‘Play The Snooker Professionals Charity Day’ – Sunday 27 September 2015

September 25, 2015September 25, 2015www.snooker-league.org

Saffron Snooker Club and local businessman Kevin Starr are proud to once again host the ‘Play the Snooker Professionals Charity Day’ in aid of the Ethan Rees Linwood Memorial Fund featuring World Snooker Professional Snooker Players Martin ‘the MOD’ O’Donnell and Allan ‘the Albino Assassin’ Taylor.

Martin_ODonnell_Snookerbacker_Classic_Champion_2012 allan-taylor2

Venue: Saffron Snooker Club, Saffron Walden, Essex. CB11 3AQ

Date: Sunday 27th September 2015

Time: 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm

A unique opportunity for local snooker players of all abilities to play a frame of snooker against a World Snooker professional – or simply come along and watch – and support a great local charity. You can turn up on the day or pre-book your frame by contacting Saffron Snooker Club on 01799 513094 or via email saffronsnookerclub@btconnect.com.

The cost per frame for Juniors is just a donation of £2.50 to the Charity, Adults is £5 donation per frame.

The event is open to all, don’t worry if you don’t have a snooker cue, we have one you can use.

On the day there will also be a raffle with top prizes, including a snooker cue signed by World Champion Stuart Bingham, tickets to a World Snooker ranking tournament, complimentary use of holiday chalet on the Norfolk coast for a week, free snooker coaching sessions, a Grey Palmer voucher, CD player donated by Goddards Electrical, a meal for two at Parrishes in Thaxted and much more.

A licensed bar, soft drinks, tea, coffee and food will be available all day.

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To find out more about the work of the Ethan Rees Linwood Memorial Fund please visit their website www.ethanrees.org or email them at enquiries@ethanrees.org

We hope that you can pop into Saffron Snooker Club and support this event. If you would like to donate a raffle prize then please contact Kevin Starr on 07713-640265 or bring into Saffron Snooker Club either before or on the day – thank you!

To open and view/print a poster for this event please click here!

NOTICE : Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 7 July 2015

May 16, 2015www.snooker-league.org

The Committee of the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden & District Snooker League hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting will be held at the Saffron Walden Bowls Club on Tuesday 7 July 2015 at 7.30pm. All registered league members are invited to attend, and all teams that intend to compete next season should send along at least one representative. It is a compulsory requirement that a representative of any NEW teams and clubs attend so their application to join the league can be approved by the membership.

Should any member wish to submit an item for the Agenda or propose either an amendment to an existing league rule or propose a new league rule, these must be received by the League Secretary Peter Saville no later than 28 days prior to the AGM which is Tuesday 9 June 2015.

Please send any items/proposals via email to swdsl@live.co.uk or via the Online Form on the league website, and we will confirm receipt.

Should you wish to discuss any matters prior to them being submitted then please do not hesitate to contact Peter Saville.

Awesome Walden Win 2015 BS Challenge title

March 31, 2015www.snooker-league.org

The 9th Annual Bishop’s Stortford Challenge, sponsored by AJ Electrical was held at Old Harlow War Memorial Club on Sunday 29 March 2015.

The format as previous seasons consists of both the Saffron Walden & District Snooker League and the Bishop’s Stortford & District Snooker League each entering a team consisting of six players, three league handicapped between -10 and -1, and three between scratch and +10. Saffron Walden was represented by Andrew Green, John Manley, Aaron Gibson, Peter Saville (Captain), Mark Patmore and Phil Chapman. In each round, the minus players played two frames against each other and the plus players did the same. Following the three rounds, a fourth round took place which mixed up the order with the minus players taking on the plus players.

Walden raced into an early lead winning the first two rounds 11-1 and 9-3 respectively, to lead 20-4 overall. With the damage done, Walden secured the title in round three with a 7-5 round win to take a 27-9 overall lead. Round four was a formality but Walden continued their excellent form on the day to win it 9-3 and to finish with an aggregate score of 36-12 for the tournament.

Player of the Tournament was Peter Saville who won 7 out of 8 frames and also had the highest break on the day of 34.

Saffron Walden players:-
Peter Saville won 7/8
John Manley won 7/8
Andrew Green won 6/8
Aaron Gibson won 6/8
Mark Patmore won 5/3
Phil Chapman won 5/3

The Committee of the Saffron Walden & District Snooker League would like to take this opportunity to thank Marc Ridout and Malcolm Springham for organising and running the tournament which was played with a competitive but friendly spirit. Thanks also to Old Harlow War Memorial Club for allowing us to use the snooker tables for this tournament and for laying on a buffet feast which was enjoyed by all the players, and finally many thanks to our tournament sponsors, AJ Electrical.

Snooker Rules Refresher / Referees Seminar – Sunday 1 March 2015

February 24, 2015February 24, 2015www.snooker-league.org

rsz_1dan_lewis For all those that wish to brush up on their refereeing skills or just have a better understanding of the basics, our League President/Chairman and EASB Director of Referees Mr Dan Lewis will be holding a ‘Snooker Rules Refresher / Referees Seminar’ at Widdington Village Hall on Sunday 1 March 2015 which will start at 11am sharp.

This seminar is free of charge to all league members and spaces are limited so if you are interested please contact us via email at swdsl@live.co.uk and we will book your place with Dan.

Widdington Village Hall can be found next door to The Fleur De Lys PH, Widdington, Essex. CB11 3SS.

Shoebridge Wins 2015 President’s Cup And Livings Wins Plate

January 26, 2015January 27, 2015www.snooker-league.org

The Annual President’s Cup, sponsored by Bullet Brickwork UK Ltd was held on Sunday 25 January 2015 at Saffron Snooker Club, Saffron Walden, Essex. The handicap singles best-of-3-frames 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 next name engraved on the prestigious President’s Cup.

Adrian Shoebridge and Jack Squires prepare to do battle in the best-of-three frames final

In the first semi final, Jack Squires took on Chris Patient receiving a 34 headstart, whilst Adrian Shoebridge had a 19 point headstart against Richard Breen. After a long battle Adrian beat Richard 2-1 with a brown-to-black-clearance after coming to the table 21 points behind with 22 on in the deciding frame. In the other semi final at 1-1, Chris needed just pink and black to win and having been left with the pink ball close to the corner pocket dragged the cue ball off line trying to hold for the black to hand Jack simple pots on the pink and black for victory and a place in the final.

With Adrian giving an 18 point headstart in the best-of-3 final, some spectators thought that given the way Jack had played all day that it may be too much but Adrian produced the type of snooker needed to take the match to Jack and in the end secured a comfortable 2-0 win to take the President’s Cup title and collect the £60 first prize. Jack received the consolation of the £30 Runners Up prize. Both of the losing semi finalists [Patient and Breen] each received £10.

2015 President’s Cup Winner – Adrian Shoebridge

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. 16 players entered and it was Mark Halls and Richard Livings who got through to the final.

Richard Livings and Mark Halls shake hands before the President’s Cup Plate Final

Richard having won the Handicap Singles Plate tournament in 2007 again won the one-frame-winner-takes-all-final to add the President’s Cup Plate title to his collection along with the £10 first prize.

2015 President’s Cup Plate Winner – Richard Livings

Chris Patient’s break of 65 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 a box of luxury chocolates, a box of finest Scottish Shortbread, a Men’s hair clippers set, 3 bottles of red wine, 2 bottles of white wine, a bottle of champagne, a case of Stella Artois, a case of Budweiser, a case of Becks, various bitters, an LED head torch, a £20 Prezzo voucher and a wireless mouse. With pancake day on the way, the very apt booby prize was pancake mix and a jiff lemon won by Mark Cooper.

Some photos of the event are on the SWDSL Facebook Page, and all trophies will be presented at the Annual Presentation/Finals Evening on Saturday 30 May 2015 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, Mark Cooper for preparing the tables, and Steve Stalley for refereeing the final. Thanks also to our Tournament Secretary Adam Ingram, Assistant Tournament Secretary Stuart Turner, Treasurer Peter Saville and Committee Member Stewart Hart for ensuring that the tournament ran smoothly on the day.

Recorded breaks over 25 :

Chris Patient 65
Adam Ingram 49, 38, 34
Rob Spackman 32
Richard Breen 32
David Tedman 28

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

2015 President’s Cup Tournament – Sunday 25 January 2015

January 11, 2015January 24, 2015www.snooker-league.org

The 2015 President’s Cup will be held on Sunday 25 January 2015 at Saffron Snooker Club. Registration is from 10.00am with the draw taking place at 10.30am sharp. The entry fee as previous seasons is £10 (Juniors aged 14-18 years old are £5) which includes your table light all day, and also includes a free entry into the Plate Tournament for the First Round losers. All rounds of the main tournament are best of three frames, with the Plate being one frame throughout including the final. All matches are played off of second half handicaps.

Prize money and trophies will be on offer and a raffle will also be held on the day. If any members or clubs would like to donate a prize for the raffle then please feel free to bring along or hand to any member of the Committee prior to the day, all will be very much appreciated.

Please text Adam Ingram on 07901-723360 prior to the day to reserve your place, please pay on the day.

The Prize Fund will be split as follows;
Winner £60
Runner Up £30
Losing Semi-Finalists £10 each
High Break £10
Plate Winner £10

A poster is available to print here or from the league website. It would be appreciated if all clubs and team captains could encourage as many of their players to enter and help make this year another successful tournament.

Final Chance To Win Masters Snooker All Day Tickets Ends This Sunday!

December 19, 2014January 3, 2015www.snooker-league.org

SWDSL Masters Tickets Charity Raffle
Entrants to pick a number(s) from a list held at Saffron Snooker Club at £2 per number.

The draw is for a chance to win one of two pairs of All Day Tickets worth a total of £80 to watch both the afternoon and evening sessions of the Masters Snooker Tournament at Alexandra Place on Monday 12 January 2015. We have two pairs in total to raffle so there are two chances to win!

All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to a charity to be chosen by the winner of the Memorial Cup. A random draw for the two pairs of tickets will take place on Sunday 21 December 2014 at Saffron Snooker Club.

Please contact Mark Cooper at Saffron Snooker Club to purchase your lucky numbers. This raffle is open only to registered league members.

Good luck!

***21.12.14 – Congratulations to Mickey Cushion and Richard Livings who both won a pair of tickets***

World Snooker Coach Andrew Green Wins Memorial Cup

December 2, 2014January 5, 2015www.snooker-league.org

Sunday 30 November 2014 saw the Memorial Cup Tournament [sponsored by Saffron Walden based taxi company Crocus Cars] held at Saffron Snooker Club with another new format being tried out, Round Robin Handicap Singles.

With the tournament only attracting 22 entrants on the day out of the 32 hoped, the entrants were split into two groups of 11 players. Each played one frame against everyone else in their group and the winner and runner up from each group qualified for the semi finals. For only £10 for a minimum of 10 frames of snooker the tournament proved fantastic value for those that entered.

To ensure the rounds flowed, all frames started at the same time and a 30 minute time limit was put on each frame which added to the tension as the minutes ticked by towards the end of each round. Out of the

With a few twists, turns and all manner of possible scenarios going into the final 2 rounds, Chris Patient and Andrew Green emerged from Group 1 and Mark Patmore [aka Potmore] and Simon Chapman came through in Group 2.

The 1 frame semi finals saw Andrew Green and Simon Chapman tussling on the pink and black with Andrew booking his place in the final after potting the pink, and Chris Patient and Mark Patmore battling it out on the other table with Chris eventually emerging victorious. All 4 semi finalists were strong in their respective groups and played very consistently all day.

Photo: World Snooker Coach Andrew Green and Chris Patient shake hands prior to the final

In the final, Chris went 1-0 up and given the form he had showed during the day seemed assured of clinching victory, but Andrew’s consistent cue action helped him level at 1-1 and then secure victory in the deciding frame to run out a 2-1 winner.

The high break prize for the tournament went to Adam Ingram with 53.

Whilst the new format ran smoothly and was a success on the day with everyone enjoying the snooker, the Committee had hoped for more support for this change in format. With the 3 man team and scotch doubles formats being tried in previous seasons and themselves being not very well supported, it would be a shame if this tournament were to be removed from the season calendar. One to discuss at the AGM…

Many thanks to all those that turned up on the day to support the tournament, and a special thank you to Des and Mark Cooper for kindly hosting at Saffron Snooker Club. The tournament was run by Dan Lewis and Adam Ingram. Thanks also to Dan for refereeing the final.

Following the conclusion of the group stage rounds, an auction took place for a pair of tickets for the Masters Snooker Tournament in January…after a slow start a bidding war broke out and after several outbids, Martin Capdeville’s was the winner with a generous £60 bid. The money goes to Diabetes UK in memory of John Webb.

Win Masters Snooker All Day Tickets – Monday 12 January 2015

November 11, 2014December 5, 2014www.snooker-league.org

SWDSL Masters Tickets Charity Raffle
Entrants to pick a number(s) from a list held at Saffron Snooker Club at £2 per number.

A third pair of tickets will be auctioned off to the highest bidder at the Memorial Cup on Sunday 28 November 2014.

Please contact Mark Cooper at Saffron Snooker Club to purchase your lucky numbers. This raffle is open only to registered league members.

Good luck!

REMINDER : Memorial Cup Tournament – Sunday 30 November 2014

November 2, 2014October 11, 2017www.snooker-league.org

Following the recent passing of John Webb, this season’s Memorial Cup brings to the forefront of the ethos of this tournament, to remember all those league players who are sadly no longer with us. The Committee have approved a new format which will be entry limited to 32 players and be played in the format of round robin singles in 4 groups of 8 players, with each player playing 1 frame against each other in their group. All matches including the knock out stages will be played off of league handicaps and time limited to 30 minutes per frame. The entry fee will be £10.00 which includes your table light all day, with the winner and runner up of each group will go through to the 1 frame quarter finals knock out stage. The semi finals will also be 1 frame, with the final best-of-three frames.

The chosen charity that the league is supporting this year is Diabetes UK, and all monies raised from the raffle and auction will be donated to this worthy cause. As is the norm, there will be some excellent raffle prizes, and any donations from either league members or clubs will be gratefully received. Please bring them along on the day, drop them into Saffron Snooker Club in advance or hand to any member of the Committee. An auction will also be held for a pair of tickets to an afternoon/evening session at the Master Snooker Tournament in January 2015.

Due to the tournament being limited to 32 entrants and to avoid disappointment on the day with the event being potentially oversubscribed, you can secure your place in advance by paying the entry fee either via online banking payment to the league bank account, or via secure paypal / debit card / credit card payment by clicking the Buy Now button below. Please use your name as the payment reference. You can also pay cash prior to the day to either the Tournament Secretary Adam Ingram or League Treasurer Peter Saville. Please remember all entries are only secured once payment has been received. A list of entrants will be added to the website as entries are received.

Don’t miss out, click the logo to reserve your place now…!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Crocus Cars, a taxi service from Saffron Walden for sponsoring the Memorial Cup. Please remember them if you a taxi anytime, telephone 01799-525511 or visit their website http://www.crocuscars.co.uk/

SWDSL Newsletter – October 2014

October 5, 2014October 11, 2017www.snooker-league.org

SWDSL Newsletter – October 2014

League
With 5 league matches now played in the Three Player Division, Newport Club currently lead on 21 points, 2 ahead of Saffron Snooker Swifts on 19 and 4 ahead of Saffron Snooker Cavaliers on 17. Jonathan Wells [Stansted Highwaymen] is the current leader of the division highest break with 98.

In the Four Player Division after 4 matches played, Newport A and Takeley Chipmunks are both tied on 10 points, however both the Saffron Snooker Ex Cons and Saffron Snooker Flukes have a match in hand having played 3 matches each and have 8 and 7 points respectively so it remains all very close so far.

Tournaments
The drawsheets for the Handicap Singles [Last 128 Round] and the Handicap Doubles [Last 64 Round] are now on the league website, as is the Player Contact List.

Please note that matches in the Last 128 Round of the Handicap Singles matches are to be arranged by 14 October 2014 and played by 28 October 2014. All Last 64 Round Doubles Matches have to be arranged by 14 November 2014 and played by 28 November 2014. The same dates apply to the Last 64 Round of the Handicap Singles.

Should you encounter any issues in trying to contact your opponent then please contact the Tournament Secretary Adam Ingram on 07901-723360.

Memorial Cup Tournament – Sunday 30 November 2014
Following the recent passing of John Webb, this season’s Memorial Cup brings to the forefront of the ethos of this tournament, to remember all those league players who are sadly no longer with us. The Committee have approved a new format which will be entry limited to 32 players and be played in the format of round robin singles in 4 groups of 8 players, with each player playing 1 frame against each other in their group. All matches including the knock out stages will be played off of league handicaps and time limited to 30 minutes per frame. The entry fee will be £10.00 which includes your table light all day, with the winner and runner up of each group will go through to the 1 frame quarter finals knock out stage. The semi finals will also be 1 frame, with the final best-of-three frames.

Don’t miss out, click the logo to reserve your place now…!

And Finally…
Thanks to all Captains who have been submitting their match results to us swiftly. Hopefully you will have all noticed that the league tables and results are being updated by the end of each playing week, sometimes by a Thursday morning! Keep it going please.

EASB Grade 3 Referees Seminar

September 7, 2014September 10, 2014www.snooker-league.org

For all those SWDSL members that are either interested in applying for the EASB Grade 3 Refereeing Membership, or just keen to brush up on their refereeing skills, please be advised that our League President/Chairman and EASB Director of Referees, Mr Dan Lewis holds throughout the season regular ‘Referees Seminars’ at a variety of Snooker Clubs in our region.

If you are interested in attending one of these free seminars, then please let us know via email at swdsl@live.co.uk. Once we have a list of enough members we will liaise with Dan with regards to organising a date/venue to suit the majority and will be in touch with you.

For more details of the EASB Referee Membership Scheme please click here.

WPBSA Official Rules Of Snooker Updated

August 20, 2014August 19, 2014www.snooker-league.org

All players should be aware that the WPBSA [World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association] have this month updated the Official Rules of Snooker, please click here (opens in a new window) to view the latest Snooker Rule Book dated 12 August 2014 direct from the WPBSA website.

A brief summary of the rule changes is provided below:

Section 2 Rule 6 Stroke. (a)
The addition of “except whilst addressing the cue-ball (known as feathering)”
The act of feathering the cue-ball is not a legal stroke, therefore it is penalised.

Section 2 Rule 13 – Free Ball & Section 3 Rule 12 – Snookered after a Foul
Now to include “other than the ball on”
This is not a rule change, but just a clarification of an existing rule. Following several incidents regarding the awarding of a Free Ball following a Foul, it should be clearly understood that the ball on can never be considered to be the Free Ball.

Section 2 Rule 14 – Forced off the table
The amended Rule will state as follows with the new part underlined:
“A ball is forced off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table or in a pocket, or is picked up by the striker, or intentionally moved by hand whilst it is in play”
This change was made to clarify the instance of a ball being lifted from the bed of the table or rolled into a new position. Both instances are fouls, but the cue-ball is now in hand for either offence.

Section 3 Rule 10 – Penalties
The position of the push shot penalty has changed it’s position, from (b)(v) to (a)(x).
Also, (d) (iii) Now reads “touches any ball during consultation”.
The touching of any ball during the consultation of replacing the balls following a Foul and a Miss, will now incur a penalty of SEVEN points.

Section 3 Rule 14 – Foul and a Miss.
The Foul and a Miss Rule was found to be too complicated, so needed to be simplified. This Rule has not changed in essence, but has been condensed into a shorter format, due to this, many cross references have had to be amended.

Section 3 Rule 15 Ball Moved by Other than Striker
(a) Remove the words “other than the strikers partner” If the strikers partner moves a ball, this is now a foul.

2014/15 League Season – New Rule Changes

August 16, 2014September 1, 2014www.snooker-league.org

At the Annual General Meeting held at Saffron Bowls Club on Tuesday 24 June 2014, the following rule changes were agreed by the league members present. These rule changes have been incorporated into the SWDSL League Constitution, General Rules and Handicaps Document dated 1 July 2014, a copy of which can be found on the league website in the ‘Rules & Reffing’ section, League Rules.

Amendment to Rule 10 – ADD ‘One point shall be deducted from the Home team’s accrued points total to date should the league not be notified of a league match result within 48 hours of the match taking place. Notification shall be made via text message to Adam Ingram/Cathy O’Neill, email to swdsl@live.co.uk or the website results form.’

Amendment to Rule 12 – ADD ‘A league match may be re-arranged and played without penalty if it is played either prior to the date scheduled in the fixtures, or during the same playing week as detailed in the fixtures provided it is played either on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening.’

Amendment to Rule 27 –‘ ADD ‘In order for a player to be eligible to enter and play in the Scratch Plus Singles or President’s Cup Tournament’s, they must have played in a minimum of either 3 league or cup matches in the first half of the season.’

In accordance with league rules, please remember that all clubs must display a copy of the current SWDSL League Constitution, General Rules and Handicaps Document. If all Captains could take the lead in ensuring that a copy is displayed it would be appreciated and help to alleviate any rule queries on match nights.

We trust that the above changes are self-explanatory, however should you require any further clarification then please do not hesitate to contact the League Secretary Shaun Hunt or email us at swdsl@live.co.uk.