Nicky Griffiths
As an added bonus (?) for you all I have previewed the Amateur Final which will start our Sunday at 12 midday (UK time) live on the Channel 4 YouTube channel.
Anyone who thinks the amateur section is something they could just stroll though is sadly mistaken (I should know – I was handed mine on a plate when I tried), as we are basically talking the next level down from the professionals, with many of them striving to join the pro ranks in the years ahead.
Ages differed from the “experienced” to the newbies who are only just starting out on their long pool career, but with 157 entries it was always going to take the usual mixture of skill, stamina, and the roll of the balls to come out on top, and so it proved as we moved to the final four on Saturday evening.
Those who read my preview will have been shocked to see Nicky Griffiths (my tip) was still in contention, but he had to see off Lee Shepherd if he wanted to go any further, while Matt Schofield faced off with Wayne Fryer in the other semi-final with all four looking forward to a good night’s sleep before (hopefully) resuming battle in the morning.
Wayne had been the surprise package last season but Matt never let him settle in their semi before strolling home 7-1 to book his place, with Nicky joining him some time later after a tougher battle before he came through 7-3 – and had to rush straight off to play in the open, no peace for the wicked!
Trying to call the final was never going to be easy but I am in the great position of having backed one finalist already so no need to jump ship just yet – all I can do now is sit back and hope for the best with pool the overall winner – this should be a final well-worth watching regardless of who comes out on top.
