Craig Waddingham
A majestic Craig Waddingham dropped only two frames throughout the entire evening as he won Group 11 of the 2021 Apply Mortgages Ultimate Pool Masters and qualified for the last 16.
The former World Masters and Premier League winner produced a stunning performance that included five break dish finishes, as the tournament passed its halfway point.
In the opening match of the night at the Players Pool and Snooker Lounge, Waddingham inflicted an 8-0 defeat on teenager Ryan Davies – the second whitewash of the event so far.
Snooker hotshot Davies missed a tough black in the opening frame for a reverse dish and that’s as good as it got for the youngster, as his fellow left-handed opponent relentlessly charged to the finish line before the final ten minutes klaxon had a chance to sound.
In the second tie of the evening, Jake-Dylan Newlove also put on an impressive display as he came back from two frames down to eliminate Shaun Storry.
Newlove began with intent – a break dish in the opening frame – but former Bulldog Security Challenge winner Storry claimed the next three to move 3-1 in front.
However, former Under-23 Nations Cup champion Newlove got into a serious rhythm, stringing together six consecutive frames – climaxing with a break dish followed by a reverse dish – to completely turn the tables and advance 7-3.
WHOA, WADDINGHAM!
The group final had a local derby feeling to it as Scunthorpe’s Waddingham and Hull’s Newlove faced off for a spot in the second phase.
Newlove went into the match with a rotten record against his opponent. He settled his nerves with a reverse dish in the opening frame, but former World Championship finalist Waddingham chalked up the next three to take control.
Looking to replicate what he did in his previous match, Newlove was on course to reduce his arrears in frame five before miscueing on the black. Waddingham duly punished, and just like his first match, he pressed home the advantage to record a convincing 8-2 victory.
It is only the second time in the tournament so far that a player has reached the target of eight frames in both their matches. Unsurprisingly, no-one has dropped fewer frames so far.
Waddingham legally potted from five of his nine breaks throughout the night. From those five successful breaks, he went on to clear at that visit.
