2011 CARLING NEWPORT POOL OPEN
For immediate release
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
HEATHCOTE PREVAILS AGAINST COLLINS
IN FORMER POOL CHAMPIONS’ BATTLE
NEWPORT (Shropshire): The 2008 Carling Newport Open champion Antony Heathcote knocked the defending champion Mick Collins out of this year’s competition in four frames at the Railway Tavern last Thursday night.
Heathcote had received some bad news on the work front earlier in the day and laid down the gauntlet from the start to snatch the opening frame after Collins had begun well. The Legion league player then missed a crucial yellow into the corner to set him on his way to a 2-0 lead and Collins held his nerve to seal a tricky black to level the match.
From then on, Collins was always on the back foot. Heathcote manufactured some excellent safety play and was always in command in frame three. The fourth rack was a tense affair with excellent snooker play from both players, but Collins gave his opponent two shots and Heathcote cleared his remaining five balls without the need for his second penalty shot.
“No regrets,” said defending champion Collins. “Ant took his chances and played very well. I didn’t play badly so there was not a lot more I could do.”
“This win has given me massive confidence for the rest of the tournament,” said a delighted Heathcote.
Hinstock’s Colin Pink marched into the quarterfinals at the expense of Ed Keenan. Pink snatched the first two frames and then missed a relatively simple black to seal the match in straight frames. Keenan managed to pull the frame back, but Pink regrouped in frame four to coast into the last eight.
Young Robert Perry shattered Irene Whittington’s distant dream of claiming the treble. Perry bulldozed his way into the last 16 with some excellent play to win the match in three straight frames. Dave Marshall was left to rue several missed chances against Stafford’s Will Edge, who beat the Newport cue in four frames.
Edge and Warrington-based partner Chris Broomfield also reached the semi-finals of the Worthington’s Newport Doubles Open, after defeating Ant Heathcote and Mick Beech in five frames at the NRBL.
Irene Whittington reached her second successive Newport Women’s Open final. The defending champion was made to sweat by an inspired Lorna McPhee. The match went to a decider after some decidedly shaky play by the champion and Whittington looked doomed to failure in the tie-breaker until McPhee potted the black and fouled at the same time to hand Whittington her passage into next month’s final.
Results should be sent by text message to 07831 123153 with the names of both players and the score clearly stated. Outstanding matches should be played by Tuesday, September 27th.
2011 Carling Newport Singles’ Open
3rd round results
Irene Whittington (King’s Head) lost to Bob Perry (King’s Head), 0-3
Antony Heathcote (Tavern) beat Mick Collins (King’s Head), 3-1
Ed Keenan (King’s Head) lost to Colin Pink (Hinstock), 1-3
Dave Marshall (Shake) lost to Will Edge (Stafford), 1-3
2011 Worthington’s Newport Doubles Open
Quarter-final result
Mick Beech/Ant Heathcote (NRBL) lost to Chris Broomfield/Will Edge (Stafford), 2-3
2011 Newport Women's Open
Semi-final result
Irene Whittington (King's Head) beat Lorna McPhee (King’s Head), 3-2
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Tel: 07831 123153
www.ndp-publicity.com
Facebook group: 2010-2011 Newport Pool League and Newport Pool Open