The EPSB Weekly | Brown, Deaville, Ullah and Blackwell All Win

Three different circuits on the EPSB scene recommenced last weekend with events on the Seniors Tour, Under-21 Premier Development Tour and Open Series all taking place.

Brown is Brilliant at Barratts

Wayne Brown was the star of the show at the Barratts Club in Northampton as he claimed both Seniors Tour Events 3 and 4.

The current English national seniors champion won 11 consecutive matches across the weekend – an incredible feat on a very competitive circuit.

Brown was in menacing scoring form early on in Event 3 on Saturday, dispatching Mark Peevers, Anthony Massey and Norman Bradley all 3-0.

In the quarter-finals he recovered from dropping the opening frame to defeat Shaun Wilkes 3-2 before ousting Sean Ward 4-3 in the last four. In the final which was heldover to the following morning, Brown came back from 3-1 down to deny opponent James Brown on the final black ball in the decider.

Not content with just one title, Brown immediately continued his hot streak in Event 4 where he eliminated John Snape 3-1, David Brown 3-0, James Brown – again – 3-2 and then Stuart Watson 4-0 to reach another final.

There, he faced Wilkes, another decorated champion at this level. This final also needed all seven frames, with Brown emerging successful again, this time on the final pink.

Brown’s double victory sees him follow in the footsteps of Simon Bedford – who completed the Events 1 and 2 weekend double in Hull in September – and move to the top of the Seniors Tour rankings. Brown also made the highest break of Event 3 – a 105, whilst Bedford had the high break accolade in Event 4 with a 127.

Deaville and Ullah are Champions

Paul Deaville and Lewis Ullah were the latest winners on the Under-21 Premier Development Tour at Frames in Coulsdon, meaning there have been different winners of all four events so far.

English under-16 champion Deaville kept his fantastic spell of great form going in Event 3. A memorable last 16 finisher at the BetVictor English Open earlier in the month and a runner-up on the Open Series last weekend, Deaville now has a title this season to his name.

The 17-year-old defeated Event 2 winner and rankings leader Stan Moody 3-0 and then Luke Pinches in the last 16 by the same scoreline. In the quarter-finals he edged past former European under-21 finalist Hayden Staniland 3-2 before ending the hopes of Joe Fenton 4-1 in the semis.

In the final he came up against Event 1 winner Jenson Kendrick. The opening four frames were shared, but Deaville chalked up the final two to record a 4-2 success.

In Sunday’s Event 4, the consistent Ullah collected another tour title at this level, and like Deaville did the day before, he dropped only five frames in five matches.

Ullah pipped Halim Hussain 3-2 first up before 3-1 and 3-0 wins over Michael Roberts and Liam Pullen respectively. In the last four, Ullah claimed the final two frames to negotiate Pinches 4-2.

His opponent in the final was English under-14 champion Moody who is already looking at home during his first Premier Development Tour campaign. However, Ullah handled his young rival, recording a 4-0 win to take the top prize.

Moody’s run to the final, though, pushes him back up to top spot in the rankings after Kendrick (who was briefly in first) and Fenton temporarily overtook him after Event 3.

Throughout the weekend, seven different players made centuries. Kendrick crafted the highest in Event 3 (139), whilst Harry Andrew Gosney’s 133 was the reference point in Event 4.

Blackwell is Back Winning at Sams

Simon Blackwell enjoyed another trip to Sams Snooker & Pool in Hartlepool as he made it back-to-back Open Series victories at the venue.

A winner there last month, Blackwell extending his winning streak at the venue in the Series to nine matches and pushed himself into fourth place in the overall rankings. The top four eligible players at the end of the season will all secure free Q School entries.

Blackwell defeated Stephen Place 3-1, Brandon Hall 3-2 and Kayden Brierley 3-1 (with breaks of 127 – the highest of the day – 56 and 68) before leaving final opponent Richard Beckham pointless in two of the frames during a 3-0 triumph.

This weekend there are four Open Series events scheduled – Barratts – Northampton (Saturday) and Breakers – Leicester, Cueball – Derby, Tradewell, Hull (Sunday). Please visit snookerscores.net for further info and to enter in advance.