The 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Day 3 – Evening Session

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The semi-finals line-up for the 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship was completed yesterday evening as Tony Drago and Barry Pinches joined Ken Doherty and Igor Figueiredo who had already booked their SF spots in the afternoon.

Tony Drago beat Stuart Watson by 3-1 and you will find the frames scores for that match here. Tony started very impressively: he won the first frame in no time and in one scoring visit with a break of 91. It proved to be the only big break of the match as the next three frames were extremely close and “fragmented”. I spoke briefly to Stuart after the match and he was absolutely devastated, maybe not as much about the outcome as he was about his performance. Stuart is currently the Seniors number one, he has never been a pro. He qualified for this event by winning a lot of matches on the Seniors tour. Stuart and other senior players like him deserve much better than the scorn the “other number one”, Mark Allen, showed for the event yesterday on twitter… It could be you here in a few years Mark, and delighted to be part of it as well. Time catches up with everyone.

Anyway… here are the images taken during that match:

Barry Pinches always looked in control of the last quarter-final . He beat James Wattana by 3-1. It’s not every day that you see a canary get the better of a typhoon … it can only happen only on a snooker table, an environment well known to create unexpected events and produce “strange things”. The scores for that match are here. Barry looks very, very sharp. He’s entered the Q-School so, as you would expect, he has put the hours in, and it shows,

Here are the images for that match:

And Michaela was trying to steal my job…

Seriously … she was taking pictures of a very proud Mark Beale. Mark has given a lot of his time to the amateur game, refereeing on the Women’s Tour, on the Seniors’ Tour, and countless hours in the “900” events. Yesterday he refereed at the Crucible… a totally deserved recognition for his impeccable work and his dedication to the sport we love.

Congratulations Mark!

The 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Day 3 – Afternoon Session

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Jimmy White’s defence of the World Seniors title came to an end at the hands of Igor Figueiredo. Igor beat him by 3-0 in the first match of this afternoon. The scores are available on snookerscores.net as usual. Jimmy never really settled in this match. Igor was always in control of the first frame and took it comfortably. It looked for all the world that Jimmy would take the second frame but Igor stole it on the last colours. From then on, Jimmy looked very nervous and anxious. Igor did what he had to do and closed the match on a whitewash score.

Here are the pictures taken before and during that match:

The reason I took those “general view” pictures this afternoon is that Mark Allen came on Twitter/X suggesting that nobody was interested in watching this event. I’m not sure why Mark felt the need to post such a thing but when he challenged me to show the crowd … I took the challenge. No, it’s not a full packed house, but, considering that this is a week-day afternoon it’s still a very decent crowd. Actually, there were more people than shown in the pictures. This was taken during frame 3. A number of viewers had left the arena after the first two frames … heading for refreshments or for the loo.

The second match of the afternoon session saw Ken Doherty beat Dechawat Poomjaeng by 3-2. You will find the scores here. Other than the second, all frames were one-sided. Poomy lead 2-1, having scored a 50 break in frame 3. The “danger” seemed to spur Kendo on … he dominated the last two frames, scoring breaks of 51 and 70 in the process.

Here are the images taken during that match:

The 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Day 2 – Evening Session

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The evening session yesterday saw the conclusion of the round of 16 at the “Seniors Crucible”.

In the first match of the evening, the “Canary”, Barry Pinches, beat Joe Johnson quite convincingly by 3-1. Barry played really well, and scored well too. If he can keep that form he’s certainly a contender for the title. You will find the scores here. At the time of writing the scores for the last frame are missing. As always Barry was huffing and puffing throughout but he was getting on with the job mercilessly …

Here are the pictures taken during that match:

The last match of the day – and the last of the last 16 round – was eagerly anticipated. The unpredictable Dechawat Poomjaeng was due to face the always very serious Darren Morgan. Nobody knew what to expect … except for the unexpected. When “Poomy” turned up – rather last minute – I was probably the first to meet him in the corridor …

… and he asked me, rather anxiously, if he needed a bowtie … 😄 … I wouldn’t mind one way or the other, I’m just a photographer that was not my decision to take!

Anyway… the guy is crazy (in a nice way) but there was nothing much crazy coming out of his cue once he was at the table! He beat Darren Morgan by 3-1 and it could easily have been 3-0! Here are the scores.

And the images taken during the match…

Considering that yesterday was a week-day, the event was very well attended by the public. Then, of course, Jimmy was playing …

Here is the program for today … in the order of play

  • Jimmy White v Igor Figueiredo (12h local time)
  • Dechawat Poomjaeng v Ken Doherty (approximatively 14h)
  • Stuart Watson v Tony Drago (19h)
  • Barry Pinches v James Wattana (approximatively 21h)

The 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Day 2 – Afternoon session

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The action continued today at the Crucible, in front of a good crowd, considering that this is aweek day and and afternoon session.

The first match of the day saw Tony Drago beat Michael Judge by 3-1. The full results are on snookerscores.net. I wasn’t expecting anything from Tony who, in recent years, has suffered some serious health issues but he played really well. He’s certainly been putting the hourd in on the practice table. Nothing at all against Michael Judge but I’m very pleased for Tony. Here are the images taken before and during that match.

The next match saw the defending champion, Jimmy White take on Andrew Norman, a player who had never before played at the Crucible. Andrew, who used to work at the SWSA in Gloucester, took the first two frames. A big upset looked on the cards at that stage. But the match turned on one ball in the next frame, a frame Jimmy took before winning the next two. Andrew, who was watched by his wife and young son Elliott, had no complaints. Despite the defeat he told me that he had enjoyed the experience. You couldn’t meet a nicer man than Andrew. I was gutted for him, more than he was himself.

Here are the images taken before and during that match, a match during which Leo Scullion was really put to hard work!

It all brought back a lot of memories from the SWSA days. Both Andrew and Jimmy were managed by Paul Mount for a while, Andrew worked at the SWSA and Clive Brown, who was marking this match, used to be the TD at the Pink Ribbon… those were the days…

The 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Day 1 – Evening Session

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The first match of the evening saw Stuart Watson literally destroy Tony Knowles, beating him by 3-0. The scores are available on snookerscores.net . At the time of writing the score of the last frame is clearly wrong. This is manual entry and should be the other way around. When I say destroy, it’s not like Tony was potted off the table but he never looked at ease and Stuart was in a very punishing mood whenever Tony made a mistake. Stuart is making the most of his opportunity: he wasn’t originally in the draw and was called in when Mohamed Khairy was forced to withdraw because of visa issues.

Here are the images from that match:

The second match of the evening was a really good one. Tessa Davidson, the Women Seniors Champion gave a really good account of herself. She was extremely nervous at the start of the match but, after the first frame, she was able to show how good she is. She was beaten by Igor Figueiredo, by 3-1, but Igor had to play really well to get the win. In the second frame – which she won – Tessa made a very good 76 break. Again the scores are on snookerscores.net but at the time of writing, the last frame is missing and Tessa’s break isn’t shown. There was a lot of praise in the media room for both players.

Here are the images of that match:

Regarding the “media” conditions I have to say that they are excellent. We have a nice media room and the wifi is working great. I was very happy to see everyone again and, it seems, everyone was happy to see me back as well 😀

The 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Day 1 – Afternoon session

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And so it begins… the first session of this year “Seniors Crucible” was played this afternoon. We are only at the last 16 stage but every match is important of course. These are short matches – best of 5 – and there is a 30 seconds shot clock. 30 seconds is plenty of time and shouldn’t be a problem for anyone. The idea is to prevent players to get bogged down.

Before the start of the event, I took a walk around the venue. Outside and inside…

The first match of the day saw James Wattana beat Rodney Goggins by 3-2. At 54 James Wattana can still play to a very good standard!

Here are the images of that match:

In the second match of the afternoon Ken Doherty faced Tyson Crinis from Australia. Ken beat him by 3-1. The scores are on snookerscores.net and, as you can see the match was actually a really close affair. All credits to Tyson there because this certainly was a totally unfamiliar environment and the time difference was bound to take its toll on him too. Before the match started, Neil Robertson sent a video message in support of his compatriot which was quite nice to see. I do hope that Tyson enjoyed the experience, he certainly didn’t disgrace himself!

Here are the images of that match:

Seniors of Sheffield Day Returns to the Crucible

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The welcome news was shared by WSS

SENIORS OF SHEFFIELD DAY RETURNS TO THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE

World Seniors Snooker is delighted to announce the return of the Seniors of Sheffield Day which will take place during the World Seniors Snooker Championship on Friday 10 May.

In partnership with Age UK Sheffield, the day will bring 600 local residents from the aging population in the city to the Crucible Theatre to watch the event and meet some legends of the snooker world.

The number of over 50’s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6. This compares to around 1.4 million in 2016/7 – a 49% increase in 10 years and Age UK reported in 2016 that there are 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK.

Jason Francis, Chairman of World Seniors Snooker and creator of the initiative, said “According to our partners Age UK half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all. Loneliness, living alone and poor social connections is hugely detrimental to people’s health”

Rohit Sagoo, World Seniors Director said “It’s about getting those who are in the aging population in Sheffield out of their seats, out of their homes to come and watch some snooker at the Crucible.”

John Parrott, 1991 World Snooker Champion said “It’s a brilliant idea, everyone’s excited to see the snooker and meet some of the legends. It’s a wonderful initiative for the event and the city”

Lucy Sharp from Age UK Sheffield said “Last year was such an amazing success and we have been inundated with requests for tickets this year. Giving the people of Sheffield a day out to meet the stars, meet each other and see some snooker has been so well received”

The Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker Championship which will be played between 8-12 May and be shown live in the UK on Channel 5.

Tickets are now on sale via the Crucible on 0114 2496000 or online at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

To find out more about Age UK please visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Mr Vegas 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship – Draw and Schedule

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This was shared by WSS yesterday

Mr Vegas World Seniors Championship 2024 | Schedule

World Seniors Snooker is pleased to confirm the schedule for the 2024 Mr Vegas World Seniors Championship.

The tournament sees a global field of 16 cueists head to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield aiming to secure the prestigious title at snooker’s most iconic venue. This year, for the first time, the Mr Vegas World Seniors Championship will be broadcast live on Channel 5 in the UK from 8-12 May.

First Round Schedule

Wednesday 8th May

  • 12pm
  • James Wattana (Thailand) vs. Rodney Goggins (Ireland)
  • Ken Doherty (Ireland) vs. Tyson Crinis (Australia)
  • 7pm
  • Tony Knowles (England) vs. Mohamed Khairy (Egypt)
  • Igor Figueiredo (Brazil) vs. Tessa Davidson (England)

Thursday 9th May

  • 12pm
  • Tony Drago (Malta) vs. Michael Judge (Ireland)
  • Jimmy White (England) vs. Andrew Norman (England)
  • 7pm
  • Joe Johnson (England) vs. Barry Pinches (England)
  • Darren Morgan (Wales) vs. Dechawat Poomjaeng (Thailand)

Jimmy White arrives in Sheffield looking to secure a record-extending fifth World Seniors crown and he will begin his campaign against Andrew Norman in the second match of the afternoon session on day two, following Malta’s Tony Drago against Michael Judge.

The honour of opening the event falls to qualifier Rodney Goggins and James Wattana, who is competing in the Mr Vegas World Seniors Championship for the first time since 2019, who will be followed by 1997 World champion Ken Doherty against Australia’s Tyson Crinis on the first afternoon.

Wednesday evening sees former World number two Tony Knowles begin his campaign against Egypt’s Mohamed Khairy before Igor Figueiredo and World Women’s Snooker Seniors champion Tessa Davidson face off in the final match of day one.

Former World champion Joe Johnson then headlines the second evening, taking on veteran former professional Barry Pinches, before Darren Morgan and Dechawat Poomjaeng conclude the opening round of action.

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 May.

The 2024 Mr Vegas World Seniors Championship final will get underway at Sunday 12 May at 12 o’clock.

Tickets are now on sale from just £17.50 via the Crucible on 0114 2496000 or online at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

This is a truly, diverse, international line-up! Bring it on!

More information about the Mr Vegas 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship

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The four referees who will be officiating at the Crucible for the Mr Vegas 2024 World Seniors Snooker Championship have been announced. They are Michaela Tabb, Leo Scullion, Tatiana Woollaston and Mark Beale, who has been officiation at the 900 all season. Senior snooker is in safe hands!

It has also been announced that there will be a 30 seconds shot clock. Jason Francis has explained that this decision was taken to prevent players from getting bogged down and matches from dragging unnecessarily. Channel 5 will broadcast the event live in the UK – which is great – and they are a commercial channel. They need “time slots” for advertising and that of course adds to the duration of the matches. So it’s important that matches stay “fluent”.