Scott Gillespie
Reigning World and European Blackball Champion Scott Gillespie made an impressive return to big-stage action as he won Group 14 of the 2021 Apply Mortgages Ultimate Pool Masters in front of the live FreeSports TV cameras.
Prior to the sport’s enforced lockdown some 16 months ago, Gillespie was arguably the most in-form player on the planet. The Scot pretty much picked up from where he left off, though, living up to expectations and booking a last 16 date with Arfan Dad next month.
The night in Newcastle-under-Lyme began with exciting teenage prospect Kian Monaghan recording the third whitewash of the event so far to eliminate Moroccan International Karim Berrada.
Both players were late replacements to the competition and it was former Under-15 Nations Cup Champion Monaghan who grabbed the opportunity with both hands, producing two break dishes and capitalising on errors from his opponent to win with more than 21 minutes remaining on the clock.
The second tie of the evening was a meeting between Gillespie and 2012 World Champion John Roe – one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the first round. The pair did not disappoint as they put on a high-quality display.
Gillespie crafted a superb finish in the opening frame and Roe responded with back-to-back break dishes in frames two and four – sandwiching a break dish from Gillespie in frame three.
However, the Larkhall cueist went on a four-frame winning streak (including a reverse dish and a break dish) to take control at 6-2 up. ‘The Ringer’ did not give in – constructing two reverse dishes in the next three frames – but Gillespie reached the allotted target with just under a minute remaining to go through as an 8-4 winner.
GLORY FOR GILLESPIE
An intriguing contest bringing together a current World Champion and a rising star aiming to reach those heights in the future, experience comfortably overcame youth.
Monaghan had opportunities to get a foothold early on in the match, but missed pots cost him dear as a clinical Gillespie punished the youngster to go 4-0 up.
Two-time Supreme Pool Series event winner at this Players Pool and Snooker Lounge venue in 2018, Gillespie then chalked up a break dish followed by a reverse dish to move 6-0 ahead before moving on the hill at 7-0.
To Manchester-based Monaghan’s credit he compiled a rapid break dish in frame eight to avoid the same fate he had inflicted on Berrada earlier on, but Gillespie soon wrapped up an 8-1 victory with his fourth break dish of the group in the ninth.
Next week’s action features another one of the sport’s current world champions – six-time winner Michael Hill – who will face 2016 world title holder Shaun Chipperfield in a mouthwatering affair.
