Players cueing up for East Lancs title

SNOOKER SNOOKER players from across East Lancashire will be picking up their cues next month as the region’s biggest tournament gets underway for the second year running.

After the huge success of last year’s inaugural event, 96 players from Rossendale, Hyndburn, Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle will be battling it out to win the Organic Insurance East Lancashire Snooker Championship, 2019.

Last year’s champion, Farack Ajaib is back once again to try and defend his title. However, the likes of former pros Justin Astley, Stephen Croft and Ian Martin, as well as other top local amateurs will also fancy their chances of lifting the title.

The finals weekend is due to take place at Hoddlesdon Conservative Club later this year.

The 1997 World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty commented on the event: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the cream of East Lancs to rise to the top and good luck to all 96 players that have entered.”

The North West has always been a ‘hot-bed’ for Snooker and 2019 sees the inaugural East Lancashire Seniors Championship kick off for the first time.

The over 45’s will be competing to win the Bill Riley Trophy, named after the highly regarded East Lancs professional snooker referee who sadly passed away during 2018.

The semi-finals are due to take place at the Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club also later this year. There is also a Juniors event taking place.

Co-organisers Jonny Hannan and Jonathan Clarke would like to thank the competition sponsors for their ongoing support.

Anyone wishing to get involved with the competition should contact the organising committee for further information, or check the facebook group page, ‘East Lancashire Snooker Championship..

A spokesman said: “Thanks to our sponsors Organic Insurance Ltd – The Club Insurance Experts, Computer Waste Ltd – ICT Equipment Disposal, Jim’s Removals, Accrington Bacon Company, Jack Slater Bowling Supplies and Tony Carr.”