Hallworth Goes Back-to-Back on the English Amateur Tour

Steven Hallworth extended his lead at the top of the national rankings and maintained his 100% record on this season’s English Amateur Snooker Tour after he pipped Kuldesh Johal 4-3 in the final to win Event Two.

Following his Event One success at the Landywood Snooker Club last month, Hallworth has now claimed consecutive Tour titles and is on a 12-match winning streak. 

Held at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, the latest event on the national circuit attracted a high-quality field of 80 entrants that featured rising young stars, top amateur talents and several ex-professionals, including former ranking event winner Tony Knowles. 

Hallworth began his campaign with victories against Nigel Clarke (4-1) and former European under-21 finalist Hayden Staniland (4-0).

In the last 16 he defeated last season’s triple event winner and national number one George Pragnell 4-2, registering a run of 137 in the third frame – an effort that would stand as the tournament’s highest break. 

Returning on Sunday for Finals Day, the 27-year-old overhauled a 2-0 deficit as he eliminated Craig Bulter 4-2 in the last eight before denying Craig Steadman 4-2 in the semi-finals. 

Local cueist Johal was making his first appearance on the 2023/24 Tour. The 43-year-old dispatched Event One runner-up Ryan Davies 4-0 and then recorded further victories against Gary Milne (4-1) and Peter Lines (4-0). 

In the last four, Johal scored breaks of 71 and two 55s before finishing off a 4-1 win over Patrick Whelan with a 101.

A final between two players who have both been on the sport’s top tier, Hallworth made an ideal start as breaks of 68 and 59 helped put him 2-0 up. Johal responded with a 69 in frame three as he halved the deficit, but Hallworth claimed the next to go one away from the finish line. 

Johal replied by taking the next two frames to force the contest all the way, but for the second time this term Hallworth survived a title match deciding frame to secure a brilliant double. 

Event Three on the 2023/24 English Amateur Snooker Tour is set to take place at the Crucible Reading on the weekend of November 18 & 19.