2008 COORS NEWPORT POOL OPEN
For immediate release
Friday, August 29th, 2008
WILLIAMS AND HEATHCOTE ON AN OPEN ROLL
NEWPORT (Shropshire): John Williams and Greg Heathcote booked their places in the last 16 of the 2008 Coors Newport Pool Open, with four-frame victories over Andy Dean and Irene Whittington, while Navigation landlord was granted a walk-over win against Steve Garmson.
But the drama unfolded in the Worthington’s Doubles competition, where the tie of the week involved the Audco’s Paul Trevor and John Williams, against Tavern landlord Dave Wilkinson and the 2006 beaten singles’ finalist Ray Talbot.
The Tavern duo started the better of the two sides and Wilkinson fired two excellent doubles and the black to seal the first frame. Frame two was a no-nonsense safety affair and the visitors emerged on top again to stun the small crowd assembled at Bellman’s Yard. Wilkinson used two shots to full advantage to clear six colours and the black.
With pressure mounting, Williams and Trevor were given no option but to dig deep and leave nothing to chance. But they were clearly struggling and, when Trevor missed a pot to seal the frame, Wilkinson was left a clearance for the match. He potted three balls and the black dropped below the baize to signal a 3-0 win.
But the Tavern duo hadn’t accounted for a speeding white ball and could only watch as the white disappeared, gifted the frame to the Audco side and handed them a vital lifeline. It was a different Audco side in frame four and Trevor and Williams played some masterful shots, with a useful clearance levelling the match at 2-2.
The final frame was a scrappy affair, but the Audco duo were always on top and a small potting mistake by Talbot led to a series of snookers and Trevor was able to close out the match and book his place in the quarter-finals after an epic encounter.
Young Jack Jones and Jack Dicken managed to coast past the Junction’s John Owen and Mick Ashforth to book their places in the last eight. Meanwhile, Ben Longstaff and Greg Heathcote cruised past the shell-shocked Anthony Cox and Peter Dickinson in less than 20 minutes at the Navigation.
The pick of the ties in the third round draw is a meeting between Anthony Heathcote and Longstaff at the Audco, although all the top seeds managed to avoid each other.
Reigning champion Colin Pink faces a tricky visit to the Junction to play Ian Mason and last year’s beaten finalist Andy Lycett entertains Jim Kelly at the Audco.
Match results should be sent by text message to 07831 123153, clearly stating the names of players and the score.
Results – singles
John Williams beat Andy Dean, 3-1
Steve Whitlock beat Steve Garmson, W/O
Irene Whittington (King’s Head) lost to Greg Heathcote (Audco), 1-3
Results – doubles
John Owen/Mick Ashforth lost to Jack Jones/Jack Dicken, 0-3
Paul Trevor/John Williams beat Dave Wilkinson/Ray Talbot 3-2
Anthony Cox/Peter Dickinson lost to Ben Longstaff/Greg Heathcote, 0-3
2008 Coors Newport Pool Open – Singles – 3rd round draw
Ian Mason (Junction) v Colin Pink (Audco)
Mick Collins (King’s Head) v Luke Hayward (Sutherland Muxton) or Sam Higgins (King’s Head)
Stuart Morrey (Tavern) or Neil Hazeley (LSC) v Keith Rogers (Junction)
Ben Longstaff (King’s Head) v Anthony Heathcote (Audco)
Greg Heathcote (Audco) v Ed Keenan (King’s Head)
Steve Whitlock (Navigation) v Ian Perry (King’s Head) or Anthony Winfield (Tavern)
John Williams (Audco) v Bob Perry (King’s Head) or Aaron Brotherton (Tavern)
Andy Lycett (Audco) v Jim Kelly (Audco)
2008 Worthington’s Newport Doubles Open – quarter-final draw
Jack Jones/Jack Dicken (Audco) v Ben Longstaff/Greg Heathcote (Audco)
Anthony Heathcote/Andy Lycett (Audco) v Kim Worrall/Charlie Hayward (Sutherland Muxton)
Paul Trevor/John Williams (Audco) v Ed Keenan/Mick Collins (King’s Head) or Matt Hestor/Ben Clews (Shakespeare)
Ian Perry/Bob Perry (King’s Head) v Stu Morrey/Wayne Morrey (Tavern)
All ties to be played by Friday, September 26th.
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Tel: 07831 123153
www.ndp-publicity.com