EASB Pro-Ticket Play-offs

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ENGLISH PRO TICKET PLAY OFFS

BAIRD WINS ON FINAL BALL

AGAIN CRAGGS RUNNER UP

Sam Baird, 20, Cullompton, Devon claimed England's second Main Tour nomination defeating David Craggs, 37, Tow Law Town, Durham 6-5 on the final black, Northern SC, Leeds after trailing 5-1.

Baird who finished 9th in the PTT rankings led by 49 points in the deciding frame and missed match ball 4th last red, Craggs cleared brilliantly with 48 but somehow he missed the black of it's spot to leave Baird a simple but nerve racking shot.

Craggs 5th in the PTT table and runner the previous Sunday in the English Amateur final sprinted to a 5-1 lead which included a break of 90 in the 3rd frame winning all his frames comfortably.

Baird then won the next four frames easily to set up the last frame, which will probably live in both player's memory's for a long time.

Frame scores Craggs first ;
(73-27), (29-80), 90(90-13), (68-8), (65-32), (71-19), (33-65), (23-59), (18-63),
(38-68),(60-68) – 5-6.

Baird won his first two games easily beating Jeff Cundy 5-1 and Adam Wicheard 5-2, Baird 69, Wicheard 61 for 2-2, Baird 96 for 3-2 taking the final two frames well.

He trailed Sean Bullock 3-1 in the last eight, Bullock 50,66 and 63 breaks, Baird 70 and a 62 break in the 8th frame won on the black.

In the semi finals he fought back from 3-0 down winning 5-4 against Jack Lisowski who made breaks of 66 and 60, Baird a 82 break for 3-3 and led 4-3 the final frame easily taken.

Craggs also won his opening two matches easily Scott Raper 5-0 runs of 92,51, 43 and 48, Brian Cox 5-2, Robbie Williams 5-4 from 4-1 up and finally free scoring Stuart Carrington 5-3, Craggs 58 break led 3-1, Carrington 89 for 3-3, Craggs 56 break in the 8th frame.

Carrington only dropped four frames in his first three matches beating Dean Venables 5-1, 104 break, Gary Wilson 5-1, 118.104 and 78 efforts and Michael Wild 5-2, 53 break.

Lisowski accounted for Alfie Burden 5-3 from 3-2 down, Burden runs of 72 and 88, Lisowski 75 and a match winning 98 and Chris Norbury 5-4 after racing to a 4-0 lead with breaks of 74,72 and 50.

David Portman led Shaun Parkes 3-0 but lost 5-4 with Parkes making the weekend's highest break in the decider a 135 however the tables turned in the next match Parkes led Robbie Williams 4-2 only for his opponent to make a 89 break in the final frame.

See www.englishsnooker.com for all the results/news.

Malcolm Thorne
Media - English Snooker