Snooker Season 2021/22

Joe_ Public

It's no weather for it but it all gets underway today with the Championship League kicking off in Leicester. Ranking event, 128 players, 32 groups of 4, winners progressing to Stage 2.

No huge interest but Aaron Hills group is on tomorrow so will keep an eye on that. In with Scott Donaldson, Alex Ursenbacher and fellow munsterman, Leo Fernandez. Big season ahead for Aaron as he fights to retain his tour place so a couple of good early results would be huge for confidence.

Interesting no sign of world champ selby given it's being staged in his home town but otherwise, nearly all the big names are in the field.

zuutroy

Such a bad idea to start a new season with everyone's least favourite tournament...in July. Even the TV companies aren't interested.

Joe_ Public

It's on Free Sports tv which i think is only available in the uk, is it Premier Sport over here? Not too sure.

Anyway, hill is 1 out of 2 and will have to beat Leo later to have a chance of progressing. Still in the mix.

mrunsure

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117633520#Comment_117633520

Freesports is still on eir

https://www.eir.ie/tv/channels/

Freesports is free to air on Astra 2E.

The organisers consider Ireland to be served by Freesports according to

https://championshipleaguesnooker.co.uk/watch/

matchroom.live is showing Table 2 everywhere but Table 1 only in places where there is no TV coverage.

Joe_ Public

Draw is out for next month's British Open. Open draw format so got world final rerun first off between Selby and Murphy. Aaron got a nice one v Jimmy.

But there's one tie that stands out like the proverbial sore thumb from the others. Mark Allen v Reanne Evans.

Actually not sure snooker could throw up a greater grudge encounter. Thinking there's got to be a chance this one doesn't get played!

El_Duderino 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117674528#Comment_117674528

Glad to see Mark Allen back but didn't he take a career break? Seems his break lasted as long as the off-season. Maybe it was something to do with the bankruptcy. Can he retire and reinvent himself as a new company?

Unfortunate draw against Reanne. Mark is likely to have the best of the encounter.

Glenman

I see Doherty is playing in the second round of the Champions league today. He's just beaten Matthew Stevens 3-0. Was this the tournament he done well in last season?

mrunsure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117738847#Comment_117738847

Yep, he got to the final group stage and just failed to make the best of 5 final.

Just noticed that it's showing the Championship League on Free Sports Live on Sky. Tom Ford playing Jimmy Robertson, and the car manufacturer is a frame to the good; in what appears to be a 'best of 4'... Ford misses a sitter of a black when on 19 in frame 2, and now Robertson is at the missing craic, when he couldn't dispatch a relatively easy red. Reds not in great positions atm, so though Ford is back in, is not guaranteed to clear up... And he misses a red after a poor positional shot. 33-22 to Ford, and a nice long red from Forde after Jimmy played a moderate safety to baulk. Almost at 40 points now is Tom - frame not over yet though.

2-0 to Ford bar shouting

Coverage over at 4. Back on at 5, and showing the Trump/S Carrington match,,

Ford wins 3-0 against Robertson, who couldn't capitalise on his numerous chances. A fluke left Ford in in the last frame, and he managed to make a framewinning break..

Joe_ Public

Cao Yupeng showing a bit of early season form on return from his enforced sabbatical. Interesting.

WD to Dave Gilbert on beating Mark Allen to win his first ranking event! Going for that long red nearly cost him, but Allen eventually ran out of position (when playing for the yellow, I think)... He didn't do any big song or dance after winning (the way the lads on comms were going; one would have half expected him to be jumping around or punching the air 😁).. It wasn't the most diverting, or entertaining of TV, for the little I saw of it; owing in no small part to there being no crowd there 😍 No wonder Dave wasn't jumping around - bet he would have felt like a right idiot with no-one to celebrate with.😁 Even his wife was at a party in Selby's house 😂

Joe_ Public

Fair play to Dave. Not far off as minor a title as you can get, but a title is a title when you don't already have one to your name! And given the particularly horrendous season he had last year, what better way to kick off the new one than this? Am sure there are even better things to come.

El_Duderino 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117754949#Comment_117754949

Yeah I was very disappointed with his season last year. He looked like he got close to the edge of being a top player, peeped over the edge and couldn't take the pressure so he backed off. I'd be happy to see him kick on and become a tip top man. Seems like a likeable guy.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117755154#Comment_117755154

The lockdown seemed to have a big effect on him, obviously same for everyone but Dave just didn't cope with it mentally, by his own admission. Don't think his form could have been that bad for any other reason.

Anyway, season kicks up a gear with British Open making its return to the calendar tomorrow. Aaron playing Jimmy in the afternoon, extensive coverage on ITV all week.

Matches over Best of 5, though, which totally sucks.

ArmaniJeanss

Mark Allen v Rheanne Evans is scheduled for TV on the Monday evening, second game up.

Joe_ Public

The "grudge" match is all over the papers today, big piece in yesterday's Sunday Times about it. Reanne already paying back her card in terms of media coverage anyway!

Genghis

15 reds and 15 blacks, all the colours makes a maxi for slimmed down John Higgins ... In the opening frame of the tournament by the "defending champion".

Great start.

Joe_ Public

That's as basic a 147 as you'll see. Never looked in much doubt from early on. Must've shed 2-3 stone by the looks of it, certainly looking good anyway is John Boy!

dobman88

That was fantastic. 1st frame of the first match. Unreal stuff.

El_Duderino 09

White vs Hill on now. White took the first frame

Edit. The match is over. It must have been a replay

The Nal

Wow Higgins looks great fair play to him. Looks a lot more nimble around the table. Should make things easier for him.

Rothko

Trump barely scrapes through. Thought he was gone a couple of times there.

Joe_ Public

Some very animated people among that audience tonight!

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764313#Comment_117764313

Seems to be 1 chap in particular doing all the shouting and its it's coming across more as against Mark than support for Rheanne.

Surely a couple of warnings to relax mid frame or yer out. Applaud, cheer and whatever when she wins a frame.

Rothko

Good to see Reanne take a frame.

BorneTobyWilde

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

https://twitter.com/Rob_Maul/status/1427369395672821767

https://twitter.com/Rob_Maul/status/1427369395672821767

Joe_ Public

Mark's a little bit rattled, didn't expect the miss on the yellow. Reannes a decent player, good potter and can see her winning plenty of matches. Needs to improve cue ball control to be able to take on the real top guys on a consistent basis, though.

BorneTobyWilde

SHe's like '' you may beat me at home, but not on this table, not tonight''

BorneTobyWilde

Ball wobbled in jaws, thought she'd get that through experience alone.

Joe_ Public

Bit unlucky reanne but she's had her chances. Great clearance from mark, been an entertaining good quality match.

BorneTobyWilde

Put her in her place in the end , but she had it to win it

dobman88

Was a bit weird watching that. Could almost feel the hatred through the screen lol. She had it in her hands, she will be sickened but a great break by Mark in the 5th frame tbf

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764707#Comment_117764707

Hendry said it was as tense a match as he'd ever seen, or since Higgins-Taylor anyway. He's probably right. Mark leaving that red along the cushion turned out to be a psychological masterstroke, though I did think she'd pot it tbh.

Glenman

I see Ken won his first match at the British open 3-0. Jimmy White beat Aaron Hill 3-0, that is disappointing for Aaron

waynescales1

Delighted Allen won after seeing that snub from Evans.

El_Duderino 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766388#Comment_117766388

I was supporting Evans as the underdog, but refusing the fist bump was not a classy move. If you do that then you have to back it up by winning and she failed to do that. They both had lots of chances and she should have won 3-1. Good comeback after missing plenty in frame 4 and excellent finish from Mark to win

Joe_ Public

Hendry started off quite well tonight but getting increasingly ragged the longer the match wears on. Should have closed it out already, wakelin has been really poor.

El_Duderino 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117769552#Comment_117769552

He's getting some nice shots but you're never sure he's going to get anything. Also he's leaving himself very difficult shots because his cue ball control is all over the place.

He might get through this match but would have no hope against a decent player.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117769598#Comment_117769598

Got it done in the end but only after wakelin butchered 2 proper chances. Same as Reanne last night for me, they'll both win a few matches playing like that, but without troubling the top guys who don't generally mess up when they're handed 2 or 3 plum chances to win most frames.

Rothko

Really happy to see Hendry to win tonight. He wasn't great overall but maybe the win will give him some extra confidence.

El_Duderino 09

Jack losowski losing to Barry Pinches must have been the biggest shock of the day. Some other decent upsets like K Wilson losing to Hugill was a big one too.

Joe_ Public

Draw for R2 made. Ken v Joe O'Connor and Fergal, if he beats Gary Wilson tomorrow, would get a crack at Hendry. Would be interesting match that, 10 years from when they last met in the shootout when Fergal held sway.

El_Duderino 09

Thepchaiya Un-Nooh made the first ever 155 break on camera. It was in practice and captured on cctv, so not in competition play.

155 break is the highest possible with a free ball and a black followed by the usual 147 break.

Fair play to him. Hes very fast and a good player to watch even if he's a inconsistent. He could probably benefit from spending longer on shots.

https://snookerfreaks.com/thai-snooker-star-makes-history-with-first-ever-155-break-caught-on-camera/

waynescales1

Fergal gone. Judge gone last night. Hill gone in the first round on Monday, has he even won a match since beating O'Sullivan?

A grim beginning to what looks like another bleak season for the Irish.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117772370#Comment_117772370

Aaron actually won his next match after Ronnie, against Matt Stevens, as well as a few others, but i think he faces a struggle alright to get inside top 64 and retain his card. Ken and Fergal both have the experience to draw on that Aaron doesn't have. Needs to get a little run of results somewhere to boost confidence and belief, a good spell practising in Sheffield wouldn't be a bad idea. Still a long way to go yet.

FR01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117772558#Comment_117772558

Said it before, even though it was a great result beating Ronnie in a way it was the worst possible thing that could happen. No question young Aaron has the talent but as always it’s a huge jump from the amateur circuit to mixing it with the pros.

Granted he was probably the best junior in Europe when he got his two year card but (and I’m open to correction here) he really did nothing on the Senior Circuit in Ireland.

For me he should be practicing with better players than what he’s used to. Fergal travels up to Antrim with Shaun Murphy and Mick Judge to practice with Mark Allen, why isn’t he practicing with these guys.

Look at Ken, he’s more or less living back in the UK full time now and playing in Dings Academy in Sheffield against the Chinese lads and there’s no doubt he’s playing some great snooker because of that.

I honestly though Hill would beat White so to see him lose 3-0 was surprising.

As you mentioned it’s early days but unless he starts winning matches his brief two year stint as a pro could be coming to an end.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117773193#Comment_117773193

I do know Aaron spent a bit of time over in Sheffield earlier this year himself, but not sure if that's in his plans this season. Money could be an issue, though i believe he's doing ok sponsorship wise. It would definitely help, for sure. Young wexford kid Adam Halnon been working over in ding academy with Nigel Bond the past while so maybe a name to watch out for over next year or two.

Been said before, a lot of good players get on tour and don't make it first time - Barry Hawkins, Neil Robertson, Martin Gould, to name just 3. I think robbo might have failed twice before he finally nailed it. Obviously, I'd prefer that not to happen with Aaron so I think he's just going to have to dig deep and start developing the conviction that he belongs there. I agree on the ronnie thing, the media exposure over the following weeks probably wasn't the best thing for him at that stage. What he needs is a run to the last 32 or 16, 2 or 3 solid wins against decent mid ranked pros he has the beating of. Win two matches every ranking event, you secure your card. Easier said than done, of course, and you can do with a bit of luck from the draw. I'm just hopeful for him at this stage really, he's so much better than he's showing but it's just a grimly tough school!

Genghis

Think Mark Williams rounded out his comments about the two worst matches he'd ever seen with that Dominic Dale match.

Could be a tip to win the whole thing, he can certainly approach every match from here on as an undeserved bonus.