Wilson too strong in Bay final
GARY WILSON won the latest Whitley Bay Snooker Centre one-day handicapped pro-am competition with a 3-1 victory over Whitley Bay’s Davey Mole.
With his handicap now increased to minus 35 points a frame, the Wallsend potter opened his account by having to concede a massive 84 points a frame start to Gateshead’s Brandon Crawford (off 49).
However, he went on to beat him 3-1 with several breaks in the 30s, 40s and 50s plus a top run of 63.
Wilson knew he could not afford to give scratch player Billy Hunter (received 35) any chances in the next round.
After taking the opening frame with a terrific 129 clearance, Wilson followed up with further breaks of 109 and 86.
Looking to book his first-ever place in the final, Stanley’s Ash Wilson (off 28 but receiving 63 points a frame) fared no better than Hunter after the Wallsend potter rattled off more runs of 84, 86 and 64 to clinch the match 3-0. There were shocks in the bottom half of the draw when Mole (off 35) reached the final after taking out Gateshead’s Elliot Slessor (gave 56) and Brandon Hall (gave 35).
Even with 70-points-a-frame advantage, any hopes Mole had of winning the final were instantly brought to an end when Wilson fired in the highest break of the day - a magnificent 132 total clearance - to race 1-0 ahead.
Mole played well by taking the next to level the scores but it was the on-form Wilson who clinched the third with a 96 and the fourth with smaller runs in the 30 and 40s to take the honours.
Wilson pocketed £110 for winning the competition and another £10 for his break of 132.
The best-of-three-frame plate final went to John Wear, who overcame North Shields’ Craig Sexton 2-1.