The 24th Annual President’s Cup, sponsored by Bullet Brickwork UK Ltd was held on Sunday 26 January 2014 at Saffron Snooker Club, Saffron Walden, Essex.

The annual handicap event was well supported with a strong field of 37 league players in attendance, all hoping to win the first prize of £60 and be the 24th name engraved on the President’s Cup.

With all matches being the best-of-3 frames, by late afternoon the quarter final stage was played out as follows;

• Simon Chapman (+16) 2-1 Peter Saville (-4)
• Steve Paradine (+8) 2-0 Mark Halls (SSC +6)
• Emma Simmons (+60) 2-0 Adrian Shoebridge (+2)
• Jack Bothwell (+20) 2-0 Russell Huxter (-53)

In the semi finals, Steve Parradine took on Emma Simmons in the first semi final giving a 52 headstart, whilst Jack Bothwell had a 4 point headstart against Simon Chapman.  After a long battle between Emma and Steve, the two in form players on the day, Simon and Emma both came through their semi’s with 2-0 wins to meet in the final.

With Simon giving a 44 headstart in the best-of-3 final, it looked like after a long day on the green baize the advantage of having the points on the scoreboard at the start of each frame could be enough to pull Emma through to the winning post, but Simon held his nerve and concentration to score heavily enough to battle through to win the President’s Cup 2-0 and collect the £60 first prize, with Emma receiving the consolation of the £30 Runners Up prize.  Both of the losing semi finalists each received £15.

In reaching the final, Emma become the first female league player to reach a league tournament singles final in 16 years, and only the second in the leagues 52 year history, a fantastic achievement, well done Emma!

Those players who got knocked out in their first playing round got a free entry in the Plate Tournament with one frame being played in each round including the final.  The semi finals lined up with Nigel Ginn (+12) taking on Phil Chapman (+12), and Joe Fanthorpe (+34) taking on Aaron Gibson (-4).  League team mates Joe and Nigel made it through to the final, and it was Joe, pushed all the way by Nigel who continued a fantastic run of form on the day to not only win, but retain the tournament he won last year and collect the £20 first prize.  Nigel received the £10 prize as plate runner up.

Adam Ingram’s break of 78 secured him the £10 Tournament High Break prize.  See below for all the recorded breaks over 25.

For those that didn’t manage success on the snooker tables, a chance to go home with a raffle prize still offered some consolation, and just before the quarter finals the draw took place.  Prizes included boxes of luxury chocolates, a slow cooker, 3 bottles of red wine, 3 bottles of white wine, a case of Stella Artois, and case of Fosters, various bitters and ciders, as well as a selection of beauty products, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s latest book, and a wireless mouse.  With impending cold weather on the way, the very useful booby prize was a de-icer and ice scraper set won by Richard Malyon.

Photos of the winners and runners up are on the SWDSL Facebook Page, and all trophies will be presented at the Annual Presentation/Finals Evening on Saturday 17 May 2014 at Saffron Snooker Club.

The Committee of the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden and District Snooker League would like to thank Bullet Brickwork UK Ltd for their continued sponsorship of our flagship day tournament, Saffron Snooker Club for providing the venue, and Mark Cooper for preparing the tables and refereeing the final.  Thanks also to Tournament Secretary Adam Ingram, Peter Saville and Stewart Hart for ensuring that the tournament ran smoothly on the day.

Recorded breaks over 25 :

• Adam Ingram 78, 58, 36
• Russell Huxter 66,45
• Ben Westwood 58
• Rob Spackman 50
• Richard Watson 38
• Adrian Shoebridge 30
• Aaron Gibson 27
• Joe Fanthorpe 27

Link to sponsors website : www.bullet-brickwork.co.uk