Open final place Ast to be John’s
WALLSEND’S newly-adopted Professional John Astley reached the final of the 2017 Green Baize.com North East Handicapped Open by beating Guisborough’s Anthony Parsons 5-2.
Despite having to give his opponent 14-points start in every frame, a confident Astley went straight on the attack at Whitley Bay Snooker Centre to claim the first frame 68-34 with small runs of 23 and 24.
He then had Parsons conceding in the second with one red and the colours left when he fired in a frame-winning break of 76 to go 2-0 ahead.
Astley racked up another series of small runs in the 20s to clinch the third 70-38.
However, Parsons took full advantage of his chances in the fourth to clock up breaks of 16, 22 and 44 to win the frame without his opponent potting a ball.
After the interval two fouls and misses had Parsons 20 points ahead - but it was Astley’s magnificent 121 total clearance which put the Wallsend potter 4-1 in front.
Needing only one more frame to win, Astley lost the next 73-15 to a well-constructed 57 - only to claim a place in the final by winning the closely-fought seventh 74-48 with a late run of 33.
AT the same venue, local potter John Wears and Gateshead’s talented cueist Brandon Hall competed in the final of the Saturday one-day handicapped event.
With neither player at his potting best it was the more consistent Hall (who was conceding 21 points a frame) who came through a tight contest to win the match 3-1 without making a break over 30.
In the semi-final play-offs Hall beat his Gateshead namesake Brian Hall (off 35) 3-0 while Wears (off 49) - in the other half of the draw - came out top 3-1 against Elliot Slessor.
Ashington’s first-time entrant Craig Hardy picked up the plate prize following a 2-1 win over Adam Parker.
FORMER world champion Dennis Taylor visits Whitley Bay Snooker Centre on Thursday, May 11.
The Irishman (pictured) will be entertaining the audience with eight challenge frames.
Tickets, price £20 for adults and £10 for under16s, are available from the club or Paul Rinaldi on 0191 447 0515.