advance in the quarter-finals of the 2010 Amway WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Open yesterday at the Core Pacific Living Mall Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan.

Current World's womens no.1 player Karen Corr of Ireland was yielded to former back-to-back world champion Ga Young Kim of Korea in the "Sweet 16" (5-7) while Xiao Fang Fu of China succumbed to ex-US Open 9-ball tilist Kelly Fisher of the USA (5-7).

The 27-year-old Amit from Mandaue City, Cebu, earlier lost to Corr (3-7) in the fifth and final round during the group stage match last Friday then suffered another setbacks to Fu (5-7) last Saturday in the last 24,single elimination format, winner's break, race-to-7 affair in this annual event, which is offers $20,000 to the champion.

Other lady cue artists who made it to the quarter-finals that includes S. M. Chen and Yu Han of China,Shu- Han Chang of Chinese-Taipei, Allison Fisher of Great Britain, Vivian Villarreal of the USA and You-Ram Cha of Korea.


http://sport.videoland.com.tw/event/10amway/amway03.asp

First Four Qualify for Vegas

Ex World Champ is First Man Through

QUALIFICATION for the ‘Race to Vegas’ got underway in February and so far four players have won their way through to take their place in the starting line-up of the 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters.

This year sees the event restructured from a 16 player invitational into a 64 player event with approximately half the players qualifying and the other half invited.

In the opening qualifying event which took place on Sunday 14th February at the Leader Club Billard in Sucy en Brie, Paris, it was Germany’s Oliver Ortmann who took the top spot to book himself a trip to Vegas.

In a strong field that followed on from the Euro Tour stop that week, the 42 year-old Ortmann beat Japan’s Yukio Akakariyama to take victory. The 1995 World Champion now joins countrymen Ralf Souquet and Thomas Engert for a crack at the Masters crown.

To emphasise the strength of the line up, beaten semi-finalists were England’s recently crowned World Team Champion Karl Boyes and Bruno Muratore of Italy.
                                            

The following Saturday 20th February, it was Holland’s Hudji See who made it through via the qualifier at Thurston’s in Rotterdam, Netherlands. See, currently ranked No.27 in Europe, was a runner-up at the 2007 World Straight Pool Championship and this will be his Masters debut.

The Dutchman won through 11-9 in a thriller against Belgium’s Serge Das. The match was finely poised at 8-8 before the 28 year-old See pulled away.

On Friday 26th February, the cream of Norwegian pool came together at the Oscar Kong Pool Club in Bergen and it was Tron Engebakk (Norway) who won through to take the Vegas trip.

Finally at Frame Billiard Club in Lodz, Poland on Saturday 27th, Polish youngster Bartosz Rozwadowski carved his way through a high quality field to book a dream trip to Las Vegas.

The 19 year old from Kielce was a silver medallist at the 2008 European Junior Pool Championships and he took the honours, defeating Wojciech Trajdos, a former winner on the Euro Tour, 9-5 in the final.

It was a sterling performance from Rozwadowski as the line-up in Lodz contained such names as Mateusz Sniegocki, Radoslaw Babica and Mariusz Skoneczny, who are ranked 5, 22 and 26 in Europe respectively.

Working with an array of respected partners around the world, the qualifying events take in France, England, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Russia, Spain, Canada, USA, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. This will give every pool player in the world the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and mix it with the world’s elite in the Masters.

Each qualifying event will carry an entry fee and have, in most cases a maximum field of 32 players. The winner of each event wins a trip to Vegas, to include flight and accommodation, to compete in the Masters and there are cash prizes for high finishers depending on entries.

The formats for the qualifying events are determined by the local organisers and all qualifiers, dates and contact details are listed on www.matchroompool.com.

After 17 years as a 16-player invitational competition, the Masters, one of the longest established tournaments in pool, has moved to 64 players and will run from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16, will take place at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Working in conjunction with Cuesports International, the Masters takes place during the annual BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships, which sees thousands of players and fans flock to the Riviera for a lengthy festival of pool.

The first two days of the main event in May feature double elimination play on a multi-table set-up as the field reduces from 64 down to 32.

The event then goes to single elimination and the last 16 is played out in a single table arena setting in front of the TV cameras, culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday, May 16.

Television is produced by Matchroom Sport and will be seen as 15 x one hour programmes in 14 countries around the world with more to be added to the list.

The prize fund is set at a guaranteed $100,000 with $20,000 going to the eventual champion.

Four More Win Through to for Vegas

Two Brits, a Pole and an Aussie are Riviera Bound

THERE WAS more PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters qualification action last week as four more players won their way through to the main event which takes place from 12th to 16th May at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

With the event taking on a new format this year, there will be 64 in the starting line-up with a good number of them being qualifiers competing in events around the world.

The biggest name to win through was Poland’s Radoslaw Babica who put on a stellar display to win the event at the King’s Club in Bucharest, Romania.

Babica, who is consistently ranked in the upper echelons of the Euro Tour, played very well throughout the whole event, recording 15 run-outs in total. In the final match he beat Romanian Ioan Ladany 9 – 4 to book his flight to Vegas.

Players from Serbia, Armenia, Romania and Poland took part to indicate the growth of the sport through Eastern Europe.

‘It was the time of my life. I felt perfect on the day and my opponents didn't get many opportunities,’ said Babica.

The tournament was organised by the Mak Marketing Company from Poland, who also promoted the qualifier in Lodz in February.

On the same weekend in Glasgow, up and coming talent Jayson Shaw (Scotland) won through, beating countryman Michael Valentine 15 – 6 at Reardon’s Snooker and Pool Club. Shaw, 20, will relish the opportunity to pit his skills against the best in Las Vegas. The tournament was organised by SAPPA, the Scottish pool organisation,

Also in the UK, seasoned English pro Kevin Uzzell beat Klaus Zobrekis in London to secure his trip to Vegas. Midland-based Uzzell has represented England in five World Pool Championships so will be bringing plenty of experience to Las Vegas.

The first spot to be determined last week went to Australia’s Ben Nunan who beat compatriot Alec Evreniadis at the Empire Pool Lounge in Adelaide.

Nunan is a top English 8 Ball player in Australia but won through a strong field to secure a dream trip to the Riviera.

Working with an array of respected partners around the world, the qualifying events take in France, England, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Canada, USA, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. This will give every pool player in the world the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and mix it with the world’s elite in the Masters.

Each qualifying event will carry an entry fee and have, in most cases a maximum field of 32 players. The winner of each event wins a trip to Vegas, to include flight and accommodation, to compete in the Masters and there are cash prizes for high finishers depending on entries.

After 17 years as a 16-player invitational competition, the Masters, one of the longest established tournaments in pool, has moved to 64 players and will run from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16, will take place at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Working in conjunction with Cuesports International, the Masters takes place during the annual BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships, which sees thousands of players and fans flock to the Riviera for a lengthy festival of pool.

The first two days of the main event in May feature double elimination play on a multi-table set-up as the field reduces from 64 down to 32.

The event then goes to single elimination and the last 16 is played out in a single table arena setting in front of the TV cameras, culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday, May 16.

Television is produced by Matchroom Sport and will be seen as 15 x one hour programmes in 14 countries around the world with more to be added to the list.

The prize fund is set at a guaranteed $100,000 with $20,000 going to the eventual champion.

MARLON MANALO READY FOR WORLD POOL MASTERS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

READY and confident. That’s how Marlon Manalo described his condition in the forthcoming 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters slated on May 12 to 16 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I will do my very best for flag and country,” said the former snooker champion Manalo, dubbed as Marvelous” in the world of pool playing under the banner of Mandaluyong mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. and Solar Sports.

Joining Manalo are Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo and Lee Van “The Slayer” Corteza.

The Filipinos will contend with cue artists from more than 20 countries features a 64-man field and offers a $100,000 total pot prize with the champion getting $20,000.

Some of the international players entered in the event are Darren Appleton, Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer, Thorsten Hohmann, Daryl Peach, Ralf Souquet, David Alcaide, Shane Van Boening, Tony Drago, Allison Fisher, Yu Ram Cha, and Jasmin Ouschan.

The first two days of the event features double elimination play on a multi-table set-up as the field will be reduced from 64 to 32.

It will then go to single elimination and the Last 16 will be played out in a single table arena setting in front of the TV cameras, culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday, May 16.

Hendry To Face Debutant Zhang At Crucible

Seven times Crucible King Stephen Hendry will play new Chinese sensation Zhang Anda in the first round of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship next month.

The random draw for the televised stages took place this morning and saw legend Hendry pitched against 18-year-old debutant Zhang. The last 32 clash will start on the opening day of the tournament, Saturday April 17, and conclude the following day.

“Last year I played Mark Williams in the first round so I knew what to expect, but this time I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never played Zhang. He’s an unknown quantity,” said Scotland’s Hendry.

Zhang, who stands five feet three inches tall and is nicknamed Mighty Mouse, won four matches in the qualifying rounds to earn a place at snooker’s most famous venue. "I am very excited about the draw,” he said. “Stephen Hendry is a snooker legend and it will be a dream and an honour to play him at the Crucible. I hope I will be able to give him a good game and I am looking forward to it very much.”

Defending Betfred.com World Champion John Higgins faces a stiff test on the opening day against Barry Hawkins, the highest ranked of the qualifiers at No 17 in the World.

World No 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan also has a tough draw, up against Chinese ace Liang Wenbo, whom the Rocket beat in the quarter-finals en route to his third World title in 2008.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 champion, will take on 2007 finalist Mark Selby, while Peter Ebdon faces Graeme Dott in a repeat of the 2006 final. Steve Davis, making a record 30th appearance at the Crucible, will be up against fellow Essex cueman Mark King.

The Betfred.com World Snooker Championship runs from April 17 to May 3. Tickets for certain session are still available, for details call 0114 249 6006 or visit
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

The draw in full is:

John Higgins v Barry Hawkins
Mark King v Steve Davis
Neil Robertson v Fergal O'Brien
Marco Fu v Martin Gould
Ali Carter v Jamie Cope
Joe Perry v Michael Holt
Ding Junhui v Stuart Pettman
Shaun Murphy v Gerard Greene
Stephen Maguire v Stephen Lee
Peter Ebdon v Graeme Dott
Mark Allen v Tom Ford
Ryan Day v Mark Davis
Mark Selby v Ken Doherty
Stephen Hendry v Zhang Anda
Mark Williams v Marcus Campbell
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Liang Wenbo

Morra Powers Through to Vegas

Another Qualifier Announced for UK

HIGHLY DANGEROUS Canadian cueist John Morra will be in Las Vegas in May as he won through a tough qualifying event at Shooters Snooker and Sports Bar in Toronto last weekend. Morra, 20, is the ninth qualifier to win a spot in the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters which takes place at the Riviera Hotel from 12 – 16 May.

Morra beat Erik Hjorleifson 13-12 in a nail-biting final. Earlier, John had beaten his father Mario in another hill-hill thriller in the ‘B’ bracket final - the final score was 11-10. John trailed 10-7 before Mario missed a combo on the 2-9 to win the match and from there John took over to win.

Hjorleifson had beaten Alex Radomski in the ‘A’ side final 11-5, having earlier beaten Jason Klatt 11-9 in the semi-final. Morra wins a trip to the Masters where he will surely be one to avoid in the early stages.

In other qualifier news, UK tour GB9 are staging another qualifier after the first, which takes place, in Buxton, Derbyshire on Monday 15th March, sold out all 32 spots.

The second will take place at the Barcelo Imperial Hotel in Blackpool on Monday 26th April. To enter visit the GB9 site - www.gb9balltour.com

Working with an array of respected partners around the world, the qualifying events take in France, England, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Canada, USA, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. This will give every pool player in the world the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and mix it with the world’s elite in the Masters.

Each qualifying event will carry an entry fee and have, in most cases a maximum field of 32 players. The winner of each event wins a trip to Vegas, to include flight and accommodation, to compete in the Masters and there are cash prizes for high finishers depending on entries.

After 17 years as a 16-player invitational competition, the Masters, one of the longest established tournaments in pool, has moved to 64 players and will run from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16, will take place at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Working in conjunction with Cuesports International, the Masters takes place during the annual BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships, which sees thousands of players and fans flock to the Riviera for a lengthy festival of pool.

The first two days of the main event in May feature double elimination play on a multi-table set-up as the field reduces from 64 down to 32.

The event then goes to single elimination and the last 16 is played out in a single table arena setting in front of the TV cameras, culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday, May 16.

Television is produced by Matchroom Sport and will be seen as 15 x one hour programmes in 14 countries around the world with more to be added to the list.

The prize fund is set at a guaranteed $100,000 with $20,000 going to the eventual champion.

BCA Seeks Candidates for Board of Directors Seats

Broomfield, Colo. - March 12, 2010 - The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) announces a call for nominations for Board of Directors seats for the 2010-2011 Board year. The 2010 Nominating Committee is currently accepting nominations for a total of six (6) available Board seats - four (4) in the Manufacturer/Distributor category, one (1) in the Retailer category and one (1) in the Room Operator category.

BCA members can nominate themselves or a colleague for these positions. Candidates for the Board seats must be current members of the BCA and qualify in the appropriate member category. The following are the open positions available on the BCA Board:

    *     Manufacturer/Distributor Seat - Candidates must qualify as a manufacturer or distributor to apply for the Manufacturer/Distributor Seat. This means the organization the candidate represents is a licensed business entity primarily engaged in the manufacture or wholesale distribution of billiard equipment or accessories. These seats are for three-year terms.

    *     Retailer Seat - Candidates must qualify as a retailer to apply for the Retailer Seat. This means that the organization the candidate represents must be a licensed business entity engaged in the selling of billiard equipment or billiard accessories from an established, publicly known place of business. This seat is for a three-year term.

    *     Room Operator Seat - Candidates must qualify as a room operator or league operator to apply for the Room Operator Seat. This means that the organization the candidate represents must be a licensed business entity operating an establishment where billiards are played or a licensed business entity operating a billiards league or league system. This seat is for a three-year term.

The process the committee will use in making these appointments is as follows: In order to select the best candidates, the decision will be based on the needs of the organization and the information provided by potential candidates. Each nominee will be provided a Candidate Data Form that is designed to allow candidates to tell the committee why they are the best candidate for the position at this time. All candidates are required to complete all five sections of this candidate data form.

The Candidate Data Form is comprised of sections that ask specific questions about the candidates:

    *     BCA Member Status
    *     Billiards Industry Volunteer Experience
    *     Professional Job Experience and Responsibilities
    *     Potential Contributions to the BCA and Committee Interest
    *     Vision for BCA
    *     Consent to Run and Serve by Member Entity
    *     Indication of Willingness to Follow BCA Policies and Procedures

The nominating committee will review the forms, follow up with phone interviews if necessary and propose a slate of candidates for all open positions. The committee will then notify the BCA secretary, in writing, of the names of the candidates. All candidates will be contacted as to whether they have been slated or not by Thursday, May 20, 2010. Candidates unsuccessful in being slated will be asked if they want to contribute to the organization in other ways, such as through committee participation.

Candidates interested in running or those wishing to nominate a candidate should contact Shane Tyree, BCA membership and communications coordinator, at shane@bca-pool.com to let the BCA know of your intentions by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Thursday, April 8, 2010. Those who are nominated will receive a Candidate Date Form via e-mail no later than the next business day. The form is also available for download as a PDF file on the BCA Web site at: http://www.bca.affiniscape.com/associations/7744/files/BCA_CandidateDataForm_2010BODElection.pdf.

The nomination should include a message stating the candidate name, title, company and complete contact information (including e-mail address) along with a message identifying the position to which the person is being nominated.

The Candidate Data Form must be completed and returned by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in order to be considered for a position. Completed forms should returned to Shane Tyree, BCA membership and communications coordinator, at shane@bca-pool.com or via fax at 303.243.5075.
About Billiard Congress of America

BCA logoFounded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards through education, marketing and promotional efforts, an annual industry trade show, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's games. For more information, please visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.

World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association press release

REANNE Evans’ bid for a clean sweep this season on the women’s snooker circuit moved a step closer after the Paul Wood-sponsored £1,000 Connie Gough National Championship (on Saturday, March 6).

The 24-year-old five-time world champion from Dudley defeated Maria Catalano 3-1 in the final at the Stadium Snooker Club, Hall Green, Birmingham .

Victory over world number two Catalano, also from Dudley , extended Evans’ impressive winning run on the WLBSA tour to 57 matches.

She secured her 22nd WLBSA ranking title with breaks of 41 and 45 after world number two Catalano, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 28-year-old cousin, had squared the match at 1-1.

Evans compiled runs of 104 and 64 in a 3-0 quarter-final win over Marianne Williams, from Surrey .

Cambridge hosts the world championship, the season finale, next month.

“It’d be good to do the clean sweep,” said Evans. “That’s what keeps me concentrating.

“I’m always confident; it’s on the day, really. You have to be confident to win.”

Losing semi-finalists Emma Bonney, the world number three from Portsmouth , and world number four Katie Henrick, from Bickley , Kent , both survived fifth-frame deciders in the last 16.

Bonney, 33, edged out Gaye Jones while Henrick, 29, accounted for Tina Owen-Sevilton.

Derby schoolgirl Hannah Jones, 13, collected her third Plate trophy and her eighth junior title. Gaye Jones, from Melksham, Wiltshire, clinched the Seniors’ title.

The Connie Gough National Championship was the fifth of six WLBSA ranking events this season.

Paul Wood is also sponsoring the WLBSA’s world snooker championship, in Cambridge on April 3-7, and the WLBSA’s world billiards championship, in Birmingham on April 8, to the tune of £1,000 each.

The 49-year-old from Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, who has suffered from cerebral palsy all his life and is confined to a wheelchair, said: “I’m so proud to have sponsored the tournament. It was wonderful. The ladies were absolutely marvellous.”

RESULTS (breaks)

PRELIM: Jasmine Bolsover beat Naomi Clare 3-0, Hannah Jones beat Joanne Davies 3-1.

LAST 16: Reanne Evans beat Bolsover 3-0, Marianne Williams beat Martina Lumsden 3-0, Katie Henrick (44) beat Tina Owen-Sevilton 3-2, Vicky Ashby beat Suzie Opacic 3-1, Emma Bonney (53) beat Gaye Jones 3-2, Jenny Poulter beat Jodie Symes 3-1, Eva Palmius beat Maureen Logan 3-0, Maria Catalano (58, 53) beat H Jones 3-1.

QUARTER-FINALS (£50): Evans (104, 64) beat Williams 3-0, Henrick beat Ashby 3-0, Bonney beat Poulter 3-0, Catalano (71) beat Palmius 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS (£100): Evans beat Henrick 3-0, Catalano (48 ) beat Bonney 3-1.

FINAL (£400/£200): Evans (45, 41) beat Catalano 3-1.

PLATE

QUARTER-FINALS: Naomi Clare beat Maureen Logan 2-0, Jodie Symes beat Joanne Davies 2-1, Gaye Jones beat Tina Owen-Sevilton 2-1, Hannah Jones beat Jasmine Bolsover 2-0.

SEMI-FINALS: Clare beat Symes 2-0, H Jones beat G Jones 2-0.

FINAL: H Jones beat Clare 2-0.

SENIORS

PRELIM: Eva Palmius beat Martina Lumsden 1-0,

SEMI-FINALS: Marianne Williams beat Palmius 1-0, Gaye Jones beat Jenny Poulter 1-0.

FINAL: Jones beat Williams 2-0.

JUNIORS

PRELIM: Jodie Symes beat Naomi Clare 1-0.

SEMI-FINALS: Symes beat Jasmine Bolsover 1-0, Hannah Jones (31) beat Joanne Davies 1-0.

FINAL: Jones beat Symes 2-0.





Next WLBSA snooker ranking event:
World Championship
Saturday April 3 to Wednesday April 7, 2010
Cambridge Snooker Centre
Coldhams Road
Cambridge
CB1 3EW
Tel: 01223 249661

World Championships consist of:

World Ladies Snooker Championship
World Mixed Pairs
World Ladies Seniors (40 & over)
World Ladies Doubles
World Ladies Junior Championship
World Ladies Plate Competition

Next WLBSA billiards ranking event:
World Championship
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Stadium Snooker Club
Hall Green Stadium
York Road
Hall Green
Birmingham
B28 8LQ
Tel: 08708 407380


Picture of Reanne Evans by Monique Limbos

ORCOLLO, ALCANO TO PLAY 2010 DAMAS WORLD 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

World-renowned pool players Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Ronnie "Volcano" Alcano banner the Philippine contingent that will play at the 2010 Damas World 8-ball Championships April 4 to 10 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

This was revealed by sportsman/ businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano in an interview of this writer yesterday.

" Inimbitahan na maglaro sina Dennis (Orcullo) at Ronnie (Alcano) sa 2010 World 8-ball sa Fujairah,” said Mariano, also the co-founder of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

Alcano is best to remember winning the WPA World 9-ball in Manila and WPA World 8-ball, both was held in 2007. Alcano, who beat German Ralf Souquet in the finals of 2007 WPA World 9-ball failed to defend his title in the WPA World 8-ball losing to Ralf Souquet of Germany in the 2008 edition.

Joining Orcullo and Alcano in the tournament proper are Filipino billiards masters Efren "Bata" Reyes and former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante.

The tournament features a 64-man field and offers a $100,000 total pot prize with the champion getting $28,000.

Joven Bustamante, a distant relative of "Django" Bustamante, needed to go to the qualification tournament set on March 31 to April 3.

" Gagawin ko ang lahat ng best para sa bayan. Saka hindi ko bibiguin si Boss Perry (Mariano), said the young Bustamante.

Other invited players are Europe - David Alcaide, Darren Appleton, Marcus Chamat, Niels Feijen,Thorsten Hohmann, Mike Immonen, Imram Majid, Daryl Peach and Souquet.

USA- Shane Van Boening, Rodney Morris, Corey Deuel, Dennis Hatch, Brandon Shuff, John Schmidt, Mike Sigel and Charlie Williams

Asia - Yang Ching Shun, Chang Jung Lin, Chang Pe Wei, Ko Pin Yi, Ricky Yang and HRH Prince Billah

The Format of the event is two straight wins will advance to the last 32.

Asia vs USA/Europe in Women's First Ever Queens Cup

Chicago,IL - Dragon Promotions once again is making history bringing together the hottest women in billiards from the three strongest billiard continents in the 1st Annual Queens Cup! It's East vs West as four Asian women take on the women's team formed from USA and Europe.

The event will select four women from Asia and four women from the Western continents of Europe and the United States. The two teams will battle over three days in a format which will include singles, doubles, and 4-on-4 matches. Previously DP produced the first ever women's 3cushion carom event where Korea vs World Team of Japan,USA, and Europe. But Dragon Promotions plans on the Queens Cup being a yearly spectacle and to build it as a premiere billiards event.

DP has a successful run of women's billiards events and team events as shown here in South Korea

"We have been planning this event for some time now, and this year the event will push through. We have produced many team events that have had great success which have included women and men. But this will be the first ever pocket billiards women's team tournament which will showcase the already existing rivalry of Asia vs the West," said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions.

And the big question will be who will be on the team and where will it take place?

"We want that to be a surprise. We will announce the chosen players for the team before long, but it will be a strong team of players. As far as location, more than likely it will take place in Asia," Lee adds on.

Asia has been the leading hotbed of billiards in the world as shown here at DP's 2009 Women's World 10-Ball Championship in the Philippines

The event will be telecasted internationally on multiple networks including TV giant ESPN Star Sports which penetrates over 200 million households. The Queen's Cup is slated for this summer.

Dragon Promotions is one of the leading producers of billiard programming in the world today. Dragon produces over 40 events a year airing on networks in the Philippines, USA, Korea, India, and Europe such as ABS-CBN, ESPN, MBC ESPN, XTM, XPORTS, and EuroSport. Events include The Women's World 10-Ball Championship, The World 14.1 Championship, The Predator International 10-Ball Championship, King & Queen of Carom, Empress Cup, Pro Pool Schools, Masters of Trickshot , World Junior 10-Ball Championships, Korea vs USA, World Mixed Doubles Classic and many more. Dragon also manages some of the world's best players including Mika Immonen, Jeanette Lee, Shanelle Loraine, Mike Davis, Yu Ram Cha, Raj Hundal, Rodney Morris, Charlie Williams, and many more.

The Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited (“HKSIL”) is dedicated to provide an environment in which sports talent can be identified, nurtured and developed to pursue excellence in the international sporting arena. We are now inviting suitable candidates for the following vacancy:

HEAD BILLIARD SPORTS COACH

THE JOB

The HKSIL works in close collaboration with the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Council (“HKBSCC”) in achieving the jointly defined goals of elite training. Therefore, while reporting to the Chief Executive, the incumbent is also responsible to the HKBSCC to ensure the following duties are satisfactorily conducted:

To oversee the planning, design, implementation, evaluation, of the Billiard Sports programme in line with the agreed training and competition aims of the HKBSCC and HKSIL;
To lead the Billiard Sports Department, managing coaching and administrative staff, ensuring that it operates effectively, efficiently and within the annual financial budget;
To create systematic opportunities for talent to emerge through related programmes so that the development of Billiard Sports is enhanced;
To ensure that all scientific, medical and other athlete support services are fully utilised and integrated into the Billiard Sports programme to enhance elite training outcomes;
To contribute technical information to in-house and general media publications as requested;
To contribute to the enhancement of the professional image of the HKSIL;
To contribute towards the overall development of coach education programmes which contribute to the development of more and better local coaches; and
To motivate and train direct reporting coaches to become high quality international coaches.

THE REQUIREMENTS

Holder of a university degree or equivalent;
Holder of national level coaching certificates recognized by HKBSCC;
Over 10 years with a proven record of achievement in coaching Billiard Sports at international level;
Substantial experience in leading programme planning and administration in Billiard Sports. Knowledge in sports science and sports medicine and be able to bring their benefits to the coaching process;
Excellent interpersonal / analytical / evaluation / planning skills; and
High level of computer literacy.

APPLICATIONS

Successful candidate will be remunerated in accordance with qualification and relevant experience. Attractive remuneration package (maximum up to HK$1.5M) will be offered to the right candidate. Please send full resume with current and expected salary, contact telephone number, address and availability to The Human Resources Manager, Hong Kong Sports Institute Ltd, 25 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong or email: hrdept@hksi.org.hk on or before 30 March 2010. Please quote reference no. JD-20100316-HBILC in the application.

Appointment will be on a fixed term contract. General information is available at the website http://www.hksi.org.hk. For enquiries, please call Ms Woo at (852) 2681 6343.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Applicants who are not invited for interview within six months may consider their applications unsuccessful.

Data collected will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes only.

CORTEZA, MANALO MADE IT TO THE 64 MAIN DRAW OF FUJAIRAH WORLD 8-BALL---BSCP
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

REIGNING World Ten-Ball finalists Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza and former snooker champion Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo made it to the 64 main draw of 2010 World 8-Ball Championships slated on April 4 to 10 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

This was revealed yesterday by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Carlos “Boying” Viola.

“Pasok na din sa Last 64 sina Lee Vann (Corteza) at Marlon (Manalo) dahil kasama sila sa top 16 WPA World’s ranking,” said Viola.

The Davao City native Corteza is currently world’s no.4 in the latest World Pool Billiards Association (WPA) ranking list while the Mandaluyong pride Manalo is at no.10.

Joining Corteza and Manalo in the tournament proper are Hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, former world no.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 2009 International Predator 10-ball ruler Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo and 2007 World 8-ball titlist Ronnie “Volcano” Alcano.

The tournament features a 64-man field and offers a $100,000 total pot prize with the champion getting $28,000 in the first World Championships this year sanctioned by WPA.

Other invited players are David Alcaide of Spain, Darren Appleton, Imran Majid and Daryl Peach of Great Britain, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, Mika Immonen of Finland, Thorsten Hohmann and Ralf Souquet of Germany, the 2008 World 8-ball kingpin.

Also include Shane Van Boening, Rodney Morris, Corey Deuel, Dennis Hatch, Brandon Shuff, John Schmidt, Mike Sigel and Charlie Williams of the United States, Yang Ching Shun, Chang Jung Lin, Chang Pe Wei, Ko Pin Yi of Chinese-Taipei, Ricky Yang of Indonesia and HRH Prince Billah of Brunei.

POOL POKER & PAIN TEAMS UP WITH POKER ICONS

Poker Icons, the poker agency that both works with player representations and as a international poker media agency, has been chosen by Blair Thein, the founder of the concept Pool, Poker & Pain.

Blair Thein has combined three of the most action-packed sports around: Pool, Poker and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), and wrapped it up in a very exiting TV reality show.

This sports and entertainment historical show will host its final live at a Las Vegas casino.

Pool, Poker & Pain introduces multi-talented athletes with heart and willpower beyond compare, and the concept is bound to bring together the masses that follow each individual sport.

Thein has constructed Pool, Poker & Pain in a way that allows each sport to keep its own integrity and identity, but at the same time the contestant have to perform in all of them to be crowned the overall winner.

"This also opens up a window of opportunity for payback in case of any bad beats at the poker table", says Blair with a smile.

The contestant will be facing each other both at the pool table, on the poker felt and finally in the circle of truth (MMA style) a 32-foot fighting cage.

There will be several world class coaches to tutor the contestants in each sport, but the poker pro coach is still undecided…

“I negotiated with most of the known poker agencies, but landed on Poker Icons to be our representatives in the gaming industry. I was really impressed with what they could bring to the table, and since this is my life's work, I'm going with only the best” - Blair explains.

Poker Icons will be responsible for bringing on the poker brand and coaches, but also the high profiled agency Brand In Entertainment (BIE) is part of the team. They bring over 35 years of main stream advertising experience, along with an impressive roster of clients who appreciate the effectiveness of brand integration.

Rolfe Auerbach, BIE - CEO comments:
"Brand-in Entertainment believes that the opportunity to profoundly change the nature of three sports – Poker, Pool and Martial Arts – in one project – opens the door to a vast array of viewers and ultimately to new buyers for the clients who integrate their products and services into Pool, Poker and Pain. Once involved in this manner, these clients will become part of the series plotline – and cannot be TiVo’d out. Additional spot advertising they buy in the series will serve to enhance their efforts to reach their consumer.”

Blair Thein, Pool, Poker & Pain founder comments:
"Pool,Poker and Pain has finally broke through to the poker industry! After 6 years creating this unique and extremely exciting concept, I am thrilled that I found Poker Icons to represent us towards the gaming industry! I really feel very blessed and honored now that both BIE and Poker Icons is fighting for this show and that my vision and dream is very close to becoming a reality!”

Per Hagen, Poker Icons - CEO comments:
“We here at Poker Icons are very happy and proud being selected by Pool, Poker & Pain to represent them in the poker industry. I have absolute no doubt that this concept will create sporting and entertainment history!”

Pool, Poker & Pain got a lot of attention in the pool and fight media, and they have already secured sponsorship deals with major main stream products and Simonis, the leading pool cloth manufactor.

Poker Icons will now start to search for a poker brand to align themselves with this global groundbreaking concept and ongoing talks with different TV networks is also under way.

DJANGO BEATS BATA RULES JAPAN 9-BALL OPEN; POCKETS 1.5 MILLION YEN
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FORMER WORLD NO.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante defeated compatriot Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-7, in an all-Filipino finals to win the championship of the 23rd Japan 9-Ball Open in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.

Bustamante, a native of Tarlac City, captured the top prize of 1.5 million yen (about €12,250 EUR / £11,050 GBP) in clinching his first major title this year.

To reach the finals, Bustamante hurdled past countryman Jeffrey “The Bull” De Luna in the semi-final round while Reyes subdued Japanese Toru Kuribayashi in the other final four matches.

It was second Japan 9-Ball Open title of Bustamante, top player of Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, who also won the 2002 edition.

"Once again, congratulations Django (Bustamante). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph," said RP billiards godfather Putch Puyat.

Other Filipino bets topped the annual Japan 9-ball Open prestigious event participated by more than 400 cue artists from all over the world are Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego (2009), Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo ( 2008 ), Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan (2007), Antonio “Nickoy” Lining (2006) and Reyes (2005).

Last November, Bustamante defeated Lining, 11-7, in an all-Filipino finals to win the championship of the 2009 All Japan 9-Ball Championship at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan en route two million Yen (roughly P800,000) in that event.
Other Filipino cue artists competed in the annual Japan 9-Ball Open were Lining, Gallego, Frennie Reyes (Son of Efren “Bata” Reyes), Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Roel Esquillo, Renemar David , Cresencio Bariton, Dondon Razalan , Elmer Haya, Lauro Bongay, Valeriano Pajuay, Ronie Aying and Mark Aristotle Mendoza, the 2010 All Kansai 9-Ball Open champion.

Taylor And Davis Set For Crucible Rematch

The 25th anniversary of one of the great contests in sporting history will be marked by a rematch between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis during this year’s Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.

Taylor beat Davis 18-17 on the final black in the 1985 final at the end of an extraordinary encounter which kept 18.5 million fans glued to BBC2 until after midnight.

This year, on Thursday April 29 at 12pm, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, two of snooker’s legendary names will once again grace the famous stage for a one-frame rematch.

For your chance to re-live this iconic moment, contact the Crucible Theatre Box Office. Tickets are free and available on a first come first served basis, either in person from the Box Office or by visiting sheffieldtheatres.co.uk . Tickets must be collected from the Box Office.

The Betfred.com World Snooker Championship runs from April 17 to May 3. Tickets for other matches are still available. For information log on to worldsnooker.com/world

Ebdon Hopes For Repeat Of ‘Greatest Ever’ Victory

Peter Ebdon has no shortage of motivation as he goes into the defence of his Sanyuan Foods China Open title.

The former World Champion is set to fly to Beijing for the world ranking event, which starts on Monday and runs until the following Sunday.

Ebdon beat John Higgins 10-8 in last year’s final, a triumph which allowed him to retain his top 16 status for a 16th consecutive season. His place among the elite is now in danger again, as he stands 18th on the provisional list with just two ranking events to go this season.

“I go to China with great determination,” said 39-year-old Ebdon. “I put my heart and soul into winning it last year, it was a massive effort. Now I need to do it again because my top 16 place is under threat.”

Last season saw Ebdon suffer a crisis of form as well as problems away from the table with the break-up of his 20-year relationship with wife Deborah. “I was in a state mentally, and my game wasn’t there,” he added. “Because of what I was going through in my personal life, I would have to rate winning in China as my greatest ever victory. Even ahead of the (2006) UK Championship, when I played my best ever snooker, and the (2002) World Championship, which is my most significant win. I’m incredibly proud of what I achieved in Beijing. It’s also very important to do well in China because it’s such a huge and developing market, the people are fanatical about snooker.”

Ebdon, who faces Judd Trump in his opening match on Wednesday, warmed up this week with a run to the semi-finals of the Championship League, and is looking to finish the season strongly. “My game is heading in the right direction,” he said. “China is a stepping stone to the World Championship, you need to peak at the right time and be in the best possible shape mentally and physically.”

The Sanyuan Foods China Open will be televised on CCTV and Eurosport, with live scoring on worldsnooker.com

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