Snooker Season 2022/23

Joe_ Public

That time of year again when the snooker world crashes back into action again with a thunderous bang! Or maybe not!

Anyway, season is up and running again with the Championship League at the Morningside Arena in Leicester and been an ok day thus far for Aaron Hill. Beat Craig Steadman 3-0 and 2-2 draw with David Grace so top of the group with one match left v Ben Hancorn. By my maths, simply avoids defeat and he'll top the group as best Grace could do is finish level and Aaron's 101 break against Steadman would be the clincher. Assuming Grace doesn't go and beat it final match, of course! Think Yan Bingtao was originally drawn in this group but guess he withdrew for some reason.

Joe_ Public

Well, he did the important thing anyway which was to avoid defeat so Grace will now have to beat Steadman 3-0 and eclipse Aaron's high break of 101 to win the group. I would be just a little bit pissed if he manages to do that!

Joe_ Public

And Steadman nicks the second frame and that's it, Aaron wins the group and qualifies for next months second stage. And importantly, banks his first 3k of the season with the potential of more to come. All in all, not a bad way to kick off his second go on tour.

Strumms

How did Judge give up that frame.. bad positional shot followed by dreadful safety when 1-0 was all his, only could have thrown it away and he did.

Joe_ Public

Mick has a chance of winning the group here, win the last frame v Simmonds and he's in with a decent shout.

Joe_ Public

Well done Mick Judge, the only player in the group to win a match so moves forward to join Aaron in the winners stage. Owes Zhang Anda a pint tonight for doing him a big favour against Kyren there.

Strumms

Ken 1-0 against Barry Hawkins, positive start in the second that should have seen him accrue a rake of points. But misses an easy pot, Barry can’t take advantage but Ken misses a pot that I’d even pot by a country mile.

Joe_ Public

Well, Ken got pretty much smoked by Yuan there, doubt he got too much more than 10 shots the whole match! Always did look a pretty tough group to come through in fairness.

Strumms

Ken just manages to win 1 out of the 8 frames he has contested so far today.

safety play was tidy enough but he missed quite a few pots that were not gimmies but say medium difficulty that a couple didn’t even end up threatening the pockets.

sad to see really.

Strumms

Fergal being his usual frustrating self against Zhou in the Champions Leeague…making really difficult pots but missing easy-ish ones …

gets out 2-2

Joe_ Public

Couple of busy days ahead for Aaron. Chen Zifan in European Masters qualifiers this morning, then tomorrow a really good League group with Maguire, MJW and Lu Ning. Should be relishing these games, the more the merrier. Hopefully can win at least one or two of them!

Joe_ Public

Nice routine 5-1 win for Aaron and earns a date with Baz Hawkins in Germany next month, as well as a few quid to keep coffers ticking over. Very scrappy overall it has to be said but looked good among the balls and really terrific last red in last frame to virtually clinch the match. Main job done so look forward to tomorrow now.

Joe_ Public

Bad day at the office for Aaron today, 0-3 to both Williams and Maguire. Two terrible missed blacks against MJW started the rot and just seemed to lose composure from there. Made some cracking pots only to throw away the initiative a couple of shots later, going to have to sort that. Mick Judge not going much better in the other group.

Joe_ Public

Nice break that from Lu Ning to sew up the group, good day for him. Aaron finishes bottom but at least a positive finish from him, much tidier and clinical there than earlier.

ArmaniJeanss

Good start to the season for Jimmy White, qualifying for European Masters. Also the first 60 year old to win a ranking match this century (trivia info according to poster on digital spy)

Jimmy White makes 133 break to set up win over Andrew Pagett in European Masters qualifying - Eurosport

Joe_ Public

I see Hendry has withdrawn from the upcoming Northern Ireland qualifiers which is a shame if only because i thought it was an interesting draw for Aaron and a match I'd have confidently expected him to win. Will face Zhao Jianbo, No.1 on the top up list instead, whom he beat comfortably to secure his tour card at Q School, but still the tougher prospect i fancy.

Joe_ Public

Ken just about grinding his way in front against Ng On Yee in British open qualifiers here, but not exactly pretty has to be said! She's had her chances after winning opening 2 frames. One more needed for Ken and he'll be relieved when/if he gets it!

Joe_ Public

And the frame doesnt arrive! Loses to a fluke but only after he missed a sitter on the pink which was virtual match ball so only himself to blame. Good win for Ng On Yee but not sure i can see her retaining the card on that evidence. Poor match.

Joe_ Public

Liang Wenbo, just back from suspension, obviously very keen to restore his good name and reputation! Fair play to his young opponent whom i thought handled this very well and proceeded to win the match and offer Liang a suitably tepid handshake at the end of it.

https://twitter.com/stevenhallworth/status/1557746750596829184?s=20&t=blzwpURExrmXp3kLDI19pw

Joe_ Public

Bad day at the office for Aaron, 3 prime chances to win the first blown and sinks to 0-4 defeat to Dave Gilbert. Just looked tight and nervous for some reason, taking too long over some of his shots. Off to Germany to face Baz Hawkins in European Masters next so not going to get any easier!

Arthur Daley

That was some result for Michael Judge 5-1 against the defending champion in the European Masters in Germany

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119480612#Comment_119480612

Yeah, great win for him. Saw a couple of frames and Fan missed quite a lot but you got to punish them which Mick did. Early performances this season been quite encouraging, couod and probably should have beaten Steadman in British last week. Daniel Wells up next so decent chance to wrack a few more quid up.

Strumms

yuan looking like he’s a bag of nerves early against Selby… missing a blue off it’s spot then a safety where he leaves the white about two feet short of the balk line…

Selby misses an easy one and let’s him off the hook.

nullObjects

Didn't seem threadworthy on its own, so apologies if it shouldn't go here.

Came across this podcast with Ken that might be of interest:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KjMxJ27CSqPHeKLNcZz81?si=6446f02736a84f46

Joe_ Public

Good start for Aaron despite two really bad misses on pink and black. 1-0 up on Hawkins.

Joe_ Public

Shame to lose so heavily in the end after a promising start, Hawkins very clinical once he got moving. If you're not sticking these top players tight, sometimes not even getting within a foot of baulk cushion, then they're simply going to murder you every time.

Konny Rool

Mark Williams is a legend 😂 takin the mick out of Dale here 😂 Dale's a cute fecker engaging in banter imo - reckon it puts opponents off, but if they complained it'd almost look unsporting 😆

Great pot from Mark on the pink there to win frame 7 and go four - three up .. hope he wins now !

waynescales1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461516#Comment_119461516

What do the people in the comments mean when they say "stroke"?

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119491386#Comment_119491386

I didn't see that comment myself but can only assume they mean Liang is trying to pull a "stroke", as in cheating. I suppose technically he's within his rights to query, at least i dont know any rule against it, but it's not a great look and to do so while a player is down on a shot isn't going to win you many friends. As someone mentioned, would he have tried that with a top player? Ronnie?

AllForIt

That was very odd by Liang Wenbo. There is no way he would have been able to tell from his seated vantage point that the ref's decision, that the black didn't spot, was wrong.

Strumms

Barry Hawkins looks all out of sorts against Mark Wilson. 3-0 down and looks like soon to be 4-0

He beat Mark Williams just requiring to play 8 frames from their best of 11 with that 6-2 win but he looks tired today and is making a fair number of forced and unforced errors. Messy.