CUELESS WONDER SEAN DEFENDS HIS TITLE AT JAXX

SEAN DOBNEY . . . the cueless wonder retained his title

THE annual Christmas Snooker Shootout Night saw an excellent turnout of 14 players contest the usual mixture of fun based novelty competitions, all played in the best possible spirit at Jaxx Q Club in Belper.
Edgefold No 2's Sean Dobney had earlier suffered a blow when, as defending champion in the six red singles handicap event for the Alan Hopkinson Trophy, his cue had not arrived in transit with friends as requested after dashing straight from work.
However, he need not have worried, as black ball wins over Keith Robertson and Gordon Critchlow (courtesy of a storming double into a baulk pocket) sandwiched a success over Wayne Shooter, meaning he once again found himself in the final.
Opponent Duncan Harwood had earlier seen off Nick Kay, Steve Bullock and Tom Chambers and made the stronger start to take an early lead in the big showdown.
However a crucial in off on the brown changed the contest dramatically, leaving Dobney in hand with all the remaining balls in the open and the reigning champ made no mistake, clearing brown to pink to make sure of retaining his crown.


 

 

The George Mills Trophy for the six red doubles handicap event was won by Alfreton Palmer Morewood pairing Simon Mayes and Jamie Rowland (pictured above), who arrived together and were drawn together as if by fate, the team mates' telepathic understanding going a long way to seeing them to glory as they defeated Paul Jarrett and Keith Robertson and Steve Bullock and Ricki Slack before getting the better of Mark Newby and Tom Chambers in the final.

KEITH ROBERTSON ... fastest man on the block

And the speed snooker event which involves clearing the colours in head to head battles went to Bolehill No 2's Keith Robertson, whose two-stone weight loss diet over the summer may well have proved conclusive, as he potted a sublime black to secure the Eddie Lomas Trophy, thereby seeing off ex champion Nick Kay in the final.
Keith had earlier overcome Duncan Harwood, Matt Travis and Tom Chambers on his way to ultimate success.
The event was run in aid of charity this year with a donation in aid of sufferers of Crohn's Disease and Colitis.
Thanks are extended once again to the hosts for providing all the facilities and providing a very appetising spread of hot food at the interval.

Alan Hopkinson Trophy (Six red Snooker Individual Handicap): Winner, Sean Dobney (Edgefold Matlock No 2); Runner-up, Duncan Harwood (Edgefold Matlock No 1).
George Mills Trophy (Six red Snooker Pairs Handicap): Winners, Jamie Rowland and Simon Mayes (Alfreton Palmer Morewood); Runners-up, Mark Newby (Belper Strutt Club) and Tom Chambers (Edgefold Matlock No 2).
Eddie Lomas Trophy (Speed Snooker Handicap, clearing the colours): Winner, Keith Robertson (Bolehill Institute No 2); Runner-up, Nick Kay (Matlock Golf Club).