2011 CARLING NEWPORT POOL OPEN
For immediate release
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
DODD OVERCOMES LOCAL HOSTILITY TO BOOK
LAST EIGHT NEWPORT POOL OPEN SPOT
NEWPORT (Shropshire): Tibberton’s Wayne Dodd overcame a cauldron-style atmosphere to beat Newport’s Greg Heathcote in four frames at a hostile Railway Tavern. The former England player was never able to settle, after constant heckling from onlookers, but he held his nerve to take the first two frames before Heathcote snatched one back.
Dodd benefited from a little run of the balls at times but he looked sharper and more determined that his young opponent and seized his chance better in the last frame to clinch a quarter-final place.
Stafford fishery owner Neil Dale struggled to overcome young Luke Jones in a scrappy four-frame affair at the Railway Tavern on Monday night. After Dale had fouled, Jones missed an easy black to take a 1-0 lead and was punished for his error. He managed to snatch the second frame to level the scores, but looked nervous at times as Dale edged across the line to take the next two frames and seal a quarterfinal berth.
Shakespeare league player Ben Holmes started well in his match against tournament organiser Neil Perkins and had a chance to clear the black in frame one, but he jawed the pot and Perkins cleared his remaining red and black to snatch an unlikely lead. He doubled that advantage in a quick-fire frame two and had a comfortable opportunity to see out the match when Holmes handed him two shots with three reds remaining in rack three. But Perkins went slightly out of position, snookered himself and Holmes stepped in to make a useful clearance and snatch a frame back.
The Shakespeare player found himself in a superb position early in frame four as well, but he handed two shots to Perkins who managed to clear a couple of opposing balls from the pockets. The rest of the frame was nip and tuck, with Perkins making a useful three ball clearance into the middle pocket to seal a quarterfinal showdown with tournament favourite Colin Pink next Tuesday night.
Ian Roberts elected to play his ‘home’ doubles game at the King’s Head fortress of Mick Collins and Ed Keenan rather than interfere with a match that had been booked on the table – much to the bemusement of his partner Steve Morrey – and the decision back-fired on the Tavern landlord.
He and Morrey never got into gear at all and Collins and Keenan steam-rollered their way into the quarterfinals in less than half an hour. But their delight was short-lived as well: they faced the defending champions Colin Pink and Mick Manning soon afterwards and were knocked out in four frames by the Hinstock and Market Drayton duo, bidding for their third doubles title.
Results should be sent by text message to 07831 123153 with the names of both players and the score clearly stated. All outstanding matches should be played by October 3rd.
2011 Carling Newport Singles’ Open
3rd round results
Luke Jones (Wheatsheaf) lost to Neil Dale (Stafford), 1-3
Greg Heathcote (Tavern) lost to Wayne Dodd (Sutherland Arms), 1-3
Neil Perkins (King’s Head) beat Ben Holmes (Shake), 3-1
Quarterfinal draw
Russ Woodhouse (Tavern) or Ian Perry (King’s Head) v Will Edge (Stafford)
Neil Perkins (Tavern) v Colin Pink (Hinstock)
Neil Dale (Stafford) v Wayne Dodd (Sutherland Arms)
Antony Heathcote (Tavern) v Robert Perry (King’s Head)
2011 Worthington’s Newport Doubles Open
2nd round result
Ian Roberts/Steve Morrey (Tavern) lost to Mick Collins/Ed Keenan (King’s Head), 0-3
Quarter-final result
Mick Collins/Ed Keenan (King’s Head) lost to Mick Manning/Colin Pink (Market Drayton), 1-3
Semi-final draw
Mick Manning/Colin Pink (Market Drayton) v Chris Broomfield/Will Edge (Stafford)
Andy Potter/Dave Marshall (Shake) or Irene Whittington/Phil Emery (King’s Head) v Tom Fisken/Warren Lewis (Sutherland Arms) or Ross Goodchild/Graham Tigwell (King’s Head)
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