Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2011

The Magic Of The Masters - Enjoy It In Style

The Masters comes to Alexandra Palace in January and we've come up with a fabulous hospitality package for snooker's greatest invitation event.

The tournament belongs to London and generates a unique atmosphere. It's all about prestige with only the top 16 invited, and there's massive prize money on offer with £150,000 to the winner.

Cue kings including crowd favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan, new sensation Judd Trump, World Champion John Higgins and World No 1 Mark Selby will all be trying to get their hands on the coveted trophy.

There's no better way to enjoy the event than to experience the outstanding hospitality package on offer. It includes:

Champagne Reception on arrival
Two course buffet
Exclusive reserved seating
Exclusive access to Roman Bar
Full Complimentary bar including Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks
Post dinner canapés
Souvenir Programme
Commentary Ear piece

So if you're stuck for Christmas present ideas, looking for an innovative way to entertain your clients, or just keen on an exquisite treat in the New Year, this is the perfect solution.

CALL US NOW on 01277 359925 to book. Packages are selling fast so book early or risk missing out. Prices start at just £100 per person.

Standard tickets for the event are also on sale – for details call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The 2011 Power 16 are revealed

Players announced for the biggest sports gig in town

Power Snooker, the event where sport meets entertainment, has today confirmed the top 16 players who will be taking part in the 2011 Power Snooker Masters Trophy at Event City, Manchester on 19 & 20 November.

Joining the 2010 Power Snooker Champion Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan in the line up will be current World Champion – John Higgins; winner of the 2011 China Open – Judd Trump; Australia's 2010 World Championship winner - Neil Robertson; 2011 Shanghai Masters winner – Mark Selby; winner of the 2011 German Masters - Mark Williams; 2011 Masters Champion – Ding Junhui; winner of the 2011 Brazil Masters – Shaun Murphy; 2010 Shanghai Masters winner – Ali Carter, along with world class snooker players Stephen Maguire; Graeme Dott; Stuart Bingham; Mark Allen; Matthew Stevens; Stephen Lee and Martin Gould.

Endorsed by World Snooker, the 2011 Power Snooker Masters Trophy will see each player battling it out in quickfire knockout rounds of snooker but not as you know it!

Each game will last no more than 30 minutes with the shot-clock ensuring that the audience will be in for a fast paced game of snooker.

Live music from the Power Snooker band will keep the audience entertained in between games, and the sexy Power Girls will be walking the players out onto the main stage in the arena.

The 2011 Power Snooker Masters Trophy is at Event City, Trafford Centre, Manchester on 19 & 20 November and will be shown live on ITV4 over the weekend.

For more information on Power Snooker visit www.powersnooker.com

For tickets visit www.ticketline.co.uk/power-snooker

World Snooker Plans Changes To Tour Structure

World Snooker has announced changes to the structure of the World Professional Tour in order to assist in the further growth of the sport.

At a recent board meeting it was agreed that the number of players competing on the professional circuit will increase from 96 to 128 from the 2013/14 season.

It was also agreed that players gaining a tour card after Q School next May will keep their card for a period of two years rather than one.

These decisions are part of a complete review of the structure of the tour, currently being made in conjunction with the WPBSA.

A further part of this review will include the option of fundamentally changing the ranking system so that it is based on prize money earned, rather than ranking points.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: "Our sport is changing and we need to adjust the structure of the pro tour to reflect that. We are expanding on a global scale and we need to provide more opportunities to international players, and allow all players to develop their careers with the most talented ones rising quickly to the top.

"We are currently in a consultation process and will continue to work closely on this with the WPBSA. Further updates will be announced in due course."

WYLDECREST EXTEND SPONSORSHIP OF WORLD SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP

World Snooker is delighted to announce that Wyldecrest Park Homes has renewed its title sponsorship of the World Seniors Championship.

The tournament was staged for the first time last year and was won by Jimmy White, who beat Steve Davis 4-1 in the final. Once again it will be known as the Wyldecrest Park Homes World Seniors Championship.

The event is on November 5-6 at the East of England Showground in Peterborough and among the legends battling for the £18,000 top prize this year are White, Davis, Dennis Taylor, Cliff Thorburn, Joe Johnson, John Parrott, Tony Knowles and Doug Mountjoy.

Wyldecrest is one of England's largest mobile home park operators, priding itself on having high quality parks and giving residents a peaceful and stress free life.

Alfie Best, chairman of Wyldecrest, said: "Wyldecrest is honoured to partner World Snooker once again and what a fabulous weekend to be had by all for snooker fans, young and old. "

A World Snooker spokesman said: "We're thrilled to welcome Wyldecrest back for this fantastic tournament. This year Sky Sports will televise the whole event live, giving Wyldecrest outstanding exposure for their product.

"The World Seniors was very successful last year and it's great to see even more of the famous names from the 1980s and 1990s in the draw this time. It will be a wonderful couple of days for the fans in the arena and watching on TV, with plenty of banter between the players as well as high quality snooker.”

For ticket details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets or call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).

Robertson - I'm The Best I've Ever Been

Neil Robertson said he is a better player now than he was when he won snooker's World title after beating Judd Trump 4-1 in the final of Players Tour Championship event eight in Ireland.

It was the Australian's second PTC title of the season having won PTC6 in Poland three weeks ago. The left-hander conceded just six frames in the seven matches he won at the Killarney Convention Centre, finishing with a comfortable victory over Trump.

A scrappy first frame went to Robertson on the colours, then Trump levelled in the second with a top break of 39. Robertson knocked in a 76 to regain the lead and stole the crucial fourth frame by potting the final blue and pink. And a calm 65 in the next saw him clinch the 10,000 Euro top prize.

"It wasn't the best final but my safety was good and I did what I needed to," said Robertson, who won the Betfred.com World Championship in 2010. "Up until the final I played really well. Last season I was crashing out in the first or second round of most of the PTC events so it's great to have won a couple now. My form is looking good with the UK Championship and the Masters coming up.

"I've practised harder than ever this season and I am very solid, even when I'm playing badly. The player who won the world title is gone and I'm a much better player now."

Robertson, who goes top of the Order of Merit ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan, also gave his opinion on the PTC events, adding: "You won't hear me saying many negative things about them because they are important in terms of promoting the game overseas. Of course we would like to be playing for higher prize money, but if they grow into events with sponsors and TV money then we will benefit."

The PTC is a series of 12 short events, with the top 24 on the final Order of Merit going through to the Grand Final in March, providing they have played in at least three domestic events and three overseas. The next tournament is PTC9 in Antwerp, Belgium, from November 10-13.

Results (last 16 onwards)

Last 16
Gerard Greene 2-4 John Higgins
Ryan Day 3-4 Mark Allen
Martin Gould 0-4 Neil Robertson
Dechewat Poomjaeng 1-4 Ben Woollaston
Judd Trump 4-0 Stephen Lee
Ken Doherty 1-4 Alan McManus
Yu Delu 1-4 Stuart Bingham
Barry Hawkins 1-4 Mark Selby

Quarter-finals
John Higgins 3-4 Mark Allen
Neil Robertson 4-0 Ben Woollaston
Judd Trump 4-2 Alan McManus
Stuart Bingham 3-4 Mark Selby

Semi-finals
Mark Allen 3-4 Neil Robertson
Judd Trump 4-1 Mark Selby

Final
Neil Robertson 4-1 Judd Trump

World Qualifiers At English Institute of Sport - Sheffield

The qualifying rounds of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship return to the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield next April.

Once again the Badminton Hall at the Sheffield venue will host many of snooker's greatest names as they strive to earn a place in the final stages at the Crucible.

TICKETS FOR THE QUALIFIERS ARE ON SALE NOW - starting at just £5, representing excellent value to see some of the sport's famous stars and up-and-coming talents.

The draw and format for the qualifiers will not be known until next February, but the qualifiers are likely to feature legends like Steve Davis, Jimmy White and Ken Doherty, as well as rising potters like Jack Lisowski and Anthony McGill. Just 16 players will progress to the Crucible for snooker's greatest tournament, which carries total prize money of £1.1 million.

The qualifying event runs from April 5 to 15, 2012, though the first two days will be held in the World Snooker Academy with no tickets available.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW by calling 0114 256 5567 or visiting www.arenaticketshop.co.uk

Catalano bids for rare double in Woking

MARIA Catalano heads to Woking on Sunday in a bid to land back-to-back titles on the women’s snooker circuit for the first time in five years.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 29-year-old cousin joins a 19-strong field for the UK Championship, the second of six ranking events on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association (WLBSA) tour, at Woking Snooker Centre.

Last month, en route to clinching the Northern Championship at the North East Derbyshire Snooker Centre, Clay Cross, Catalano ended seven-time world champion Reanne Evans’ record 90-match unbeaten run.

World number one Evans will no doubt be fired up to win the UK title for the seventh year on the spin.

Catalano last won back-to-back titles in 2006 when she claimed the Regal Ladies and the Connie Gough National.

Eleven-year-old Woking schoolgirl Jasmine Bolsover, the world number 21 and youngest girl on the tour, makes her first appearance of the season at her home club.

Making her tour debut will be Shaghayegh Sanei, known as Anna, an Iranian international studying at the University of Surrey.

In line with the WLBSA’s new policy, there will be an open draw for the UK Championship.

The WLBSA is grateful to Woking Snooker Centre for providing the venue.

UK Championship (ranking event)
10am, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Woking Snooker Centre
Kingfield Road
Woking
GU22 9AA
Tel: 01483 762754

2011 UK CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRIES

Reanne Evans (Dudley, West Mids )
Maria Catalano (Dudley, West Mids )
Emma Bonney ( Portsmouth )
Katie Henrick ( Bickley , Kent )
Jenny Poulter ( Maidstone )
Chris Sharpe ( Chelmsford )
Suzie Opacic (Brambridge, Hampshire)
Marianne Williams (Smallfield, Surrey )
Gaye Jones (Melksham, Wilts)
Tina Owen-Sevilton ( Taunton )
Natascha Niermann ( Cambridge )
Naomi Clare (Ripley, Derbys )
Maureen Rowland (Wallsend, Tyne & Wear)
Jan Hughes (St Neots, Cambs)
Vicky Carter ( Hemel Hempstead )
Martina Lumsden ( Eastbourne )
Jasmine Bolsover ( Woking )
Jodie Symes ( Swindon )
Shaghayegh (Anna) Sanei ( Iran )

WorldPPA Joins US Bar Table Championships at Grand Sierra

CueSports International (CSI) and Bob Beaulieu, owner of the WorldPPA organization, are proud to announce the WorldPPA Reno Shootout. The WorldPPA event will be held in conjunction with the CSI 19th US Bar Table Championships at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, Nevada. The date for the US Bar Table Championships is February 12-19 and the WorldPPA will take place February 17-19.

The move to the Grand Sierra afforded CSI four times the tournament space than was previously available and the ability to provide more choices for players, such as with the WorldPPA event.

The WorldPPA was established in 2007. Its purpose is to promote billiards, introduce new players to the sport and to organize handicapped tournaments to allow players of all skill levels the opportunity to enjoy competitive play.

While the two events will be held side by side, the WorldPPA will take place on Diamond 9’ tables and be a 9-Ball handicapped event based on the WorldPPA handicap system. Long considered the premier bar table event in the United States, the $25,250 added US Bar Table Championships is a seven day multi-event tournament held on 7’ Diamond tables and attracts players from across the globe.

The event is open to all players. Bad Boys Billiard Productions will direct both events using the CueSports Tournament System (www.ctsondemand.com). CSI will be processing the entries for both the US Bar Table Championships and the WorldPPA Reno Shootout. Players in the Reno Shootout who are not already members of the WorldPPA or have a WorldPPA handicap will be evaluated and assigned a handicap by the WorldPPA organization.

Registration for both the 19th US Bar Table Championships and the WorldPPA Reno Shootout are available online at the CSI CueSports Tournament System (www.ctsondemand.com). You may also enter by submitting your completed entry form via mail or fax to the CSI office. For details and entry information about the 19th US Bar Table Championships and the WorldPPA tournaments visit www.playcsipool.com. Details about the WorldPPA and handicap system can be viewed at www.worldppa.com.

CSI is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. In the past seven years CSI has directly paid out approximately Seven Million Dollars to players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the US Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the US Open One Pocket Championship and the US Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.    

CSI leads the billiard industry in the development of technology. For more information on the state-of-the-art software system for league and tournament management visit www.leaguesys.net and www.ctsondemand.com.    

Thorburn - Shot Clock Won't Bother Me

Former World Champion Cliff Thorburn insists he will be able to cope with the 30-second shot clock at snooker’s Wyldecrest Park Homes World Seniors Championship in Peterborough, which starts a week on Saturday.

Canada's Thorburn, who was nicknamed The Grinder in his hey-day for his rock-solid matchplay skills, joins fellow legends including Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott and Joe Johnson for the tournament at the East of England Showground on November 5 and 6.

The shot clock is new to the 16-man event this year and 1980 Crucible king Thorburn is confident of keeping pace. "Some people called me slow, but if you got all the slow players together then I would be the fastest, none of the others would get near me," joked the 63-year-old.

"I've been practising a fair bit and checking my average shot time, and hopefully I won't have a problem with the shot clock. Sometimes you can be too careful by double or triple checking you are playing the right shot. The first shot you see is the right one, 95 per cent of the time, so under pressure you just have to go for that one. I've got enough experience to see the shot right away and not to be frazzled by the clock."

Several of the players in the line up competing for the £18,000 top prize are still active on the professional tour, including last year's finalists White and Davis. But Thorburn, who retired from the pro game in 1996, still believes he has a chance of success.

"The matches are only best of three frames, and that gives me more of a chance," said the player who made the first 147 maximum break at the Crucible in 1983. "There's no reason why I can't win two frames, and no reason why I can't win more than one match. At least no one is taking money off me! I still have a very competitive instinct and always will.

"I've got Doug Mountjoy in the first round and that will bring back some great memories of matches we had in the 1980s. Last year it was lot of fun to see the other players again, and I was really impressed by the standard."

TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE ON SALE NOW and it promises to be a wonderful weekend of exciting snooker. For details see www.worldsnooker.com/tickets or call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).

Tickets start at just £10 and when you buy a ticket you'll also have the chance to buy a half-price ticket for the Masters in London in January!

The Sport and iGaming Conference

I would like to bring to your attention the Sport and iGaming conference taking place on 23rd November 2011 in Central London.

The Sport and iGaming Conference is the only event in our sector that brings gaming brands, sports rights holders, agencies, professional services and technology providers together to meet, swap ideas, learn best practice and gain fresh insights as we move into 2012.

Topics for discussion at this year's conference include:

    * The last twelve months in the business… and what the future holds
    * iGaming sponsorship success stories
    * The legal perspective on the sector
    * Better campaign activation through technology
    * iGaming marketing and sponsorship – what works, and how to avoid the pitfalls.

Attending the conference will provide you with vital insight and analysis fromleading industry figures, and the opportunity to network and make contacts within the sport and iGaming business communities. You'll also benefit from Exclusive research from a leading research house, this is ONLY available to delegates.

If you’d like to receive the full agenda and the speaker line-up, please email me and I’ll send it to you.

Kind regards,

Shona ODonnell I Head of Operations
iGaming Business & SportBusiness
33-41 Dallington Street
London
EC1V 0BB

Tel: +44 (0)20 7954 3400
email: infoteam (at) sportbusiness.com
www.sportandigaming.com

16th Edition of Money Match TV to Wow the Crowds.

Saturday 29th October see's another very much anticipated edition of Money Match TV.

The 16th edition of this 9-ball pool challenge series will once again feature six matches and twelve of the UK's most up-and-coming 9-ball players.

Cuesport TV, a live streaming company, that have supported the series since its inception in 2010 will be providing live Internet coverage throughout the day and then the recordings will also be made available on-demand at a later date.

As ever there are three sessions of play starting at 11:00, 14:30 and 18:00 (All times are approximate and listed as British Summer Time).

The headline match this month pits current champion, Craig Dixon, against GB9 Challenge Cup winner Shaun Storry in a match that is expected to wow the crowds both inside the venue and watching via the Internet.

About Money Match TV

The series takes some of the hottest 9-ball pool talent in the UK and matches them up in head-to-head matches for a minimum of £1000. Each match is a race-to-21 racks using a winner breaks format and the three point rule. Four of the six matches on the day are 'winner-stays- on' meaning the winner will return next month to face a brand new challenger. The record of 9 consecutive wins is currently held by Arfan Dad.

O'Sullivan Apologises For Comment

Ronnie O'Sullivan has issued a formal apology for using the word 'raped' when describing how he felt about playing in the Players Tour Championship events in a recent interview.

"I'm really sorry if I offended anyone," he said. "I wanted to explain how I felt but I used the wrong word. I didn't realise it would cause any offence. I will be happy to personally apologise to anyone who is offended."

Date: Friday, October 28, 2011

Ding To Face O'Sullivan At The Masters

Ding Junhui will start the defence of his Masters title against Ronnie O'Sullivan at Alexandra Palace in January.

China's Ding won snooker's most prestigious invitation title for the first time last season by beating Marco Fu in the final. And he's been handed a tough opening match this time against four-times Masters winner and crowd favourite O'Sullivan.

It's the opening match of the tournament on Sunday January 15 at 1.30pm, and it will be a repeat of the 2007 final, which O'Sullivan won 10-3.

There are several other outstanding ties in the first round. World Champion John Higgins is up against 2000 Masters king Matthew Stevens, while Aussie Neil Robertson faces Mark Allen. The full first round draw is below and the format is on www.worldsnooker.com

TICKETS FOR THE TOURNAMENT ARE ON SALE NOW! It's the first time the Masters has been staged at Ally Pally, so fans are urged to come to see the best players in the world and create a new chapter in the rich history of this fantastic event. The tournament runs from January 15 to 22.

To book call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets
Look out for a special offer on evening tickets coming soon at www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

There are also some exceptional hospitality packages up for grabs, the perfect gift for friends or family or a great way to entertain clients. For details call 01277 359925.

First round draw
Ding Junhui v Ronnie O'Sullivan
Judd Trump v Stuart Bingham
Neil Robertson v Mark Allen
Mark Williams v Stephen Maguire
Mark Selby v Stephen Lee
Shaun Murphy v Martin Gould
Ali Carter v Graeme Dott
John Higgins v Matthew Stevens

The two Fishers both overcame the odds on favorite Chinese to reach the finals for England

Allison Fisher Dominates China

Haining, China-    15 times World Champion Allison Fisher finally snapped off her first win in China at the 2011 Haining Cup. She defeated friend and fellow top Brit Kelly Fisher. The event hosted all the top stars of China including World 9-Ball winner Bi Zu Qing, Fu Xiaofang, and the sensational Chen Siming. Foreign stars such as Ga Young Kim and Yu Ram Cha also participated.

Allison crushed the field including wins over recent World 9-Ball Champ Bi Zhuqing(CHN), demolished former World Champ Liu ShaSha(CHN), and devastated Tsai Pei Chen 9-2 in the semi-finals. On the other side, Bi Zhuqing crushed Korea's Yu Ram Cha, before succumbing to Allison. Kelly Fisher overwhelmed everyone in a surprising 9-2 win over Siming Chen.

In the finals, Kelly Fisher took on Allison Fisher in their 5th match play in the past 12 months. Allison had won the previous four meetings. Kelly took the lead at 4-2, but then it was all Allison as she won the next 7 of 9 games to win the tournament 9-5. This was Allison's 3rd finals in China in little over a year, but her first triumph in the finals.

"I've been close both times before at the World 9-Ball and the China Open, but this is really important for me to win finally here. Kelly and I were delighted to have done so well to get to the finals, though at times our match was shaky," said Fisher. Allison is sponsored by Star Tables, a top table manufacturer in China.

Between both Fishers, they eliminated almost all the top China bets in the event, proving that Western women's pool still has alot of bite. And more importantly for Allison Fisher, that after over two decades of play, she is still a deadly force to be reckon with.

"In today's women's pool, the competition is by far stiffer than ever in history by a landslide. In modern times the Taiwanese dominated, the Koreans had their moments, and now China. And still Allison , the sport's most decorated veteran still competing, comes out on top. Three finals in China of all places in 12 months? It's incredible how she always still rises to the top", said Charlie Williams, Allison Fisher's coach and manager through Dragon Promotions. He adds, "There's no doubt, she is still a top,top contender even today. Players still fear the Duchess of Doom."

Fisher flies to Manila, Philippines tomorrow along with her fellow top pro women for the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship. For Allison, it's good timing with a nice momentum built from China.



Allison Fisher has been sought after for shows,sponsorships and speaking engagements. She is also an experienced commentator and sports analyst for television including shows on ESPN, ESPN Star Asia, and ABS-CBN. Fisher has instructed in pool schools, clinics, and given private lessons. For information on booking Ms.Fisher please contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978 or e-mail dpsportsmanagement@yahoo.com . More complete info on Allison can be found at www.AllisonFisher.com where you can join her fan club and receive her latest news and appearance calendar info. Dragon Promotions is one of the leading producers of billiard programming in the world today. In a span of over 10 years, Dragon Promotions has produced over 100 international events airing on networks worldwide. DP also represents an elite class of champion players. www.DragonPromotions.com and join DP Facebook at www.facebook.com/dragonpromotionsnews

PBB FACE OFF SERIES AT AIRPORT PAGCOR CASINO: ORCOLLO IS READY FOR WAR AGAINST SOUQUET
by Marlon Bernardino

WORLD NO.1 and World 8-ball Champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo insists he is ready for war when he goes up against World Pool Masters ruler Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series kicks off on November 5, Saturday at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.

"I have to train hard for this fight, to give my best, and to give a good show," said Orcollo, top player of Bugsy Promotions who lost to Souquet, 8-5, in the World Pool Masters finals last month in Manila.

"Magandang training na din ito sa nalalapit na SEA Games sa Indonesia sa 2nd week ng November," added Orcollo, a former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

Souquet, former world 8-ball and 9-ball champion, will be arriving on November 2 in time for a press conference at the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines headquarters in Quezon City.

"I will do my very best," said Souquet.

The PBB Face Off is a joint undertaking of Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp in close cooperation with PAGCOR, PCSO, ACCEL, Diamond Table, Predator cues, Simonis cloth, San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen, Malungai Life Oil, I-Bar, Human Plus Probiotics, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Hermes Sports, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) with the Philippine Star as the official media partner.

A race-to-9 10-ball affair, the Face Off is set to give Philippine billiards another milestone as the first to be aired worldwide through the Internet at www.megasportsworld.com and Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34 every Saturday.

The Orcollo-Souquet match will usher in a series of challenge matches being put up by Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp.

Other matches pitted Carlo Biado vs Souquet (Nov.12), Ronato Alcano vs Daryl Peach of Great Britain (Nov.19) and Francisco "Django" Bustamante vs Peach (Nov.26).

Evans: back to basics and back to winning ways

REANNE Evans returned to winning ways on the women’s snooker circuit after a hard-fought battle with Portsmouth ’s Emma Bonney in the UK Championship final.

Two days after her 26th birthday, the seven-time world champion ground out a 3-2 victory from 2-1 down at Woking Snooker Centre.

Evans admitted she was forced to go “back to basics” to overcome six-time world billiards champion Bonney and claim her seventh straight UK title.

“I didn’t play very well at all,” she said. “It went really scrappy.

“Emma potted well. In the decider she went a bit negative and it left me a couple of chances.

“I couldn’t pot a ball so I went back to basics.”

And the world number one, whose record 90-match unbeaten run on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association (WLBSA) circuit was ended last month by Maria Catalano, declared: “A win is a win!”

Bonney, 35, who had an opportunity at 2-1 to secure the match, defeated eight-time German national champion Natascha Niermann 3-1 in the last-four.

The second semi pitched Evans, no great lover of this season’s open-draw format, against Catalano.

But there was to be no repeat of the shock result at the Northern Championship between the friends from Dudley, West Midlands . Evans ran out a 3-0 winner.

Evans, never in full flow all day, “didn’t know how” she recorded the top break of 80 against Gaye Jones (Melksham, Wilts) in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Maidstone ’s Jenny Poulter won her second Seniors (over-40) title of the season. Former England international Marianne Williams (Smallfield, Surrey) collected the Plate trophy. And Vicky Carter ( Hemel Hempstead) triumphed in the Shield (under-40).

World number four Katie Henrick ( Bickley , Kent ) and former world number six Suzie Opacic (Hampshire) both lost in the last-16 on their return to the circuit.

Making her WLBSA debut was Shaghayegh Sanei, known as Anna, an Iranian international studying at the University of Surrey . Sanei was knocked out in the preliminary round.

RESULTS (BREAKS)

PRELIM: Marianne Williams beat Shaghayegh Sanei 3-0, Martina Lumsden w/o Jodie Symes.

LAST-16: Natascha Niermann beat Williams 3-0, Jasmine Bolsover w/o Chris Sharpe, Jenny Poulter beat Naomi Clare 3-0, Emma Bonney    beat Katie Henrick 3-0, Reanne Evans beat Jan Hughes 3-0, Gaye Jones beat Maureen Rowland 3-0, Vicky Carter (36) beat Suzie Opacic (32) 3-0, Maria Catalano (30) beat Lumsden 3-1.

QUARTER-FINALS: Niermann beat Bolsover 3-1, Bonney (44) beat Poulter 3-0, Evans (80) beat Jones 3-0, Catalano (32) beat Carter 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS (£35): Bonney (59) beat Niermann 3-1, Evans beat Catalano 3-0.

FINAL (£105/£70): Evans beat Bonney 3-2.

SENIORS (40+)
FINAL: Jenny Poulter beat Maureen Rowland 2-0.

PLATE
QUARTER-FINALS: Jan Hughes beat Suzie Opacic 2-1, Shaghayegh Sanei beat Naomi Clare 2-0, Martina Lumsden beat Maureen Rowland 2-0, Marianne Williams bye.

SEMI-FINALS: Hughes beat Sanei 2-0, Williams beat Lumsden 2-1.

FINAL (£15/£10): Williams beat Hughes 2-0.

SHIELD (UNDER-40)
SEMI-FINALS: Vicky Carter beat Naomi Clare 1-0, Suzie Opacic beat Jasmine Bolsover 1-0.

FINAL: Carter beat Opacic 2-0.

2011 UK CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRIES
Reanne Evans (Dudley, West Mids )
Maria Catalano (Dudley, West Mids )
Emma Bonney ( Portsmouth )
Katie Henrick ( Bickley , Kent )
Jenny Poulter ( Maidstone )
Suzie Opacic (Brambridge, Hampshire)
Marianne Williams (Smallfield, Surrey )
Gaye Jones (Melksham, Wilts)
Natascha Niermann ( Cambridge )
Naomi Clare (Ripley, Derbys )
Maureen Rowland (Wallsend, Tyne & Wear)
Jan Hughes (St Neots, Cambs)
Vicky Carter ( Hemel Hempstead )
Martina Lumsden ( Eastbourne )
Jasmine Bolsover ( Woking )
Shaghayegh (Anna) Sanei ( Iran )

NEXT WLBSA TOURNAMENT

East Anglian Championship
(Sponsored by Pot Black Sports Bar)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Pot Black Sports Bar
Eastgate Street
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 1YQ
Tel: 01284 704231

CORTEZA WINS SMB OKTOBERFEST 9-BALL OPEN: POCKETS P350,000
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FORMER National Open champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza ruled the 2011 San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest Festival 9-ball Open Masters category at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, late Sunday.

The top player of Negros Billiards Stable and JSY Sports, Corteza defeated world no.1 and world 8-ball champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, 11-8, in the finals to bag the top prize of P350,000 plus SMB mug trophy. The former two-time SMB 9-ball open champion Orcollo settled P100,000.

Corteza, whose stint here backed up by Energen and Kopiko made the finals by beating ex-world pool champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 9-4, in the semifinals while Orcollo advanced by edging hall of famer Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-8.

“I would like to thank Sir Jonathan Sy and coach Christopher Palses for always helping me in my local and international tournaments alongside Kopiko and Energen,” said the Davao City native Corteza, whose next tournament is the Japan Open on November 16 in Osaka.

Earlier, Corteza, playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Jonathan "Bacolod" Sy, nipped former WPA 9-ball and 8-ball champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, 9-5, in the round-of-16, and 2006 Sydney World Junior quarter-finalists Renemar "Revo" David, 9-7, in the round-of-8, while Orcollo ousted Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 9-1, and Jundel "Jano" Mazon, 9-6, respectively.

In the race-to-11, alternate break finals, the former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur Orcollo jumped to a big 3-1 lead before Corteza tied the score at 3-all in the 6th racks after winning two straight racks. The two Filipino hottest player today tied the match at 4-all count after exchanging racks. Corteza won two consecutive racks for a 6-4 lead. Actually, Orcollo had a chance to tied the match at 5-all count in the 10th racks but failed to sank no.8 ball. From there, Corteza never looked back. He won five of the next nine racks for the runaway victory.

"Turning point ko yung pagsablay ni Dennis sa medyo delikadong shot sa 8-ball sa 10th racks kaya nakalamang ako ng dalawang racks." said Corteza, a many-time Southeast Asian Games gold medallist.

NBS president Jonathan Sy lauded Corteza’s latest feat. " I’m really happy for him. Hope next year mag world champion na si Lee Vann" he added.

Meanwhile, Jomel "Porkchop" Sultan defeated fellow NBS stalwart Ruben Cuna, 9-8, in the grand finals of winner take all Open regional category to enroute P50,000 plus SMB mug trophy.

The San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest Festival 9-ball Open Masters category also participated by country's women top player Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit, Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, Ricky" Bai" Zerna, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco, Gandy Valle among others in the Puyat Sports organized event backed up by San Miguel Beer, Negros Billiards Stable, Bugsy Promotions and Resorts World Manila.The matches aired live streaming on www.sanmiguelbeer.com.ph. Tournament director is Ish Caparras of Puyat Sports.


Awarding photo: Tournament director Ish Caparras of Puyat Sports, NBS bet Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza and two official from SMB (Bob Guerrero)

JASMIN OUSCHAN DEFEND WOMEN'S WORLD 10-BALL TITLE TODAY
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

REIGNING World Women’s Ten Ball Champion Jasmin Ouschan of Austria will begin his bid to retain his title when the 2011 Yalin World Women’s 10-Ball Championship gets underway today, Wednesday at the Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas.

Ouschan, a crowd darling in several years of campaigning in the country, will defend his crown against 48 of the world’s greatest women's players, including inaugural champion Rubilen "Bingkay"Amit of the Philippines and Ga Young Kim, Yu Ram Cha and Erica Park of Korea, Allison and Kelly Fisher of England, Siming Chen and Xiaofang Fu of China.

" I live to defend my title of course. But coming to an event as the defending champion is never easy. There is extra pressure on my shoulders but pressure is a privilege and that is how I see it. I will do my best and have a good time on the table and what happens happens," says the ultra popular Ouschan. Her fan base in Philippines has sky rocketed since her win here. "But first it is about playing game and feeling good on the table. "

What's special about 10-Ball?

"Well first of all it is my first world champion title and I know how hard we(her coach Michael Neumann) worked for this title. Also I love 10-Ball cause with this new discipline we finally have a discipline where the luck factor is not as high as in others. And I also won this title in the Philippines where I have so many fans that have supported me throughout the years. All that makes it very special and important. "

And your feeling if you successfully defend your title with a win again?

"I have no idea. It would be amazing, and I would probably need some time to realize it. But I also know that this year was not easy and right now I am just thinking of the first match I have to play."

On Amit part: "I will do my very best for flag and country," added the country's top women's player.

Tornado Tony Hopes To Blow Away Davis

Quickfire potter Tony Drago is confident of success at snooker’s Wyldecrest Parks World Seniors Championship in Peterborough this weekend, but will first have to beat the player he describes as his inspiration.

The tournament on Saturday and Sunday at the East of England Showground will see the likes of Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Cliff Thorburn, Joe Johnson and John Parrott trying to take the title from Jimmy White.

Malta's Drago faces Davis in the opening match of the Sky-televised event on Saturday at 1pm. "I've always been inspired by Steve - if you are feeling old then you look at him and realise you've still got time in the game," said the player nicknamed the Tornado. "He's 54 and still going strong on the pro tour. He still hits the ball beautifully and had a great run to the semi-finals of a PTC event recently.

"I'm 46 now and able to play in the Seniors, which is strange because I remember the day I turned pro in 1985 like it was yesterday. Nearly 27 years later I'm still here and set to play against the guy I've been competing against for three decades."

Despite his natural speed around the table, World No 51 Drago does not feel that the 30-second shot clock gives him an advantage. "Maybe if it was 15 seconds it would be good for me, but 30 is enough for everyone," said the player who once made a century break in a record 210 seconds. "The matches are only best of three frames so you have to be on your guard from the start.

"I'm really looking forward to it because I've been practising with Jimmy White and he's been telling me what great fun it was last year. I feel I've got a chance of a long run. My form has been good this season although my results haven't matched how well I have played."

TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE ON SALE NOW and it promises to be a wonderful weekend of exciting snooker. For details call 0871 620 7052 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras) or visit www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

Tickets start at just £10 and when you buy a ticket you'll also have the chance to buy a half-price ticket for the Masters in London in January!

Drago's quote on Steve Davis made me chuckle..

"I've always been inspired by Steve - if you are feeling old then you look at him and realise you've still got time in the game,"