Victorian Snooker & Billiards Association 2004 report.                                         Page 1

 

Pennant A Grade Snooker

Brunswick White were the minor premiers but did not finish in the grand final. Yarraville – Dan Thorp (Captain) Ray Kelleher, Rob Ganson, Gary Nunn, Jason Parsons, Mike Orr, defeated Cheltenham – Aaron Mahoney, Rod Nelson (Captain), Peter Gray, Sean Partridge, Daryl Tippett, Justin Holland, Sam Fitgerald as reserve.

Highlights – Neil Robertson high Break 131 ( Neil made 3 consecutive 100+ breaks, we believe this is the first time this has happened in the VBSA competitions history ). George Spiteri won most frames with 39. Most Improved Player my vote goes to Sean Partridge from Cheltenham.

 

Pennant B Grade Snooker

Fast Eddies were the minor premiers but were defeated in the grand final. Cheltenham – Ron Cole (Captain) Keith Jacobsen, Tony Fridman, Sam Fitgerald, Bernie Partridge, Christian Walkerden, defeated Fast Eddies – Tony Masci, Sam Filiadis (Captain), Shane Charles, Jimmy Janasu, Luke Crossin, Leo Ramman.

Highlights – Tony Masci & Paul Cosgriff high Break 67. Tony Masci won most frames with 38. Most Improved Player, my vote goes to  Ky Hyunh from Princes.

 

State C1 Grade Snooker

Princes Blue were the minor premiers and went on to win the grand final. Princes Blue – Wang Huang (Captain) Ben Leung, Chan Chun Wai, Chan Chun Ho, defeated Rackemup – Mathew Ratcliffe, David Dodd (Captain), Marshall Lever, Keith Jarvis.

Highlights – Dennis Skamangas high Break 44. Ben Leung won most frames with 36. Most Improved Player, my vote goes to Ben Leung from Princes.

 

State C2 Grade Snooker

Red Triangle were the minor premiers by a long way and went on to win the grand final. Red Triangle – Terry Rushford (Captain) Sumit Kapoor, Terry Rushford, Chris Hansen, defeated Cheltenham – Dino Handros (Captain), Joe Grande, Jason Rengasamy, Julian Pelei.

Highlights – Campbell Davies high Break 47. Andy Choi won most frames with 30. Most Improved Player, my vote goes to Campbell Davies from Cheltenham.

 

Pennant A Grade Billiards

There was a 3 way tie for 2nd & 3rd places with Cheltenham & Kooyong going into the finals with a very disappointed Yarraville (last years premiers) finishing out of the finals. RACV were the minor premiers and looked certainties to win the flag but were defeated by a solid team performance in the grand final. Cheltenham – Rod Nelson, Peter Gray, Ron Cole(Captain) Mac Rynkeiwicz, (I must learn to spell Mac’s surname) Justin Holland, Keith Jacobsen, defeated RACV – David Collins, Ian Gilbee (Captain), Nino Psaila, Mike Wollin, Brian Moulday, Alan Symonds.

Highlights – Steve Mifsud high Break 204. Alan Croft won most games with 18. Most Improved Player, my vote goes to Justin Holland from Cheltenham, Justin made his first 100+ break with a 110.

 

Pennant B Grade Billiards

Princes were the minor premiers and with the top 3 players with most games in their side looked certainties to win the flag, however their captain Dick Reilly injured his knee and could not play in the grand final, should we call him “Dicky Knee”? They went on to win the flag, but in a very close match. Princes – Patrick Chung, Bruce Peart, Dick Reilly (Captain),  Tessa Russel, Elliott Katz (Res), defeated Cheltenham – Hugh Martin, Brian Bell, John Walters(Captain), Ron James.

Highlights – Patrick Chung high Break 77. Patrick Chung and Bruce Peart won most games with 24. Most Improved Player, my vote would have to go to Patrick Chung.

 

Willis A Grade Snooker                                                                                Page 2

Cheltenham were the minor premiers by a long way and looked certainties to win the flag and did just that. Cheltenham – Aaron Mahoney, Rod Nelson (Captain), Sean Partridge, Sam Fitzgerald, Christian Walkerden (Res), defeated Yarraville – Henry Lau, Kevin Stone (Captain), Jason Parsons, Rod Mc Lelland Alex Alabakus.

Highlights – Chris Christofi  high Break 81. Sean Partridge won most games with 36. Most Improved Player, my vote would have to go to Sean Partridge, “Great year Sean”.

 

Willis B Grade Snooker

Princes Blue were the minor premiers by 16 games and looked certainties to win the flag, however Brunswick surprised in a high standard grand final. Brunswick – Charlie Lowe, Geoff Le Strange, Kun Chuah, Wayne Jacobsen, Manny Sanos (Captain), defeated Princes Blue – Tony Lee, (Captain), Ky Hyunh, Justin Tsang, Remus Goh, John Lee (Res).

Highlights – Justin Tsang high Break 80. Tony Lee & Justin Tsang won most games with 29. Most Improved Player, my vote would go to Justin Tsang, see you in A grade next year Justin?

 

Willis C1 Grade Snooker

Brunswick Black were the minor premiers and went on to narrowly win the flag 7-6 in a final that finished very late. Brunswick – Tom Kovacevik (Captain), Paul Egan, Ian Gaines, Vince Cesana, Jordan Trew, defeated Brunswick White – Richard Sheehan (Captain), Dai Hebara, Jehad Bouhbouh, Val Donini, Craig Shephard (Res).

Highlights – Paul Egan & Paul Dixon high Break 40. Tom Kovacevik won most games with 24. Most Improved Player, my vote would go to Val Donini.

 

Willis C2 Grade Snooker

Maccabi were the minor premiers in their first year back in the VBSA for a while and lost a very close final 6-7. St Mary’s  – George Skoutas (Captain), Rob Benedos, Ashraf Sidiqui, James Lim, defeated Maccabi  – Aaron Kolinsky, Jack Zaks, Len Winestone, Didier Rache, Maurice Chilton, David Winestone.

Highlights – Adrian Somerville high Break 35. Jack Zaks and Rob Benedos won most games with 26. Most Improved Player, my vote would go to Jack Zaks from Maccabi. Congratulations go to St Mary’s for their first year in the VBSA, see you in B grade next year?

 

Handicap Snooker Tournaments

Tounament 1, the Robby Foldvari Hçap Snooker Adriam Hung 2 def George Hoy 1, in the first of 3 handicap tournaments for players outside the top 16 in the state.

Tournament 2, the Gary Cullen Hçap Snooker Ben Leung 1 was defeated by Tony Masci 2

Tournament 3, the George Ganim Hçap Snooker Chan Chun Ho 1 was defeated by Chris Walkerden 2. Christian has been dubbed the comeback kid, or was it “Lazarus”, after being gone on more than 1 occasion in the tournament.

These 3 Tournaments appeared to be well received and will be played again next year. The winner of the player of the series award and a share in $1000 were Simon Scerri & Ben Leung. We are going to change the format next year, in that the top 16 qualifiers will be invited to play off in a tournament to decide the player of the series, we would like to try and get a sponsor for this event next year so the $$$’s can be increased, any ideas????

 

Victorian Open Snooker Championship

Aaron Mahoney defeated James Mifsud 6 frames to 1 in a convincing display of quality snooker. Aaron had the highest break (made in the final) for the tournament as well with 124.

 

Victorian Womens Snooker Championship

Marg Gorski defeated Kathy howden 4 frames to 3 in a tense final. Samantha ridley had the highest break for the tournament with 44.

 

Victorian Junior Snooker Championships                                                    Page 3

Under 21         Ben Nunan 4 def David Cosgriff 2

Under 18         Robert Wood 3 def Sam Fitzgerald 2

Under 15         Ben Gorski 3 def Tom Simmons 2

 

West Coast International Snooker Tournament (WA)

Neil Robertson Defeated Adrian Ridley 5 frames to 3. High Break Neil Robertson 141

 

Australian Billiards (Vic)

Open                           Mathew Bolton defeated Joe Minici. Mathew Bolton high Break with 361

National (150 up)       Mathew Bolton Defeated Joe Minici.    Mathew Bolton high Break with 151

Under 21                     S Dixon defeated A Kinghorn. S Dixon high Break with 81

This tournament was held over 7 days at the RACV Club and Congratulations go to Paul Cosgriff for an herculean effort as Tournament Director. Mathew Bolton was the star of the tournament and entertained all those that came to the final with a 300+ break in each of the 3 final sessions.

 

Lance Pannell Classic Snooker Tournament

Neil Robertson Defeated Johl Younger 4 frames to 0. High Break Neil Robertson

 

Fred Osbourne Snooker Tournament

Neil Robertson Defeated Dean O’Kane 4 frames to 2. High Break Steve Mifsud 114

 

At this point Neil Robertson went back to the UK to rejoin the professional circuit, he had entered 3 tournaments for 3 wins and looked unbeatable. Neil had knocked in a 147 at practice at the Brunswick Club and had made 3 consecutive 100+ breaks in pennant, what a talented player!

 

Victorian Womens Billiards (the Ruby Roberts Victorian Billiards Ladies C’ship)

Anna Lynch defeated Tessa Russell by 2 points in an incredibly close match.

 

Dual Winners Handicap Snooker.

A New and Innovative Tournament format that came from Aaron Mahoney. Tournament was restricted to 32 entries only and was played in 1 day. Players eliminated from Main Comp then went to a Second Chance Comp. Prize money was equally divided between Main and Second Chance Comps. Approx $500 prize money expected for each the Main and Second Chance Comps. Seeded players and semi/finalist CANNOT play in the Second Chance Comp. Where a non-seeded player departs the Main Comp, determines where they start in the Second Chance Comp.  The Brunswick Club was the venue for the first Dual Winner Snooker Competition and seemed to be well received by the players. The Main tournament progressed in regular manner with all the seeded players progressing to the quarter final stages apart from Mark Bullen who was beaten by the fast improving Christian Walkerden. Steve and James Mifsud were both knocked out in the semi finals and a very close final was played between Daniel Thorp and Aaron Mahoney with Aaron coming out ahead in the end.

The Second Chance tournament was full of close matches between evenly matched opponents.  After many hard fought wins it was Bernie and Sean Partridge, Boris Godina and Christian Walkerden that made it to the semi finals. Boris and Sean were the victors and played a quality grand final with Boris Godina being the winner. Boris lost his first match in the Main tournament so had to start from the first round in the Second Chance comp and win 6 matches in a row including the final which showed great spirit.

The Third tournament was a best of 3 black ball re-spot which provided some great entertainment. The matches were lightning fast and Joe Sacco proved to be the best by beating Dai Hebara in the final. Darren Didus and Peter Manafavis made it to the semi finals.

 

 

Australian Womens National Snooker Champioship                                   Page 4

Tammy Cantoni defeated Marg Gorski 5 frames to 4 in a very tense final at the Brunswick Club.

 

City of Melbourne Snooker Tournament

Steve Misud defeated his brother James 4 frames to 2, in an incredible final. All those present were treated to some of the best Snooker played on the hallowed number 1 table at Brunswick. The 2 best breaks of the tournament were made in the final, first James with a 109, then in the final frame Steve with 119. The final was all over in under 2 hours with excellent attacking snooker by the brothers. We believe this is the first time brothers have contested the final of an Australian ranking tournament.

 

Victorian Open Billiards Championship

John Schenck defeated David Collins in a close and entertaining final in front of a good crowd at the Brunswick Club. John and David were around 600 all at the end of the first session in a seesawing affair. In the 2nd session John went to around 100 in front with around 30 minutes to go, and stayed there until the bell went, to win his first Vic Billiards Title. David Gallant in defeat, was seeking his 15th title. The smile on John’s face at the presentation said it all, well done John Schenck! Highest break was a 154 by David Collins.

David Cosgriff won the plate event defeating Joe Bonici in an entertaining final, David made a 102 break in the final. Well done David!

 

Alan Croft – Secretary and Score Registrar of the VB&SA

 

 

 

 

The Board of the VB&SA for 2004 were:

 

Ron Cole                        President

Paul Cosgriff                   Vice President & Head of Referees for Victoria

George Hoy                    Treasurer

Alan Croft                       Secretary, Score Registrar and Website Maintenance

Manny Sanos                  Committee Member and Tournament Co-ordinator at the Brunswick Club

Heather Zappia                Junior Co-ordinator

Christian Walkerden        Committee Member

Denis Coghlan                 Committee Member

Graeme Mc Neil              Committee Member

Joe Sacco                       Committee Member

Ben Bain                         Committee Member

 

 

On behalf of the 2004 Board, congratulations go to all involved in 2004 for what we consider as a very successful year. To all those that contributed in any way whatsoever, well done! To the players that made the year so successful, thankyou. Looking forward to great 2005. Let us all accept the challenge, to continue to improve at whatever we do, in the sport we enjoy.