Hi all
What an interesting weekend to kick off the largest Open Singles title race we’ve ever seen. I’ve only got records dating back 7 years of the ACTEBA’s 21, but even then 7 years ago we had 65 players enter the Open Singles title. This year we had 185!!!! That’s roughly 3 times as many and shows the commitment our members have to improving their game and strengthening the overall skill level of the association.
I’ve always thought that apart from the Top 16, Round One is the most important round in the entire tournament. While the Top 16 decides the ACT Team, Round One offers any player of any skill level the opportunity to play 20 odd frames against players from all the divisions. Over the years I’ve watched players in their first trials improve dramatically as the day’s play wore on. This is why we are currently seeing such a great standard of play in the lower divisions compared to when I started. Apparently I was good enough to shoot 72% in div 4 one season but I reckon I’d struggle to hit 50% these days…
The most promising aspect of this weekend was the number of players who qualified for the second round at their first attempt. In addition, many first timers challenged for that elusive 4th spot. Speaking of 4th spots, there were a number of playoffs this weekend, but none more exciting than Group 14. Trent Billington lined up for the last frame of the day equal with four other players in first spot. Fortunately for Trent he dodged a massive bullet and won his frame, but this still left 3 Div One players and a former State player in a four way playoff for 3 spots.
So that takes care of the tightest group of the weekend, but what about the dominators? Aleni Otuhouma dominated a schnitzel at The Maram on Saturday, but Simon Wade (21/3), Pete Smith (20/4), Kenny Nicol (20/4) and Neil Whitbread (23/5) dominated just about everything else to cruise through to Round Two.
But shot of the weekend has to go to an unknown player, the only reference I have is that he was playing Brendon Smith at The Maram on Saturday. This player saw three object balls bunched against the back rail. Now, as you look down the table from the baulk, his white was sitting not far off the rail halfway between the side and corner pockets on the right. This unknown player gave it a “hit and hope” into the balls, which then proceeded to bank first off the back rail, then off the left rail, and then follow each other one two three in the right hand side pocket. Unfortunately he lost the frame, but I’d give up 10 frames to see that shot live!
Anyway, we now go into Round Two to see who is “the best of the rest” to meet the seeds in Round Three. In recent years we’ve had Top 16 players start in Round One, and 2 years ago Dean Welsh started from Round One and went on to win the State Title, so there is still a great round of Eight Ball to be played next weekend.
Round Two groups will be released at some stage today, and once again I wish all players the best of luck except those in my group. In that case I hope you try really hard but just aren’t good enough on the day to beat me. Um, I do like to dream so everyone just humour me for a little while…
Lastly, a HUGE thank you to all the adjudicators from this weekend. I am sure most players realise what a massive assistance these guys and gals are to the smooth running of the tournament, but I can’t thank them enough. So if you didn’t buy your adjudicator a drink over the weekend, make sure you track one down to say thanks.
Results for Round One available here:
http://www.acteba.com.au/downloads/2010_Open_Singles_Round_1_Results.pdf
