The Canadian Cue Sports Championships got underway on Monday at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax.
The Junior 9-Ball division drew a field of 20 players with favourites Jason Klatt, Jason Thomas, Tom Morel, Jody Swim and Chris McKenzie all remaining undefeated. Ontario's Billy Peters, who finished 3rd last year, was upset in his first match by Tyson Raines from Saskatchewan. Also falling to the B-Side early and eventually being knocked out of the tournament was John Morra. Much was expected from the young Ontario native after a strong showing last year.
The high point though, had to be the play of Jessica MacInnis from Nova Scotia. Being the youngest competitor at 13, and the only female entered in the junior event, Jessica received a rude welcome to her first Canadian Championships on the short end of a 9-0 drubbing by Ontario's Tom Morel. However, on the B-side, Jessica did the host province proud by showing great composure and using simple, but effective position play, to pull out a hill-hill victory over Alberta's junior champion Spencer Auigbelle.
A one day Junior Snooker event was held on Sunday August 17th. 6 players participated with Jason Klatt being crowned this year's champ. Congratulations to Jason.
The Open Snooker event also kicked off on Monday with 29 players playing in round robin matches. We will have results from those matches on Tuesday night. The Men's 9-Ball division kicks off on Friday with 64 of Canada's finest battling it out. The field includes such Canadian notables as Danny Hewitt, Paul Potier, Jeff Kennedy, Cliff Thorburn, Alain Martel, Ron Wiseman, Luc Salvas, Alex Pagulayan and defending champion John Horsfall. Top finishers from this year's tournament gain the right to represent Canada at next years World Pool Championship.
The ladies 9-Ball division also gets underway on Friday with such notables as MaryAnn McConnell, Anita Kuczma, Maureen Seto, Chantal Vezina, and defending champion Catherine Garon.
We will have coverage and results of all of the divisions all week from Canada. Special thanks to Craig Teal, the Director with Cue Sports Nova Scotia.
