Friday, 13 September 2019
Sunday, 8 September 2019
Wednesday, 28 August 2019
Thursday, 18 July 2019
Monday, 17 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #25 - Answers
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #25 - Answers
Congratulations to Brian 'Mr Chairman' Orton for correctly identifying all 3 in this photo.
L - R : Ron Brewer, John Pulman (World Champion 1957-1968, 8 times consecutively!) & Bill Billingham (well, it was Fathers Day!).
Brian estimates it was taken around 1969? Well done Sir, your prize will be behind the bar... & it's not liquid.
As always, please feel free to message me with any contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
Snooker Rep.
Sunday, 16 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #25
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #25
Appropriately with a week to go until the Steve Davis Snooker Exhibition (& on Fathers Day), I thought I would post a picture to test you Snooker Fans.
Here is a picture of 2 Comrades Club Members with an 8 times (yes, EIGHT times) Snooker World Champion.
Anyone care to attempt to identify any of the people in this Black & White picture from back-in-the-day?
I'll give you a clue, the World Champion is in the middle.
Again, feel free to message me with any contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
Snooker Rep.
Wallingford Comrades Club Centenary Snooker Exhibition
Only one week to go until the Wallingford Comrades Club Centenary Snooker Steve 'The Nugget' Davis Exhibition Event!
A few tickets are still available on the Comrades Website. Buy now or be disappointed.
A few tickets are still available on the Comrades Website. Buy now or be disappointed.
Friday, 14 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #24
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #24
Continuing our series (we've a lot of history to get through!), here is the Wallingford Comrades Club Snooker Teams end-of-season Stats Tables for the D&DB&SL for the 1993-94 Season (thank you Phil Hall).
As you can see, we now had a newly formed D Team, comprised of quite a few players who had migrated from the Kings Head PH Pool Team. Captained by Kev Willis, they romped their first season in the D&DB&SL & won the Fourth Division Title by 6 clear points.
Continuing our series (we've a lot of history to get through!), here is the Wallingford Comrades Club Snooker Teams end-of-season Stats Tables for the D&DB&SL for the 1993-94 Season (thank you Phil Hall).
As you can see, we now had a newly formed D Team, comprised of quite a few players who had migrated from the Kings Head PH Pool Team. Captained by Kev Willis, they romped their first season in the D&DB&SL & won the Fourth Division Title by 6 clear points.
Captain Kev played a sterling season, leading from the front & finished as top percentage player. To give him due reward for a fabulous first year, he was awarded the prestigious Tanner Trophy as Player of the Season.
Stu Mogford made a plethora of breaks which challenged Phil's XL skills (huh, he should try accommodating all Phil Collins high breaks!). For his 45 break Stu took the Bill Billingham High Break Trophy, which was to be his start of 3 consecutive years of him holding this award.
House Competitions
In the Veterans a 'whistling' Gilbert Shepherd regained the title after a 2 year gap. Dave Greathead, having 'moved up' to the A Team, retained the Singles title, becoming only the 3rd player in Comrades History to do so (Robert 'Bob' Seares won the first back-to-back Singles titles in 1974 & '75, repeated the feat again in 1983 & '84 & Colin Baker won in 1985 & '86).
Ian 'Tiny' Burtenshaw & Kevin Gray both got their first Gold Leaf moments as they won the Doubles. Tiny doubled up with another House Winners trophy with a win in the Darts Singles.
Snooker cue-wielding brothers Pete & Mick Soden proved they were dab hands with the arrows too as they won the Darts Pairs.
As always, please feel free to message me with any information or contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
Snooker Rep.
Snooker Rep.
Wednesday, 12 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #23
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #23
Continuing the series of Centenary Posts, committing all this history & nostalgia to digital records, here is the D&DB&SL end-of-season League Tables for the 1992-93 season.
This was to be the last year of Tony Stenning's hand written leagues as home computers were now becoming the norm. This copy is once again provided by our Club Snooker Rep. of that time, Phil Hall.
In the Premier Division Wallingford A recaptured the title from the previous years winners, Oracle B. It was to be the last time the A Team won the Premier for over 5 subsequent seasons. Rich (Dickie) Sambell won the Premier High Break trophy with a creditable 64.
The First Division title was won by Esso Research A (or Infineum at Milton Hill as it is now, who sadly are no longer in the D&DB&SL). The First Division High Break trophy was won by a young Paul Archer (yes, the now Captain of Abingdon RBL) with a 40.
The Second Division title was won by Challow RBL B (a club who gladly return to the D&DB&SL next season) & the Second Division High Break trophy was won by R. Rawlings with a 38 (surely not Richard Rawlings... of Gas Monkey Garage? Guess we'll see who watches Fast n Loud?).
The Third Division title was won by County Club & a certain D. Baker burst on the scene, making a sizeable 64 break to take the Third Division High Break trophy.
In the last year of the Fourth Division Oracle C took the divisional title & R. Hiles made a 75 break to take the High Break prize for Division 4.
Wallingford A doubled up their Premier Division title by winning the John Evans Cup Final, whilst Marlborough B won the end-of-season Jim Taylor Cup.
In Pairs Comps, Wallingford B Team Doubles pairing of Dave Greathead & Pete Billingham won their first (of 3) D&DB&SL Doubles title, whilst Dave Hammond & Nigel Prior (Marlborough) won the 2 Man Team event.
In solo events, Doug Howse secured a hat trick of consecutive Billiards titles & the aforementioned Dave Baker secured the Under 23s title. He wasn't finished there though as 'Bakes' went on to win the prestigious Singles title, becoming the first player ever to win the Under 23s & Singles in the same season.
This feat would not be repeated until 1997-98 season by Dave Taylor (Oracle), again in 1999-2000 by a certain Phil Collins (then of Fairmile) who went on to repeat it in 2001-02 & lastly in 2008-09 by Ollie Hoeblyn (again, Oracle).
As always, please feel free to message me with any contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
Snooker Rep.
Continuing the series of Centenary Posts, committing all this history & nostalgia to digital records, here is the D&DB&SL end-of-season League Tables for the 1992-93 season.
This was to be the last year of Tony Stenning's hand written leagues as home computers were now becoming the norm. This copy is once again provided by our Club Snooker Rep. of that time, Phil Hall.
In the Premier Division Wallingford A recaptured the title from the previous years winners, Oracle B. It was to be the last time the A Team won the Premier for over 5 subsequent seasons. Rich (Dickie) Sambell won the Premier High Break trophy with a creditable 64.
The First Division title was won by Esso Research A (or Infineum at Milton Hill as it is now, who sadly are no longer in the D&DB&SL). The First Division High Break trophy was won by a young Paul Archer (yes, the now Captain of Abingdon RBL) with a 40.
The Second Division title was won by Challow RBL B (a club who gladly return to the D&DB&SL next season) & the Second Division High Break trophy was won by R. Rawlings with a 38 (surely not Richard Rawlings... of Gas Monkey Garage? Guess we'll see who watches Fast n Loud?).
The Third Division title was won by County Club & a certain D. Baker burst on the scene, making a sizeable 64 break to take the Third Division High Break trophy.
In the last year of the Fourth Division Oracle C took the divisional title & R. Hiles made a 75 break to take the High Break prize for Division 4.
Wallingford A doubled up their Premier Division title by winning the John Evans Cup Final, whilst Marlborough B won the end-of-season Jim Taylor Cup.
In Pairs Comps, Wallingford B Team Doubles pairing of Dave Greathead & Pete Billingham won their first (of 3) D&DB&SL Doubles title, whilst Dave Hammond & Nigel Prior (Marlborough) won the 2 Man Team event.
In solo events, Doug Howse secured a hat trick of consecutive Billiards titles & the aforementioned Dave Baker secured the Under 23s title. He wasn't finished there though as 'Bakes' went on to win the prestigious Singles title, becoming the first player ever to win the Under 23s & Singles in the same season.
This feat would not be repeated until 1997-98 season by Dave Taylor (Oracle), again in 1999-2000 by a certain Phil Collins (then of Fairmile) who went on to repeat it in 2001-02 & lastly in 2008-09 by Ollie Hoeblyn (again, Oracle).
As always, please feel free to message me with any contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
Snooker Rep.
Monday, 10 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #22
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #22
We continue our series with the end-of-season Wallingford Comrades Club Stats Table for the D&DB&SL 1992-93 season, courtesy of Phil Hall.
In this year in House Competitions the Veterans Title was lifted by J. (John?) Cope. Alan Nettley & Geoff 'Fish' Fisher won the Doubles beating Dave Greathead & Pete Billingham in the Final.
Dave consoled himself as he went on to capture a winners trophy, securing the Singles Title for his first ever Gold Leaf inscription on the prestigious & hallowed boards.
At this time Dave was Captain of the B Team & together with his Doubles Partner, Pete Billingham they also won their first D&DB&SL Doubles Title (the first Wallingford pairing on the base inscription?), when Dave sank one of his trademark long blues to secure the match.
Captain Dave, or Daddy G as he was to be affectionately known by his 'young' squad, also secured the Bill Billingham High Break Trophy with a 38 break. As Phil wrote, after such a sterling year where he featured in so many Finals, Dave was the very worthy recipient of the Tanner Trophy for Player of the Season, repeating his Doubles Partners feat from the previous season of capturing both of these awards in the same year.
And as you can see from the hand written names at the bottom of the stats sheet, the new Wallingford D Team was in the process of being formed. Kev Willis was to be Captain (of Pettits fame), together with Keith Murphy, Tony Caven, Darren Didcock, Mark Kennedy, retired Policeman Mike Newman & a certain Father of current C Team Captain, Chris Alexander.
As always, please feel free to message me with any contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
Snooker Rep.
Snooker Rep.
Sunday, 9 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #21
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #21
With only 2 weeks to go until our Centenary Event, the Steve Davis Snooker Exhibition Night on Sunday 23rd June, I thought it appropriate to remember past exhibition nights at Wallingford Comrades Club.
Steve will not be the first World Champion to give an exhibition at the Comrades Club. Here is a wonderful picture of Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins (World Champion 1972 & 1982) & Ray Reardon (World Champion 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1975 & 1978) together with our then Chairman, Derek Hawkins (far left) & their Professional Referee, Len Walker (far right). To have not one, but two World Champions in our Club... wow!
The Centenary Committee, especially Gavin Twigg who 'owns' Steve 'The Nugget' Davis Exhibition Event have been working very hard with arranging it & all the associated logistical issues which have been numerous. Just over a dozen tickets are still available, so if you haven't got yours yet, there is still time. Click Events on the WCC website & follow the Buy Tickets link.
With only 2 weeks to go until our Centenary Event, the Steve Davis Snooker Exhibition Night on Sunday 23rd June, I thought it appropriate to remember past exhibition nights at Wallingford Comrades Club.
Steve will not be the first World Champion to give an exhibition at the Comrades Club. Here is a wonderful picture of Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins (World Champion 1972 & 1982) & Ray Reardon (World Champion 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1975 & 1978) together with our then Chairman, Derek Hawkins (far left) & their Professional Referee, Len Walker (far right). To have not one, but two World Champions in our Club... wow!
The Centenary Committee, especially Gavin Twigg who 'owns' Steve 'The Nugget' Davis Exhibition Event have been working very hard with arranging it & all the associated logistical issues which have been numerous. Just over a dozen tickets are still available, so if you haven't got yours yet, there is still time. Click Events on the WCC website & follow the Buy Tickets link.
Friday, 7 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #20
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #20
With the 2018-19 season complete for the Didcot & District Billiards & Snooker League I have created & updated a compiled digital record (XL Spreadsheet) of all winners from them beginning(?) of the D&DB&SL.
This was mainly done for 2 reasons.
Firstly, the only records we have are on the actual trophies. As some may recall, the Premier Division High Break Trophy went missing a few years ago 😡 & at that point it became apparent that the trophy bases were the ONLY record of who won what in what year.
Secondly, with this being the Wallingford Comrades Clubs Centenary Year, I was intrigued as to how many trophies & titles our club teams & players had won over the years. The answer...? A massive 120!!! 😳👏💪
As the inscription plates on some of the trophies have been replaced or in some cases, the trophies replaced or renewed, this is not a definitive or complete list. The first record is from the 1968-69 season so if anyone reading this can provide evidence to assist with any preceding information (does anyone know the exact year the D&DB&SL was formed?), filling in any of the gaps, then please send the information to me & I will update the historic records.
With many thanks to Gordon Izzard 🙏 for providing me with all the 'raw data' from each trophy base (I still owe you a beer or two for that mammoth task Gordon 👏🍺🍺) & of course, Vic 'The Legend' Hartley 🥃 for all of his End-of-Season League Tables, including his predecessor, Tony Stenning (who used to write them all by hand back-in-the-day! 😮). Thanks also to Phil Hall 🙏 for providing me with the scanned pdf copies that you have been reading on these WCC Centenary Posts, they proved invaluable in compiling the spreadsheet & also in filling in some of the gaps.
Dawn & Ann, should you find any historic records from your dear Dad, please hang on to them for me as my plan is to provide this spreadsheet to be uploaded to the D&DB&SL Facebook page & for Tim Watson to incorporate in his social media for the league.
As always, feel free to message me with any contributions of your own which you may have (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds.
If you're enjoying these posts, please take the time to give it a Like 👍 as a bit of feedback.
Snooker Rep.
Wednesday, 5 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #19
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #19
Our series continues with the end-of-season Stats Tables for the D&DB&SL 1991-92 Season, as originally compiled by our own Phil Hall 🙏
Sadly I have no copies of the end-of-season League Tables from the D&DB&SL for this season (can anyone out there help?), but with immense thanks to Gordon Izzard who supplied me with listings of winners from all of the current & past trophies (that must have taken some time & is well worth a beer or two, thank you Gordon), I can give you a summary of League Winners.
D&DB&SL Winners
Oracle B won the Premier Division for their first time, thereby stopping Wallingford A from making it a consecutive quartet of wins. Goring & Streatley, having won promotion the previous season as Second Division Champions bettered that impressive feat by winning the First Division. Malcolm Winney (Challow RBL back then I believe?) tied with C. Wyatt (home Club not known) as First Division High Break winners on 44.
Fairmile SC won the Second Division - probably due to a young prodigy by the name of Collins bursting on to the scene? First Division High Break prize was claimed with another 44 break by Matty Nunn (son of Wallingford Comrades member) who I believe at that time played for Metal Box, or Crown Technology as we know them now.
Challow RBL B won the Third Division, but sadly I have no record of who won that division High Break, nor either for the Fourth Division which turned out to be in its penultimate year of existence.
In the Team Cups, Oracle B doubled up on their Premiership triumph by winning the John Evans Cup. Wallingford A consoled themselves by securing the season finale, the Jim Taylor Cup.
In the solo & pairs events, brothers Dave & Vince Taylor won the Doubles, Paul Robinson & Bob Baker won the 2 Man Team & a certain Nigel Prior (then of Marlborough) won the prestigious Singles. Doug Howse (Abingdon Con) retained the Billiards title & N. Robinson (home club not known) won the Under 23s.
Wallingford House Competitions & Annual Awards
1992 was a very sad year for this Club Rep as my Father, William AKA Bill Billingham succumbed to the dreaded cancer he had fought for so long. The family subsequently donated the Bill Billingham High Break Trophy to the Wallingford Comrades in his memory for the highest break made in competitive play. Quite aptly, yours truly knocked in a creditable half century (at Oracle v Bob Baker in the Wallingford B v Oracle B away match) to claim the inaugural & emotional inscription.
Having finished top percentage player in the B Team, Billingham junior also was the proud recipient of the Tanner Trophy for Player of the Season, which was now in its third year of being presented.
In Comrades House Competitions the Doubles title was won by Colin Wright & Richard Rowse (of Rowse Honey fame), Tony Wood (B Team) won the Singles & S. Birch won the Veterans title. In non-cue comps JB, John Beardsley & Howard Chadwick retained the Darts title, the late George Flynn (A Team) won the Crib Singles & Adrian Hatt won the Golf title.
If anyone can assist with filling in any of the missing winners/information please feel free to message me, also with any contributions of your own (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds & historic records.
Snooker Rep.
Monday, 3 June 2019
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #18
WCC Centenary Snooker Post #18
With apologies to readers for the delay between centenary posts (due to personal reasons), we re-continue this series with the end-of-season Stats Tables for the D&DB&SL 1990-91 Season, as compiled by our own Phil Hall 🙏
This season saw Wallingford A retain the Premier Title making it a hat trick of wins, dominating in the division since the Premiership was formed in the 1988-89 season.
Sadly I have no records of who won the Premier High Break, 1st Division Title, 3rd Division High Break, 4th Division Title or 4th Division High Break - if you can assist with filling in any of these historic facts, please message me.
Randomly though, I can tell you that R. Baker (presumably Bob Baker) won the 1st Division High Break award with a creditable 57.
However, other records which do exist are that Goring & Streatley (Golf Club) won the 2nd Division Title & John Dawson took the 2nd Division High Break award with a 37 break.
Harwell RBL D (yes, they used to field 4 teams!) won the 3rd Division.
In the team cups, Oracle B won the Jim Taylor thereby preventing Wallingford A from achieving a back-to-back treble as the A Team won the John Evans, making it a Double Year with their Premier Title.
Pom Merola (Oracle) won the Singles Cup, whilst A. King & A. Horton (home Club not known - can anyone assist?) won the Doubles. The Wallingford A pairing of Bob Seares & Stuart Mogford won the 2 Man Team title & Doug Howse (Abingdon Con?) won the Billiards.
In Wallingford Comrades House Competitions the A Team pairing of Colin Baker & Phil Hall won the Doubles for the second year in succession. A young Andy Rance of the B Team won the coveted Singles Title for his first ever Gold Leaf moment. The Veterans Cup was won by a ‘whistling’ Gilbert Shepherd, yes the same legend who was also responsible for table maintenance & who our annual GSMS Cup was to be named after which did not commence until 1996. Billiards was not played & did not appear back in gold leaf on the winners boards until 2003.
Elsewhere in non-cue orientated House Competitions a certain John Beardsley partnered his good friend Howard Chadwick to the Darts Pairs Title & our late Chairman, Bob Elliott won the Crib Singles.
In the second year of awarding Player of the Season the late George Flynn was awarded the Tanner Trophy on the back of his Comrades Singles Title the previous season.
If anyone can assist with filling in any missing winners or information wish please feel free to message me with any contributions of your own (photographs, newspaper cuttings, etc.) & I'll add them to the feeds & historic records.
Snooker Rep.
Monday, 27 May 2019
Annual Awards - Tanner Trophy for Player of the Season 2018-19
Saturday 25th May was the annual end-of-season GSMS Tournament where all the Wallingford Comrades Club Annual Awards are presented.
Annual Awards - Bill Billingham High Break 2018-19
Saturday 25th May was the annual end-of-season GSMS Tournament where all the Wallingford Comrades Club Annual Awards are presented.
The Bill Billingham High Break trophy was won by Phil Collins (for the second year) who made a fabulous 89 break in a League Match.
The Bill Billingham High Break trophy was won by Phil Collins (for the second year) who made a fabulous 89 break in a League Match.
Annual Awards - Bob Elliott Doubles Cup 2018
Saturday 25th May was the annual end-of-season GSMS Tournament where all the Wallingford Comrades Club Annual Awards are presented.
Annual Awards - Greene King 2018
Saturday 25th May was the annual end-of-season GSMS Tournament where all the Wallingford Comrades Club Annual Awards are presented.
Thursday, 16 May 2019
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (21)
A fabulous achievement & wholly appropriate in the Comrades Club Centenary Year.
(The only member of the A Team who wasn't able to attend was Jon Hawkins who was busy with some very important family business - his son Latham Hawkins signed his first official Football Contract with Swindon Town!)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (20)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (17)
Billiards Winner, David Baker.
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (13)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (12)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (11)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (10)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (07)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (06)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (04)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (03)
A fantastic achievement by Cap C, Baz Alexander & his team, especially in the Comrades Club Centenary year.
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (02)
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation Night for 2018-19 Season (01)
Congratulations to all the Wallingford Winners & Runners Up on the most impressive trophy 'haul' by Wallingford Comrades Snooker Players in the history of the D&DB&SL!
A fabulous achievement & wholly appropriate in the Comrades Club Centenary Year.
Have a great Summer & see you all in the Autumn for the start of the 2019/20 D&DB&SL Season... but most of you on Saturday 25th May for this years GSMS Tournament!
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
D&DB&SL AGM & Presentation 2019 tonight
Several proposals require debate & ultimately voting, so please attend - it's your league!
Thursday, 9 May 2019
Friday, 3 May 2019
Gilbert Shepherd Memorial Shield Tournament 2019
Gilbert Shepherd Memorial Shield Tournament 2019 entries are now open!
Andy Rance has been working tirelessly again in organising this years GSMS Tournament - thank you Cap B.
Entry form is on the Snooker Room Notice Board, so please get your names up ASAP to avoid disappointment as this popular event entry list fills up notoriously quickly!
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
Sunday, 28 April 2019
Snooker Review 2018-19 Season.
Snooker Review 2018-19 Season.
I am very pleased to report that the Wallingford Comrades Club has enjoyed an immensely successful year in snooker competitions this season, very appropriate in the Comrades Clubs Centenary Year.
However, before I start the review, on a very sad note, although not a Comrades Member, I must mention the recent loss of Vic ‘The Legend’ Hartley. Vic was 87 years old & has been an integral part of Snooker especially within the local Didcot & District Billiards & Snooker League. He has supported this league for the past 30+ years as a Player, Referee & also in the running of the League as Committee Member, Competitions Secretary, Treasurer & passionate supporter of it. He probably spent more time at the Comrades than any other non-member having attended every Semi Final & Final held throughout his years in the Didcot & District. He was a great friend to many & will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Rest in Peace Legend & enjoy your Night Cap.
Club Summary
The Tanner Trophy for Players Player of the Season was proudly received by Phil Collins who set new records throughout the year. He finished the season on immaculate 100% as he was undefeated in all Team matches. He broke the Golden 1,000 in December (a month earlier than the previous benchmark of January!). He accumulated over 2,000 points scored in the season. He made 42 breaks of 25 & above, including a League Highest & Club Highest. He raised the bar in virtually every stat within the Club. He had his first Gold Leaf moment winning the Club Singles & doubled up with the Club Billiards. He won the Greene King & Gilbert Shepherd tournaments in the same year so he appropriately celebrated all these achievements on his birthday...
...which was the date of the annual end-of-season all-day Gilbert Shepherd Memorial Shield tournament, where he duly retained the GSMS Title with Simon Ellam as valiant Runner Up.
The annual Greene King all-day tournament has now become more Autumn than pre-season. It was won by Dave Rowe who beat Alan Milton 2-0 in a rescheduled final on the Monday night, as we ran out of time on the Saturday of the tournament (first time ever!).
The Bill Billingham High Break Trophy for highest break in match-play was won by Phil Collins with an impressive 89 in the home league match v Fawley.
House Competitions
The Veterans Final was won by Simon Ellam who won on the black in the deciding frame v Pete Billingham.
The Billiards Final was won by Rob House who reached the 250 point target before Simon Ellam in a very closely fought match.
The Doubles was won by Tom Hamilton-Williams & Kev Higgs who beat ever-green & ever-keen stalwart pairing of Hugh Baker & Alan Wells. They won 2-0 with Tom knocking in a sizeable 53 break in the opener. This was also a first Comrades Gold Leaf moment for Kev (AKA Cuz). Very well done & welcome to ‘the club’.
The Drawn Pairs was won by Jon Hawkins & Adam Goddard who beat fancied pairing of Rob House & Neil Tolley for Adam’s first Club Title. Congratulations Adam & good ‘choice’ of partner.
The Singles was won by Stuart Foley who beat Dave Rowe 2-1 for his very first Comrades Gold Leaf moment. What a First! Very well done Stu.
Thank you to the Chairman, Brian Orton for organising all of the house competitions & Simon Ellam for organising Finals Day. Certainly a lot less hectic than squeezing all the matches into a Finals Night.
League Summary
The A Team won & retained the Premier Division Title for the 6th consecutive year. A fabulous achievement in the Comrades Centenary Year. Part 1 done.
The B Team finished 4th in the Premier Division, which is a hugely creditable achievement given the sadly reducing size of the squad.
The C Team won the Division 1 Title with a week to spare. Another fantastic achievement & accolade for Wallingford Comrades in its Centenary Year. And testament to their new Skipper, Baz Alexander & his able deputies, but especially for their application & team spirit.
In the Chairman’s Cup the C Team faced Fawley in the Final which was held at Wantage. Although the C’s had white-washed Fawley 5-0 in their league match a couple of weeks before in clinching the First Division Title, Fawley got their revenge as they won the Final, 3-1.
In the Jim Taylor Plate Cup, Wallingford B made it through as the first Wallingford team to make this Cup Final, held at RAF Benson. In it they faced Abingdon RBL & although level after 2 frames, the B Team sadly succumbed, 3-1.
In the John Evans Cup the A Team faced tough opponents in the form of the re-formed Wantage B, the Final being held at Fawley. Despite going 0-1 down they grittily fought back to win, 3-1 to add the Cup to their Premiership Title. Part 2 was complete & the ‘T’ word was on!
The season finale was the Jim Taylor Cup Final & the A Team faced their old protagonists Wantage A at Barn Club, Didcot. Chasing the coveted Treble & with Wallingford having gone 2-0 up they decided to do it the hard way. After a valiant fight back to 2-2 by Wantage, Dave Rowe faced World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association Seniors Tour semi-professional, Neil Craycraft in the deciding frame. Rowey played superb, winning convincingly 97-43, sealing the Cup & with it the elusive Treble. Part 3... Done!
This was a momentous achievement by the A Team in adding the Jim Taylor Cup to the John Evans Cup, which will look fabulous in our Club Trophy cabinet next to the Premier Division Trophy - the much coveted Treble! This feat has not been achieved by a Wallingford team since the A Team of the 1989-90 seasons ‘History Making’ first Treble Winners. To recapture it in our Clubs Centenary Year... perfect!
The Premier Division High Break Trophy was won for the third year in succession by Phil Collins, who knocked in a sublime 89 break v Gordon Izzard of Fawley.
Both the One Frame Shoot Out & Doubles Shoot Out Tournaments were sadly not run this year due to lack of entries.
In the Captains Cup last Wallingford player standing was Pete Billingham. He bowed out in the Semi Finals to the reigning holder & eventual winner, Laurence Harvey of Marlborough A.
In the Billiards Wallingford were guaranteed the trophy with the Semi Finals containing 4 Wallingford players. Dave Baker & Pete Billingham made it to the Final which was held at Fawley. Bakes regained the trophy after a years sabbatical & retained it for Wallingford after Rob House’s success last year. Very worthy successors.
In the Over 50s Wallingford were also guaranteed the title with A Team team-mates Nigel Barker & Pete Billingham facing each other in the Final, also held at Fawley. It was a gritty battle which Pete won, 3-0 making a sizeable 47 break in the last frame & lifted the title for the first time.
In the Novices Cup Alan Milton played very well to reach the Final which was held at Abingdon RBL. Sadly he was Runner Up to Mark Andrews of Wantage A by a 0-3 score-line.
In the 2 Man Team two Wallingford Pairs made it to the Semi Finals & Finals Night, held at Wallingford. A Team team-mates pairings of Phil Collins & Tom Hamilton-Williams and Pete Billingham & Kevin Higgs made it through their respective Semis to face each other in the Final, guaranteeing that this Trophy was also coming back to Wallingford. Phil made telling breaks of 42 & 45 in the opening 40 minutes v Cuz & Pete made a 60 v Tom, but it wasn’t enough to stop Phil & Tom lifting trophy for a 3rd successive year.
The Doubles Cup was another guaranteed to be Wallingford bound as it was an A v B match. Andy Rance & Rob House from the B Team faced Pete Billingham & Kevin Higgs of the A Team in the Final, held at Wallingford where Pete & Kev won 3-1.
The Blue Riband Singles Final was a re-match of the Over 50s Final, which may be a harsh confirmation to the reality that we’re all getting older. Nigel Barker faced team-mate Pete Billingham in the Final which was played at Wallingford. Nigel played superbly & won by a 3-1 score-line to lift the trophy for the first time. Having been Runner Up several times to his ex-team mate Ollie Hoeblyn back in his Oracle days, it was testament to how hard Nigel has practiced this season to get his game back. Very well done Bagger.
Wallingford Comrades Snooker Players will be collecting no less than 18 trophies this year at the AGM & Presentation Night at the Marlborough Club. That consists of 10 prestigious Winners & 8 valiant Runners Up trophies. This is a wonderful & momentous achievement by all the Teams, Pairs & Individuals & a record trophy haul by the Comrades, appropriately in our Clubs Centenary Year.
Acknowledgements
I would like to offer thanks to Kev Higgs as A Team Vice-Captain, Andy Rance as B Team Captain & All Day Tournaments Organiser, Baz Alexander as C Team Captain plus his able deputy, Vice-Captain Mark Tinsey. They all put in tireless hours & much thankless hard work. I know just how much you all have done & what time, effort & organisational skills (& stress) is involved. Thank you.
I would also like to thank ALL of the snooker players for their efforts & enthusiasm throughout the year. You have all represented the Comrades Club to our highest traditions & achieved a record breaking year, very well done. And without you guys there wouldn’t be competitions & I would have nothing to post on the Snooker Blog or FaceBook.
The Comrades hosted Semi Finals & Finals of the 2 Person Team, plus the Finals of the Doubles & Singles events. The quality of the tables was commented on throughout the season by many players from visiting clubs who are envious of our excellent facilities.
The snooker players would like to thank the Comrades Club & the Committee for their continued investment in our facilities. These have seen another good sustained return in revenue throughout the year. Compared with other Clubs we are in an enviable position of having a plethora of players who all have a healthy appetite for competition, dedication & loyalty to this Club. This is to be commended & encouraged as hopefully this enthusiasm & our continued successes will entice more new members, snooker players & ultimately teams to bolster the D&DB&SL.
A huge Thank You to John Beardsley for his tireless high quality maintenance & preparation of the tables. No job is too big or small & without him the Snooker Tables would not be kept to such a consistent high quality.
And a massive Thank You to our wonderful Club Stewards Oz & Lucy & their bar staff. Their hospitality extended to the away teams & also the consistent high quality of the food has been top notch. We have always had a great reputation for our snooker suppers, so much so that other Clubs now feel obliged to reciprocate & host us with hot food, so thank you. Your influence is beyond these four walls.
Also a very special ‘Shout Out’ to all the WAGS, AKA Snooker Widows. Without your understanding & support the players & teams would not have achieved all that they have. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives, thank you.
Finally, thank you to all of the Social Media Snooker Readers. The Club runs Snooker pages on both Facebook & also the Snooker Blog & both prove very popular with lots of healthy banter & comments.
And lastly, Gavin Twigg of the Centenary Committee would not let me close this review without a plug for the Centenary Snooker Event. Tickets are still available for the Steve Davis Exhibition Night on Sunday 23rd June 2019 at £30 each, just click the Events link on the Clubs Website.
Have a great summer break & see you all in September when we start the 2019-20 Season.
Comrades Snooker Rep & A Team Captain, Pete Billingham.
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