23rd March 2003
MAILING LIST FOR MINING SNOOKER REPORTS
We now have a mailing list for Mining Snooker reports. I usually
complete this report sometime on Sunday each week, so if you are
interested, please e-mail me using the button below. Please note that I
cannot guarantee to fulfil this every week, so you may still need to visit
the site on occasions. I hope you will continue to do so anyway! Sign on
for the rest of the season, which started in September!
E-mail your mailing list request
Clinton SC A look to mean business in the Mining
League in 2002-2003, and are undefeated up to Xmas and beyond. They took
the title in 2001 with a fantastic 6-0 victory over great rivals in recent
years, Redruth RBL A. Godolphin A could only win 4-2 at Leedstown, so just
failed to make it a hat-trick of titles. Godolphin A, however, were not to
be denied and cruised to the title in 2002, leaving Clinton A to beat
Redruth RBL A in a play-off for second place. This season, however, having
lost Paul Williams to his own club, Bell's Court, they have already lost
three times, to Clinton A (twice) and Redruth RBL A.
For news of the current season, see the Mining
Snooker Report. See also the League Tables.
REDRUTH RBL ARE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE!
Under
the guidance of Sports Secretary, Paul Broad, Redruth RBL are aiming to
nurture their own talent for the future. They recently introduced a
coaching scheme for young players, and have a good number of promising
youngsters. The boys receive regular coaching on Sunday mornings from Paul
and Steve Downing, and some are already playing in League matches. They
are shown here in their new kit, sponsored by Stop N Shop Video. Four of
them recently played at Four Lanes, and gave a good account of themselves
against some experienced 'old hands'. Recently 15 year old Marc Isaacs and
13 year old Jamie Reed have been playing well, winning nine frames between
them in Division 3. Jamie has made a 53 break in practice and looks a good
prospect.
RYAN MAKES FIRST TWO CENTURIES!
16
year old Ryan Curnow (Redruth RBL) made his first century, a break of 102
in practice recently. His previous highest was 87. They're all getting in
on the act at RBL! Sorry the picture's a bit old! He has since made a
second century, excactly 100, and is doing very well in Division 1 this
season, having won his last twelve frames. He also beat Barrie McIntosh
recently in a County Youth match. His brother, Nathan, 14, is also playing
in Division 3.
STEVE MAKES A 147 AND ALSO HOLDS TWO HIGH BREAKS!
Steve
Downing, who recently moved to Cornwall and now plays for Redruth RBL A,
made a 147 break in practice on 17th October 2002, and is pictured here
with the set of reds (and a few extras!) that he used to make the break.
Probably only Gary Bray (around 20 times) has achieved this feat amongst
Cornish players. Steve also recently beat the reigning County Champion,
Richard Lloyd 3-2 (Steve 81 break, Richard Lloyd 79) in the first round of
the County Championship, and is a strong tip to take the title this
season. Steve has also made the highest break so far in Division 1, with a
clearance of 95, and a 100 break in the Cornwall Premier league.
JUSTIN EXCELS AT PONTIN'S!
Godolphin Club player Justin Watters went to the Pontin's Pro-Am Tournament at Prestatyn in 2001 with a few Cornish snooker players, and despite not having picked up a cue for weeks, exceeded his wildest dreams. From a field of over 500 starters, he reached the last 32, beating Welsh Professional Darren Morgan 3-0 on the way. He eventually lost to the overall winner of the tournament, Luke Simmons, who is one of the world's leading amateur players.
I
went up to the British Open in Plymouth in October 2000, and it was great to
see Jimmy White reach the Final, even though he lost 9-6 to Peter Ebdon, who
was also enjoying a resurgence in form. While there, I met Janie Watkins,
who runs the Global Snooker
Centre, and a host of other snooker activities. It was great to meet
someone who has been an internet 'friend' for quite a long time! Here we are
(I'm not 80 years old really!) looking at the
TSN Snooker facilities being offered
to visitors. It was a great site, well worth a visit, with live online
tournament scores and even live video of matches! They were giving away nice
snooker cloths and mouse mats, too, and I even got an engraved pen. TSN has
since become 110sport.com. I hope to go to our nearest tournament, the
European Open at Torquay, in March 2003.I thought it was about time to update this piece regularly, and I've finally got five minutes free time! Some of the links below are a bit out of date, but might still be worth a read.
Godolphin & District League Website
Cornwall County Association Website
Paul Williams' second 141 break!
Exhibitions by Matt Stevens and Paul Hunter
Mining League 2001-2002
If you read my piece about the Mining League, the season was recently completed. The first League Meeting was on August 10th, when the League was formed. To read about the 2002-3 season, go to the Mining League Snooker Report.
The fixturing was done and fixtures sent out. By hand it used to take about a week, now it can be comfortably achieved in half a day, with no writer's cramp. Just imagine, having to write out every fixture (26 x 14 x 3 teams) just so someone else can type them! If I did the typing myself it would take even longer!
There were three divisions, with
Division 1 increased to 14 teams, and Divisions 2 and 3 comprising 13 and
14 teams each. Division 1 (starting on 25th September) included promoted
Playing Place and Redruth RBL B. Godolphin A were ultra consistent and at
one point were averaging almost five points out of six. With Clinton A and
Redruth RBL A slipping up on more than one occasion, Godolphin virtually
had the title wrapped up with weeks to go. Clinton A and Redruth RBL A
played off for the runners-up spot, with Clinton A winning 4-0.
Pool and Four Lanes A were promoted from Division 2, with Redruth
British Rail and Four Lanes B relegated. Camborne Conservative A and
Playing Place won promotion from Division 3.
The Mining Presentation Evening again took the form of a dinner at
the Lowenac Hotel, Camborne.
There were about 80 diners and a number of others who came to pick up
trophies. Here is Christian Murray with the trophies won by Four Lanes -
yes, we did win some - runners-up in Division 2, runners-up in the John
Knights pairs (John Fisher and Jason Kempthorne) and runner-up in the
Russell Grigg (yours truly)!
For last
season's Mining Tables, click here.
For comprehensive news of the season click
here.
Recently a simplified 'miss
rule' was implemented in Divisions 1 and 2, with Division 3 simply
adopting the clause about missing a ball on which can be contacted direct.
And the best of luck to all referees! I suggest you bring a video camera.
No, I'm joking really. We don't want all our mistakes recorded!
Unfortunately a number of clubs and teams took no notice of the rule and
refused to implement it, causing confusion in all quarters.
I was recently playing a Perranporth Summer league match. I
snookered my opponent, who shall be nameless (RB), and he simply pushed
the ball to the bottom corner of the table, making no attempt to hit the
reds. That's what comes of having no 'miss rule'! I hope the person
concerned is now suitably ashamed. I don't want to be vindictive, but
that's got you back, you @!?@!
The Mining League has now reverted to a
simplified miss rule, whereby a miss cannot be called if you are
completely snookered. This saves many hours of Committee Meeting time!
Mining League 1999-2000 (click here for more detail)
Last season a team from Four Lanes was once again back in the Godolphin League, which was split into two Divisions of eight teams. Leedstown A ran away with Division 1, with Camborne RBL as runners-up. Four Lanes finished in a creditable third place and also reached the Silver Star Final, losing to Leedstown A. Division 2 was won by Liberties Club, St Ives. Last season the reporting was again excellent, thanks to Simon Bennetts (you can visit his website from my link above). This season (2002-3) we are in Division 1 again, with Penponds and Leedstown leading the way.
Perranporth Summer League 2002
This season Four Lanes field two teams in the Perranporth Summer league, the A team consisting of myself, Mike Jenkin and Christian Murray. We had a shock in our first match, going down 5-1 to Four Lanes B, consisting of Garth Dower, Ryan Curnow and Robert Buckingham. Now where did I see those initials (RB) earlier? Four Lanes B won the Tuesday League, but lost 4-1 to Redruth RBL in the play-off.
Perranporth Winter League 2000-2001
In 2000-2001 Four Lanes entered the A League for the first time, and had hopes of making a strong challenge. Unfortunately our first match was postponed! There were nine teams in the A League and twelve each in the B and C Leagues. The C League started on 20th September, with Four Lanes winning 4-1 at Goonhavern 2. In the second week they beat Pool 2nd team 5-0, so must have been near the top! After six weeks they were still in joint second place, two points behind Pool 1. A few weeks ago we fielded five players under the age of 16 and won 3-2. Is this a record for the League? Recently they went to the top of the C League after beating a strong Pool 1 team 3-2. Our A team remained near the top and a few weeks ago beat Truro Rail 3-2, with breaks of 43 from John Fisher, 42 from Jason Kempthorne and 50 from myself! Jason played well, having not touched a cue for three weeks! We also beat perennial winners Blackwater 3-2, so considered ourselves in with a chance of the title. Paul Matthews equalled my 50 break when we played Penhallow, then went in off after potting the next red! Phew! But the break was later beaten by Steve Tregunna with a 58. Although we were top of the League at halfway, we then lost 4-1 to the bottom team, Sunnyside! The outcome of the League was a win for Blackwater, and second place went to Truro Rail, who pipped Four Lanes by two points when losing 3-2 to Blackwater. Blackwater subsequently withdrew from the Perranporth league.
Local News
Paul's brilliant
breakbuilding!
Godolphin Club A player and former County Champion Paul Williams compiled a 141 total clearance in a County Pairs match in 2000 against Nick Mutter and Phil Lane (Penponds). This is the highest ever break in a County (and perhaps any other Cornish) competition. Remarkably, this was not Paul's only 141 match break, as he compiled another one three years ago in Division 2! of the Falmouth League. He also made a 130 against Jason Kempthorne (Four Lanes) in a singles match. And he did it again last season, with 105 in the St Austell Brewery Super League!
Terry Kempe, of Camborne RBL, made a brilliant 124 break last season in the semi-final of the County Team 5-a-side Competition. The break was made at Illogan Highway in a match against St Day. The break helped Camborne RBL to a 3-2 win and a place in the Final. Camborne RBL also beat champions Godolphin Club 4-2 in a Division 1 Mining League match.
I am informed that Barrie McIntosh made an 83 break in the St Blazey & District League recently. Until a few weeks ago, when he was overtaken by Cornie Piredda's 52, he was also the holder of the highest break in the Mining Snooker League with 49. Let's hope he continues to make progress towards his aim of playing Professional Snooker!
Barrie
wins County Under 19's tournament and makes a 94 break!
Young Barrie McIntosh won the County Under 19's tournament at Bell's
Court, Falmouth, in 2001, defeating Darran Lock (Hessenford) 2-0 in the
Final. On his way to the final Barrie knocked in his highest competition
break of 94. He tells me that he has made a 141 break in practice! Chris
Johns of Four Lanes did well to reach the semi-final, where he lost 2-0 to
Barrie. Darran defeated Jonathan Binding 2-1 in their semi.
In the Cornwall Under 19's championship held at Bell's Court, Falmouth,
in 1999, where Four Lanes contributed twelve competitors, we were rewarded
with young Ross Matthews' 
appearance
in the final. Unfortunately for him, Ross led by seventeen points on the
final blue, only for Stephen Kempthorne of Illogan to take the last three
balls to snatch victory.
Last season the event attracted 16 players, including 7 from Four
Lanes, and was won by Barrie McIntosh, who beat Dean Pascoe (Bells Court)
2-1 in the Final. Dean was playing his first competitive tournament, and
later stood in for the County Youth team to win his two frames against the
Plymouth League. Ryan Curnow of Four Lanes reached the
semi-finals, where he was beaten 2-1 by the eventual winner, McIntosh.
The other event of interest was the Mining
League Youth Coaching Scheme, where young players were invited free
of charge to an afternoon's coaching with County Coach David Grigg. Four
Lanes was again to the fore with seven players attending, and I am sure
they all benefited from the experience. David also held another coaching
session for more experienced young players from Breage, Redruth RBL,
Illogan and Penzance. Further coaching sessions took place in April, with
fourteen youngsters having a rewarding afternoon over three sessions. We
hope to do this again next season, and perhaps I can record some of it
with my new digital video camera!
I heard from County Secretary Derek Brooks that he has an improved
website up and running, dealing amongst other things with the Cornwall
Competition results and history. I have provided a link to Derek from this
site on my Internet page.
Veteran
Charlie Gay, pictured left, now in his seventies, made a record County
Competition billiards break of 201 in the semi-final of the individual
championship two seasons ago, beating his own best 192 in the process, and
Doug Thorncroft's competition record of 189.
Cornwall played the Plymouth League in January 2000, winning the
Senior Snooker 8-6, the Billiards 4-1, with Charlie winning his match, and
drawing the Youth Snooker 5-5. The County then played the Mining League at
Redruth RBL on 26th February. The Mining Senior team consistedof Scott
Bray, Robert Bennetts, Carl Boundy and Jason Grigor. The Youth team
contained Mark and Darren Shovel (Four Lanes), David Martin (Redruth RBL)
and Steven Kempthorne (Illogan), with the Billiards team consisting of
Taylor Veal (Penponds), Paul Matthews (British Rail) and Phil Davey
(Playing Place). The Youth match was drawn 4-4, with the County winning
the Senior Match 5-3 and the Billiards 2-1, to take an overall 11-8
victory.
Last season's match with the County was rather a hollow victory for
the County by 20 frames to 5, with several invited players failing to
accept the Mining League's invitation to play. But thanks to those who did
support their League. Several of the County's players were regular Mining
League players, which rather detracted from the whole show.
Last season Four Lanes and Illogan began a series of
Youth matches for the above trophy, which was purchased in memory of two
of the Clubs' greatest officers and players. The first match was played at
Illogan, with Illogan winning 4-2. However, Four Lanes produced a great
display in the return leg to win 5-1 on the night and snatch overall
victory 7-5. Well done, lads! Unfortunately the event has been shelved
because of a lack of young players at each club. Let's hope that soon
changes!
Our club underwent some major
renovations before last season and a new cloth was put on the table.
Unfortunately it was rather heavy and slow, and we were given a
replacement, which is quite a bit quicker. We have even been able to have
a new cloth this season as well! We have also provided a pool table to
entertain those waiting to play snooker. This has now been re-covered with
a synthetic cloth. Unfortunately some clown broke into the club and poured
bleach over it! The club is beginning to look a bit less like a building
site now, and we have even had one or two complimentary comments! We were,
for the first time last year, able to provide another new cloth after less
than twelve months' use of the old one. Gone, hopefully, are the times
when we had to rely on other clubs to donate us their old cloth, but many
thanks to those clubs.
Four Lanes had
a large number of young players, and the youngest of them,
Ryan
Curnow, showed a lot of promise at fifteen years. He made two 56 breaks,
quickly followed by an 80, and could be our best prospect since Gary Bray!
Ryan has joined Redruth RBL to improve his standards. We have another good
young prospect in 
Christian
Murray, who has already made several 30+ breaks. He recently made breaks
of 32 and 38 against me in one frame and followed this with a 39 and a 37
in another frame! But he is finding consistency a problem (see above). We
played a best of 19 series recently and I only managed to beat him 10-8,
so he's coming good. And I'd better mention Ross Matthews again, in case
he gets jealous!
I was asked to mention that Barrie McIntosh won the County Under 17's competition last season, beating Dave Martin (Redruth RBL) in the final. He played a few matches for Redruth RBL last season, but was apparently busy studying for his exams, so could not devote much time to snooker. This season he has gained a place in the Redruth RBL A team, and we wish him luck. I apologise if my facts are occasionally wrong, but I rely largely on local players for my news. At least I'm trying to provide some local coverage. I do not expect to be threatened with legal action as a result! If that is the case I might as well pack it in and have some free time instead!
Will let you know how things develop, so come back here for more news!
Bye for now,
Graham
