Wayne Martin wins the Seniors Championship

Wayne Martin defeated Keith Holgate 4-2 to capture the Seniors crown for an incredible fourth time in as many years. This is a title that Wayne just doesn’t seem to want to relinquish and it’s going to take something special from someone to stop him winning it next season as well.

Match report

Frame 1
Wayne 74-41 Keith
Wayne took an early lead thanks to a 43 break and Keith was then battling to get back into the frame, eventually needing snookers before Wayne potted blue and pink to win the frame and lead 1-0.

Frame 2
Wayne 64 – 56 Keith
Consistent scoring by Wayne saw him take a decent lead but some excellent snookers from Keith and a nice 19 break put him in front. He looked on course to take the frame but his attempt at the brown in the middle was slightly under-hit and Wayne duly potted brown, blue and pink to pinch the frame and lead 2-0.

Frame 3
Wayne 16-50 Keith
Nip and tuck until Keith made a nice 32 break which left Wayne needing snookers with one red left. A slip up by Wayne left the red hanging over the pocket and he conceded the frame to Keith, Wayne now leading the match 2-1.

Frame 4
Wayne 51-10 Keith
Solid scoring by Wayne in this frame saw him take a 3-1 lead.

Frame 5
Wayne 54-69 Keith
A nervy Start saw both players spurn some excellent opportunities to score heavily. Wayne made steady progress but a lovely 37 break from Keith, who had now visibly picked up the pace, put him 12 points ahead. Some uncharacteristic loose safety from Wayne allowed Keith to pick off a red, yellow and Green to move 20 points ahead with 18 remaining. But then Keith left the brown over the bag and Wayne potted it, followed by the blue to reduce the deficit to just 9 points. Another loose safety from Wayne then saw Keith pot the pink to take the frame and now trail 2-3.

Frame 6
Wayne 61-10 Keith
Steady scoring from Wayne to start the frame was followed by a nice run of 36 which saw him over the line and seal a 4-2 victory.

Prize Money

Winner: £65
Runner-up: £25

Results from Earlier Rounds

Semi-Finals

1. Ant McMahon 1-4 Wayne Martin (Jan 26)
2. Keith Holgate 3-0 Gary Spencer (Jan 28)

Quarter-Finals

1. Terry Dowson 1-3 Wayne Martin (Jan 3)
2. Gary Spencer 3-0 Cary Davies (Jan 11)
3. Alan Caulton 1-3 Ant McMahon (Jan 3)
4. Keith Holgate 3-1 Richard Wheelhouse (Jan 9)

Preliminary Round

1. Kevin Barlow 1-3 Terry Dowson (Dec 17)
2. Patrick Ashurst 2-3 Richard Wheelhouse (Dec 12)

Previous Recorded Winners

2024: Wayne Martin
2023: Wayne Martin
2022: Wayne Martin
2009: Tony Hart
1998: Tony Hart
1997: Tony Hart
1996: Tony Hart
1995: Tony Hart
1987: T Hunt
1985: Cyril Barnett
1984: Cyril Barnett