Had a busy week last week, maybe the busiest week of the year so far. In between practising for the BWPPA British Championship and my challenge match against Frankie Gillen I went to Meadowhall (big shopping centre in Sheffield) on Monday, Coventry on Tuesday sorting out the new flat, Grantham on Wednesday visiting my aunty, and back to Meadowhall Friday morning, then went to Rileys in Barnsley at 3:45pm to practise before the challenge match at 5pm. I beat Frankie 9-5, although he gave me a 6 rack start, which I think is crazy but I certainly wasn't gonna turn it down!
When it came to the British Championship on Saturday, I drew my pal Shaun Madin in the 1st round. I played solid as I did all weekend but lost 7-4, into the one-loss bracket I went then, and I drew a BWPPA debutant Phil (don't know his surname) from Cardiff, a nice fella and a good player, first rack he broke and ran, we shared the next few racks but he beat me 7-3, same story as the match with Shaun Madin I played well but maybe rushed some "easy balls".
Challenge-Cup on Sunday morning:
Drew Haider, cut a long story short lost 5-3 same again, you guessed it played well, but this time it was the 9s I was missing. Played the best I have in a tournament since the 2009 British Championship last December when I drew Roy Kimberley. There's one common denominator in those facts and that is, those 2 tournaments were held at Rileys Barnsley my home club, however I think it's more than that I think, as well as being at Barnsley, the Cannon Aid and the win against Frankie helped. I'm pleased with my performance overall from the weekend, just not the results, but looking back I know what would have helped with those "easy shots". Anyway 3 months now 'til the 2011 BWPPA tour begins in Barnsley. The tour is moving upto 5 events next year which I'm pleased about, with the British Championship being held in London at Rileys Shepherds Bush, and a 10-ball event for the first time on the BWPPA at Barnsley, as well as the 9-ball event in February.
Until then though next weekend I'm going to Bradford to watch my mate Jimmy White in the World seniors Snooker Championship, I fancy him to win it but you would have to favour Stephen Hendry, I would love it to be a Jimmy/Hendry final, it's being pre-recorded and shown on Sky Sports over Christmas, then I'm going to the Mosconi Cup in December to watch Boyzi and Daz and the rest of team Europe do the biz. I've always wanted to go to a Mosconi and was gutted I couldn't afford it last year in Vegas. Writing the BWPPA report now, it should be on Pro9 in the next few days.
Matt
"the Destroyer on Youtube!"
