K.W.F.F.L. SNOOKER PAGE

SNOOKER TOURNAMENT HISTORY

January 2006. Spot On Club, Kettering.

Played for the second time (Biggleswade had won by 23 - 17 in '05) this turned into a total classic !! The format is 5 Players per team, each playing 2 Frames against each other. In effect a best of 50 match !?! Kettering took an early lead ; 12 - 8 ahead after the first 2 rounds.

As per usual Barry Staines was playing well for Biggleswade, and his 2-0 win over Will 'FatBoy' McLachlan in the 4th round helped to put the Bedfordshire Boys 22-18 up with 10 frames to play. Tom Campbell (Kettering) was huffing and puffing his way round the table, and as per usual moaning about the run going against him .... Paul Follano was struggling to get going, and Andy's (Kettering) 2-0 win over him made it VERY tight. The Fatboy had a run of Black ball finishes (incredibly 6 on the trot I think !!). He gained some revenge for his October '02 Classic Final defeat to Dave Webb by beating The Dav 2-0. Unbelievbably it was now 24 frames all with just the last 2 being played out. Neil Bawden was living the dream (sic) against Barry, but lost on the Pink, Thus it was all down to Tony Follano v Ian 'Beavor' Williamson. Ian was 20+ ahead with not many balls left. Tony showed true Italian grit and determination to battle back, and sink the winning pot on the Pink ! Tony loves his snooker, and it was fitting for him to pot the winning ball.

It had been a fantastic afternoon's snooker enjoyed by all. Kettering will be out for revenge in 2007 .......

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KETTERING SNOOKER CLASSIC.

Nov. '06. - Tourn. 18.

Some things you can set your clock by ; Easter, Christmas, and Tom Campbell moaning about something or other whilst he's playing Snooker !! Tom 'The Groaner' was in fine form ... but not with his cue.

In the Round-Robin stage each Player won at least 2 of their 7 frames. Andy & Will qualified leaving Neil, Ian and Dave to Play-Off. Dave 'Harry Potter' Webb had a couple of very unlucky in-offs, and this cost him a place in the last 4.

Both Semis went all the way. Ian recoved well from being one down to play really well and defeat old rival Andy 2-1. Many punters felt this was AT LAST to be Will's Tournament. It wasn't to be however as The Fatboy lost 2-1 to Neil (was he possibly distracted by Neil's shirt ??).

Thus a new name was destined to win The Classic ... Neil played brilliantly in the opener, banging in a 30 break. Ian fought back well - and a tense final frame always looked destined to be tight.

A fluked Blue put Ian 'Beavor' Williamson ahead, and he only needed the Pink. You could feel the tension as his attemmpted pot went close, but stayed near the pocket. Neil 'The Doctor' Bawden held his composure to hold for a simple black and win in style.

Amazingly Neil made his debut in The Classic way back in March '99 - and this was only his 3rd appearance. Obviously all that practise he put in in Finland has paid off - will he celebrate by treating himself to smoe of his favourite 'Whitby Clotted Cream' ?!? Only now can he enter the Rankings ... and he does so AT NUMBER ONE !!!!!!

NOVEMBER '06 RANKINGS.

1. NEIL BAWDEN
2. Andy Webster
3. Dave Webb
4. Ross Campbell
5. Tom Campbell
6. Ian Williamson
7. Tony Follano
8. Will McLachlan  

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April '06. Tournament 17.

Most of the usual suspects were in the Line-Up, although an arm injury meant that Neil 'The Polar Bear' Bawden had to make a late withdrawal. The Round Robin was tighter than ever, with EVERY PLAYER being in with a chance of Qualifying until Tony defeated Tom in the very last frame of this stage !!

Andy didn't reach the Semis, but made The Classic's 2nd best ever break with a 59.

Frames Won In Round Robin. Ross Campbell 5
Beavor Williamson 4
Chris Bull 4
Tony Follano 4
Andy Webster 3
Dave Webb 3
Will McLachlan 3
Tom Campbell 2

The Semis were both close. Beavor roared ahead, only to very honestly call a foul on himself in the 2nd frame at a vital stage. Chris then stormed back and played very well to win 2-1. Tony and Ross had an epic battle, before Ross clinched it 2-1 on the last black !

Ross was producing his best ever Classic form (were the Anti-Biotics helping ??) and with Chris unable to produce his earlier flowing snooker Ross won fairly comfortably 2-0. This was Ross' second victory, and his excellent play deserved the win !

April '06 Rankings.
1.ANDY WEBSTER
2.Dave Webb
3.Ross Campbell
4.Chris Bull
5.Tom Campbell
6.Graham Brown
7.Tony Follano
8.Beavor Williamson
9=.Will McLachlan
9=.Nigel Mundy

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TOURNAMENT 16. (Nov. '05).

In the Semi-Finals Tom beat Ian 'Beavor' Williamson and Andy beat Daniel. The Final saw Tom beat his great rival Andy 2-0, finishing with a Pink and Black that Ronnie would have been proud of !!

NOVEMBER '05 RANKINGS.

1.ANDY WEBSTER
2.Dave Webb
3=.Ross Campbell
3=.Tom Campbell
5.Graham Brown
6.Chris Bull
7.Ian 'Beavor' Williamson
8.Will McLachlan
9.Nigel Mundy
10.Ian 'Son' Bland

The pressure of the day obviously got to Chris Bull, and he was forced to withdraw halfway through. Another Chris - Gooder - was making his debut and he thoroughly enjoyed it, but wasn't able to get past the Round-Robin stage.

In the Semis Barry beat Andy 2-0, and Dave 'Harry Potter' Webb defeated Graham 2-1 in an epic battle. The Final saw another debutante - Barry - show his class and just pip 'old hand' Webby 2-1. Despite this defeat, Dave has now sneaked ahead of his great rival Andy at the top of the Rankings !

It was a thoroughly deserved success by the highly talented Barry ... I feel this isn't the last The Classic has seen of him !?!

THE DAVE WEBB CHRISTMAS HANDICAP CUP '05.

The first Team Event took place in early January '05 at the Spot-On Club.

Kettering Fantasy Snooker Players took on The Biggleswade Wanderers.

The Biggleswade team arrived late, prompting cries from Will & Tom for them to be docked Frames !! As it was a 'friendly' event no such penalty was incured (maybe next year ...).

The format was each person playing 2 frames against each player on the other Team (Dave caused some confusion by having 5 rather than the stipulated 4 people).

Biggleswade took an early 6-2 lead, with Barry knocking in a 65 break on his first visit to the table. Kettering fought back to just 2 behind at 11-13 ; Andy & Dave had one epic frame where Andy came from 40+ behind to clear all the colours to win.

The next set of matches were crucial, and The Dav recovered well to beat Ben 2-0 ; both frames went to the black with Dave producing a great break to clinch the 2nd.

Tony was playing very well, potting lots of crucial balls to win tight games. With one round of matches left it was 18-14 to Biggleswade.

Will had started off OK, but as is often the case he faded away badly (rather like one of his tee-shots ...). Tom had gone on a new fitness programme recently, and was looking very slimline (well, that's what he told me to put in this review !!).

Kettering gave themselves a slight chance by winning 3 of the opening 4 frames in the last lot of matches, but Biggleswade finished strongly. Chris Bull played pretty well all day ; he beat Andy in the 2nd and it was Tony who sunk the winning pot.

Final Score.

BIGGLESWADE 23

Tony Follano 6/8
Chris Bull 6/8
Barry Staines 5/8
Dave Webb 4/8
Paul Follano 2/8

KETTERING 17

Tom Campbell 6/10
Andy Webster 6/10
Will McLachlan 3/10
Ben Tolley 2/10

Everyone had a very enjoyable afternoon, and Kettering will be out for revenge in '06 !!!!

NOV. '04 (Tournament 14).

P.T.T. (Pre-Tournament-Tension) was running high as Will managed to get into an arguement with people playing on another table before our event had even started !! Amazingly Pete 'Whirlwind' Wilford reached the venue on time in order to make his (much delayed) debut in The Classic.

Dave went off like a train, not giving Ross a shot in the opener. Tom was dismayed to find his first match was against 'The Grinder', but Tom prevailed in a tight frame on the Pink. Defending Champ Graham won his first match v Pete but struggled after that and ended up going home early doors.

Will was also struggling ; he needed to beat Smashedpete in his last frame to get into a Play-Off. Needing a snooker, Will got it ... only for The Whirlwind to somehow get out of it (Pete normally manages to get out of it without any trouble !). This was Pete's shot of the day. He appeared to play little safety, preferring to "Smash Em Up".

Andy lost both of his first 2 frames, and was struggling v Graham. Suddenly a 25 break clicked him into gear, and he was away. Dave couldn't maintain his early form and was (by his own high standards) below par. Due to other results going his way however, he sneaked into the Semis.

Ben 'Basher' Tolley was thoroughly enjoying his afternoon. His big handicap - no, not those sideburns ... - gave him confidence, and he peaked in an incredible game v Dave where he totalled well over 140 Pts. !!

Tom was rolling ; he's generally been playing well over recent weeks and 2 days before the Classic rattled in a 48 break. He won all 7 Round Robin frames ; the first time anyone has done this. However, as Claude often says to Tom ; "Have you peaked too early ??"

Semi-Finals.

Both the Semis were tight matches. Ben had the crowd on his side v Andy, but lost the first. He levelled to 1-1, only for Andy to win the decider on the Pink. Tom took a 1-0 lead v Dave, then Dave took the 2nd. In the 3rd with 3 balls remaining Dave needed a Snooker. He got a pearler, Tom missed ... then Dave cleared up.

FINAL.

For the 4th time it was Andy v Dave (2-1 to Dave in previous 3). Andy was playing staedy snooker ; were the hostile audience inspiring him ?? Dave was missing more than usual and particularly struggling with the middle pockets. In both frames Andy took an early lead, and was well ahead by the colours. A 2-0 victpry was Andy's 5th Classic success, and also enabled him to grab the No. 1 spot in the Rankings from Dave.

NOV. '04 RANKINGS.

1. ANDY WEBSTER
2. Dave Webb
3. Ross Campbell
4. Tom Campbell
5. Graham Brown
6. Chris Bull
7. Ian Williamson
8. Will McLachlan
9. Nigel Mundy

TOURNAMENT 13. April '04.

Due to the incredible interest The Classic generates, this event saw a field of 10 Players for the first time (and still more wanted to play ...).

The only debutant was Daniel Williamson ; a young cuester from Stotfold. Displaying much of the style of The Beavor in his youth (ie, all out attacking play) Dan enjoyed his day. He won 2 frames - and definately has more hair than The Beav. Dan will be back ... and perhaps he'll even play a Safety shot or two next time !!

As per usual it was tight to qualify for The Semis. Will won his first 4 & looked a cert, then collapsed and failed to make it.

Semi 'Veterans' The Dav and Andy made it through, to be joined by Chris and Graham 'Carling' Brown. Perhaps the early start was to Grahams taste - certainly the bar profits would have been good today !!

The Semis were both very close. Dave squeezed past Andy 2-1, and Graham beat Chris by the same score.

The Final went 1 frame each. A tense decider came to the Pink. Dave had a, by his standards, good chance. He missed it - and Graham finished off !! So it was a well deserved 1st Classic victory for Mr Brown. Only once previously had he even reached the last 4.

As ever it was a very enjoyable event ; it's always nice to see Tom Campbell becoming increasingly frustrated as the hours go by .........

TOURNAMENT 12

2nd Nov. '03

Missing from the usual list of suspects was Graham 'Carling' Brown. Rumours that he was in an exclusive alcohol detox unit were denied by his Manager ...

This meant Chris Bull returned to the fold. On his only previous appearance Chris rattled in a (still) Tournament best break of 61. He wasn't able to reproduce that sort of form today, and bit the dust early doors.

The battle was as ever very close in the round-robin stages. Ross qualified with 5, and Andy, Tom, Nigel & Dave each won 4. The resulting Play-Off saw The Dav eliminated.

Both of the best-of-three Semis went the distance. Tom was overjoyed to defeat Andy 2-1, and Ross also prevailed. This was despite Nigel producing a thunderous Pink/Black finish to level it at 1-1. Does anyone in the game hit the balls harded than Nigel 'Hurricane' Mundy ??

Tom had previously lost in 2 Classic Finals, but today fate was on his side.

There was a superb moment at the end of Frame 1. With Pink & Black left Tom needed a snooker. He told everyone "I'm going to show you how to play Billiards now" and proceded to gain a superb snooker. In his excitement, however, he touched the balls with his hand ! The crowd - to a man wanting Ross to win - loved it.

There was controversy during the match as Ross complained about Tom continually moving whilst he was on his shot. Both Andy & Will in the crowd agreed, and this led to a heated debate (during which Tom's tendancy to also do this at Golf was mentioned !). By this time Tom was like a cat on hot bricks ...

Frame 2 went to the Black, and Ross produced a brilliant pot. The crowd roared, only to groan a few seconds later as the White came off of the side cushion and slowly rolled into the pocket. 1-1. Tom didn't need another chance, and rounded off victory in the 3rd for a long overdue 1st Classic success !

This Tournament always seems to produce drama (Will potting the final Black & going In-Off a year ago) ; you just couldn't write it ....

NEXT TOURNAMENT ; Sunday 4th April '04.

NOV. '03 SNOOKER RANKINGS.

1. DAVE WEBB
2= Ross Campbell
2= Andy Webster
4. Tom Campbell
5= Will McLachlan
5= Nigel Mundy
7= Ian 'Beavor' Williamson
7= Tony Follano
9. Graham Brown

TOURNAMENT 11.

April '03.

Will Mclacken decided that he just couldn't take the pressure, and made his excuses a couple of weeks before the event. Is this the end of Will's career in the upper levels of the game - or will he be back refreshed in November '03 ???

Tony Follano returned, but struggled to find his best game. Nigel Mundy also struggled and couldn't repeat his debut performance.

Dave and 'The Beavor' qualified, then it all fell on the last Round Robin matches for the other Semi-Finalists.

Ross put paid to Graham Brown (rumours suggesting that Graham's best 'break' was a Carling followed by another Carling followed by a double on the whisky remain unproven at time of going to press...).

A titanic struggle between Tom and Andy came down to the final black - and Tom produced probably the shot of the day to pot it length of the table (he won't forget that shot in a hurry, or tire of reminding Andy of it !!).

As usual for many of the competitors the early elimination of 'The Grinder' was a highspot of the day ...

Both Semis produced some great Snooker. Ross went one up v Dave, only for The Dav to hit top gear and some superb pots to level it. Ross held his nerve to win the decider (a 'streaky' double on the last red sealed it).

On the other table the mother of all opening frames - grindy in the extreme - went to The Beavor. Now Ian hasn't really produced his best in previous Competitions. All of that changed dramatically in frame 2. He suddenly banged in a classic 48 break (the days best and his best ever) and then followed with a 20+ Tom was shellshocked.

The 'experts' were all agreed ; surely Ian 'Beavor' Williamson would now go on to clinch his first Ranking Tournament victory ... Ross however had other ideas. He potted many brilliant reds, usually then to miss an easy colour ! He took the first, and fought back from behind in the second. The Title was secured with yet another double - or was it a triple ??

Congratulations to Ross Campbell, who importantly in the family battle has won this event before his Dad (and Tom has 'been around' a lot longer).

TOURNAMENT 10.

October '02.

This turned out to be the most dramatic event so far !

Joining the 'usual suspects' on the green baize was Nigel 'Hurricane' Munday (so named more for his fast and furious style of play than his ability to drink 8 double vodkas in 15 minutes).Nigel thoroughly enjoyed himself, and reached the Semis before meeting his match in the shape of 'The Fatboy' (aka Will McLachan).

The other Semi saw 'old hands' Andy and Dave battle it out. In the Round-Robin Andy had racked up over 100 Pts against his old enemy, but here the tide was turned as The Dav knocked in a superb 52 break on his way to a 2-0 victory.

The best of 3 Final was a tense affair. It went to one all, then Dave had a routine cut Pink for victory. It wobbled and stayed out. Dave had the look about him of Steve Davis when he missed the Black v Dennis Taylor ! Will had both Pink and Black right over the pockets. He knocked in the Pink , composed himself - and potted the Black .. only to follow straight through with the White into the Pocket. Will was TOTALLY gutted !

This victory edges Dave ahead of Andy at the top of the Rankings.

A great day was had by all (excepting probably Tom 'Bottler' Campbell and Ian 'The Beav' Williamson').

Next Tournament. Sunday 27 April. Spot - On Club, Kettering. 1pm start.

(This Tournament's popularity is now at such a level that a Pre-Qualifying Competition may well soon have to be arranged ...)

RANKINGS (Oct. '02).

1. Dave Webb
2. Andy Webster
3= Tony Follano
3= Will McLachlan
5. Tom Campbell
6. Ian Williamson
7. Graham Brown

Career Record. T1. Did not enter T2. Eliminated at round robin stage T3. Eliminated at round robin stage T4. Eliminated at round robin stage T5. Eliminated at round robin stage T6. Lost in final. T7. Eliminated at round robin stage Tom has his moments on the green baize, but more often than not a visit to Spot On leads to a gradual build up of his frustrations. Tom loves playing the big pots, but is possibly suspect under pressure. Will he ever forget the sitter of a Pink he missed in the October '99 Classic which would have put him into the Semis.

Career Record. T1.Eliminated at round robin stage T2. Elininated at round robin stage. T3. Lost in semi-final T4. Lost in semi-final T5. Lost in semi-final T6. Lost in semi-final T7. Didn't enter A fearless potter who at times can border on the reckless. Is usually desperate to take on any pot on the table. Possibly his game has changed slightly for the better over the years.

WILL McLAUGHLAN. Nickname ; 'The Chancer'. Ranking ; 6. CAREER RECORD. T1. Didn't enter. T2. Semi - Final. T3. Semi - Final. T4. Didn't Qual. T5. Didn't Qual. T6. Didn't Qual. T7. Semi - Final Most Likely To Say ; "According to the full unedited Rules Of Golf (which I just happened to be reading last night) the fact that Tom's ball is lying in a crack in the ground means that he isn't entitled to a free drop. This is covered by Rule 127a ; sub-section 4." Least Likely To Say ; "Make mine a small curry please …"

Gregg & Brian

Dave "The Cue" Web"

TIP FOR SUMMER:

With Ronnie the Rocket or Exocet (something explosive) winning the World Title I can only say my predictions are nothing short of hopeless. It was good to see Ronnie win with such style, he truly is a snooker genius. Anyway, my Summer Tip is : Get outside and play golf. Snooker in the hot Summer is too sticky and unhealthy. UNLESS you can find an air conditioned Snooker Club. Not Kettering where they just open the windows and the carbon monoxide pours IN. Regards, and stay potting.

Snooker Loopy Dav

For the latest snooker news from "The Cue" access WWW.Dave.snooker.Webb.CO.UK

1. September 2000, a simple request for a toasted sandwich and tea gets the reply: "when we get round to it !!". Pardon me for asking ...

2. Today (9/11/00) main bar lady (Smiler as she is known !) is leaning on bar with someone who looks like the owner discussing something, I walk up await her to finish, or at least ask what I want, but no, I am the invisible man. I wander back to the table. 5 minutes later Smiler sticks her head round the corner and asks "Did you want something ?"....sorry, but are we supposed to wait around 5 minutes with the table light on, costing money , in the vain hope of being served ?

Oh well, its never boring at the Club !!

Regards

Dave Winger Webb

Andy's tip for the 2005 World Championship

Andy predicts that Ronnie O'Sullivan will retain his World Title..