THE race to be crowned the 2014 ‘Sovereign Snooker Services’ Clitheroe small tables singles champion has now reached the last 16 after the group stages have been completed.
Down to the last 16, the draw has thrown up some cracking ties, with Clitheroe’s Royal British Legion (RBL) young starlet and group winner in Liam Sutcliffe – and also the youngest player left in the competition – facing Clitheroe Social clubs Roger Hope, who recently made the competitions highest break to date with a 72 clearance in a group game.
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Sutcliffe’s clubmate Mark Hitchen has been paired with the Socials Dave Moore, with Moore facing another group winner and a player on very good form who won nine out of his ten group games and Hitchen having home advantage as well.
Socials star player Eric Barnes and another group winner, faces the Legion veteran in Gary James, who will have to be on top of his game against the Social man also on form and who also has home advantage on the tight Social tables.
Group winner in Social’s Robbie Grant faces the Legion’s Steve Ollie Almond in what should be a good game between two very capable players on their day.
Legion star man Dean Walmsley faces the Socials Simon Briggs in what should be a good game with both players having very different snooker styles but both very capable players.
One of the pre-tournament favourites in the Legions Mark Riley, sees him play last years runner up in Social’s Gary Simkin, and Riley with be after revenge after being knocked out in last years semi final by the Social man.
Low Moor’s Gav McQuade has been drawn at home against the Legions Steve Winckley, with the two veterans both more than capable of making it through to the last eight and beyond but home advantage will give McQuade the advantage.
The last tie sees young Low Moor manChris Hayton paired with another pre-tournament favourite in the Legions star man in Steve Almond, who was also the runner up the 2014 golden cue competition. Hayton will be hoping Almond doesn’t bring his A game to the table!
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