Rob Chilton
Rob Chilton became the latest player to print his name into the 2021 Apply Mortgages Ultimate Pool Masters last 16 draw after winning group four of the event on Monday evening.
The former European and International Masters champion enjoyed an eventful night at the Players Pool and Snooker Lounge in front of the live FreeSports TV cameras. In a contest like never seen before, Chilton’s campaign began against 16-time world darts champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor who was invited to the tournament as a special wildcard replacing Darren Appleton who withdrew.
One of Britain’s most recognisable sporting figures and the greatest darts player of all time, the enormity of Taylor’s task was instantly made apparent as Chilton completed a break and dish in the opening frame. Potteries local Taylor exhibited some baizecraft in an intriguing second frame where he held the upper hand for the majority of it before his rival’s tactical nous came through at the end.
Taylor later potted balls on two successful breaks – and got down to the 8-ball in frame eight – but Chilton had far too much for him as he recorded a professional 8-0 victory.
The entertainment in Newcastle-under-Lyme started with a generational clash between Geo Edgar and Carl Morris. Promising teenager Edgar wasn’t even close to being born when Morris claimed his world championship title in 1998.
Scotland’s Edgar – European under-15 champion in 2019 – settled his nerves by taking the first frame after his opponent failed to double the black, but Morris quickly recovered with a reverse dish and a break dish to move 2-1 up. The pair then traded frames across the next six with Morris chalking up a further two break dishes while Edgar made one.
At 5-4 down and with little time left on the 50-minute clock, Edgar needed to win frame 10 to stay in the tie. It appeared as if the youngster was going to break and clear again, but – seemingly having done the hard work – he unexpectedly missed, allowing Morris to run down the clock.
Former world number one Morris registered some impressive stats within the match, successfully potting balls off all five of his breaks, constructing a trio of break dishes and a reverse dish.
THE GROUP FINAL
The final brought together two cueists with vast experience on the top tier of English 8-ball pool and it was predictably close with never more than a frame between them.
Morris opened his account first but a skill shot helped Chilton level in frame two before a break dish in the third put him 2-1 ahead.
It was then Morris’ turn to break dish in frame four and he reclaimed pole position when reverse clearing from his opponent’s dry break in the fifth.
The contest continued to see-saw; Chilton squared up at 3-3 and then break dished for 4-3. ‘Houdini’ Morris sensationally potted a ball out of a snooker on his way to making it 4-4 only for ‘Bobby’ to complete his third break and clearance of the match to regain control.
Time then running out, frame ten was a very scrappy affair which played into the hands of Chilton. Morris managed to create a last-gasp chance but desperately fell two open balls short on a clearance when the match clock expired meaning Chilton advanced via a slender 5-4 triumph.
Last night’s outcome means the line-up for the first last 16 group is now known. Chilton will face former world champion Phil Harrison and five-time Shootout event winner Jordan Shepherd takes on recent Vinny Champions League Pool victor Chris Melling.
