WORTHINGTON’S NEWPORT POOL OPEN
For immediate release
Monday, September 3rd, 2007
SECOND ROUND POOL DRAW
SETS UP ENTICING ENCOUNTERS
Collins, Perkins and Wittingham book places in last 16
NEWPORT (Shropshire): The draw for the second round of the 2007 Worthington’s Newport Pool Open has thrown up some potentially explosive clashes, with Tavern landlord Dave Wilkinson set for a showdown with Hinstock’s Colin Pink on his home table.
Other meaty ties include a potential banana skin visit to the King’s Head for Audco’s John Williams to take on Matt Collins and an all-King’s Head clash between Rob Bowsher and Ian Perry. Controversial window cleaner Steve Garmson faces top tip Andy Lycett at the Tavern, Neil Perkins faces league team mate Neil ‘Hurricane’ Hazeley and Irene Wittingham will play Trevor Smith.
Ben Longstaff was the form player in round one and is yet to drop a frame in either the singles or doubles competitions. He faces last year’s beaten finalist Ray Talbot in the singles and teams up with young Greg Heathcote to take on dark horses Neil Cartright and Ian Fearnley in the doubles.
“When Ray gets into the groove he takes some beating,” admitted Longstaff. “I think the way to beat him is to slow the game to my pace and take the heat out of his play.”
Three first round doubles matches have yet to be played, but last year’s Newport Open champion Paul Trevor and partner John Williams will host Ian and Rob Perry at the Audco, the winners knowing full well that success will guarantee them a place in the coveted semi-finals and finals’ night at the Audco Sports and Social Club on Tuesday, October 16th.
In the last of the first round singles’ matches, Matt Collins managed to overcome the Junction Inn’s M. Ashforth in four frames after a tight encounter at the King’s Head and there was also success for Irene Wittingham at the same venue that evening in the last of the first round matches.
Her game against Edd Keenan had been delayed because of a foreign holiday, but the only female in the competition was in excellent form and managed to overcome Keenan’s aggressive challenge in four frames to enter the last 16. “I had a stinker,” groaned Keenen, who had the consolation of a second round doubles match with partner Mick Collins to focus on.
Neil Perkins beat an out-of-sorts Terry Taylor in three straight frames. The first frame was a messy affair, until Perkins completed a four-ball clearance to take the lead.
The Tavern player was again on top in frame two and when his Junction opponent missed a crucial pot on his second colour and left the black in play, Perkins made it two nil. Safety play was the order of the day in frame three, but Taylor went in-off once too often and Perkins managed to clear the table to clinch his place in the last 16.
Remaining first round matches must be played as soon as possible and all second round matches must be completed by September 30th. Winners must send notification of the result by text message to 07831 123153, clearly stating the match score and players’ names.
1st round scores – week 5
Singles
Ed Keenen (King’s Head) lost to Irene Wittingham (King’s Head), 1-3
Neil Perkins (Tavern) beat Terry Taylor (Junction Inn), 3-0.
Matt Collins (King’s Head) beat M. Ashforth (Junction Inn), 3-1
Second round draws
Singles
Ben Longstaff (Tavern) v Ray Talbot (Tavern)
Russ Woodhouse (Tavern) v Robert Perry (King’s Head) or K. Warrington (Sutherland Muxton)
Neil Perkins (Tavern) v Neil Hazeley (LSC)
Matt Collins (King’s Head) v John Williams (Audco)
Andy Lycett (Tavern) v Steve Garmson (Tavern)
Dave Wilkinson (Tavern) v Colin Pink (Tavern)
Irene Wittingham (King’s Head) v Trevor Smith (Tavern)
Andy Bowsher (King’s Head) v Ian Perry (King’s Head)
Doubles
Greg Heathcote/Ben Longstaff (Tavern) v Neil Cartright/Ian Fearnley (Tavern)
Paul Trevor/John Williams (Audco) v Robert Perry/Ian Perry (King’s Head)
Stewart Adams/Andy Dean (Tavern) or Terry Taylor/G. Taylor (Junction Inn) v Colin Pink/Jimmy Kelly (Tavern) or Dave Price/Neil Hazeley (LSC)
Mick Collins/Ed Keenan (King’s Head) v Anthony Heathcote/Andy Lycett (Audco) or M. Ashforth/J. Owen (Junction Inn)
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Tel: 07831 123153
www.ndp-publicity.com