Stephen Maguire, who recently had laser-eye surgery, won the first event of the new Pro-Challenge Series at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds by beating Alan McManus 5 - 2 in the final.
Maguire was in fact the only top-16 player at the event. Maguire's highest break in the match was only 68, but was still able to defeat McManus.
Maguire comments on the Pro-Challenge Series and the Northern Snooker Centre: "It's great for the players to be able to play competitive matches. The club is one of the nicest I've ever been to, with really friendly people, and the playing conditions were good."
The next Pro-Challenge event is a 'Super-Sixes' (6-red snooker) event at Pontin's, Prestatyn, North Wales, on August 31st - September 1st.
Photos from the event were taken by Matt (ProSnookerBlog) and Ryan (crucible77 from TSF) and can be viewed on the links below. Cheers guys!
http://prosnookerblog.com/2009/07/31/pro-challenge-event-one-my-photo-gallery/#more-9568
http://ryan147.com/2009/07/30/pro-challenge-event-1-2009/#more-1932
31.7.09
WORLD SNOOKER QUALIFIERS TO BE STREAMED ON THE INTERNET
110sport.TV have announced a three-year deal with World Snooker to stream all 48 days of the qualifying events at the World Snooker's Main Tour throughout the season on the internet.
This is very good news for snooker. It has been mentioned many times that World Snooker should take the opportunity to gives fans the chance to watch these qualifying events, only a small number of people in comparison to the final stages of events can watch the qualifiers. Now with the advantages of the internet the matches can be streamed so that fans can watch their favourites at home.
110sport will stream 2 matches from each session of qualifying, these matches are chosen in advance. We don't know the quality of the picture on 110sport.TV, but as they are charging £2.99 per session it should be of very good quality to justify that amount.
110sport.TV is due to launch on August 3rd, the first day of the new season's qualifiers (Shanghai Masters). They state on their website that it's only due to launch in the U.K and Far East, which is a little disappointing for those outside the U.K and Far East. Once again, the fans in Europe won't be able to watch this. In my opinion, most of the money from this would have came from European fans.
As mentioned above, the price is £2.99 per session, which I think is too high. It hasn't been announced if their will be any commentary either. Though Dave Hendon said in a post in the comments section on his blog that it could be Rob Walker.
Overall, good news. But when I heard the price I was a little disappointed.
You can read the official press release on World Snooker's website, and the matches due to be streamed on the internet, here: http://www.worldsnooker.com/Pro_Challenge01_news-56982.htm?tid=158
This is very good news for snooker. It has been mentioned many times that World Snooker should take the opportunity to gives fans the chance to watch these qualifying events, only a small number of people in comparison to the final stages of events can watch the qualifiers. Now with the advantages of the internet the matches can be streamed so that fans can watch their favourites at home.
110sport will stream 2 matches from each session of qualifying, these matches are chosen in advance. We don't know the quality of the picture on 110sport.TV, but as they are charging £2.99 per session it should be of very good quality to justify that amount.
110sport.TV is due to launch on August 3rd, the first day of the new season's qualifiers (Shanghai Masters). They state on their website that it's only due to launch in the U.K and Far East, which is a little disappointing for those outside the U.K and Far East. Once again, the fans in Europe won't be able to watch this. In my opinion, most of the money from this would have came from European fans.
As mentioned above, the price is £2.99 per session, which I think is too high. It hasn't been announced if their will be any commentary either. Though Dave Hendon said in a post in the comments section on his blog that it could be Rob Walker.
Overall, good news. But when I heard the price I was a little disappointed.
You can read the official press release on World Snooker's website, and the matches due to be streamed on the internet, here: http://www.worldsnooker.com/Pro_Challenge01_news-56982.htm?tid=158
25.7.09
PRO-CHALLENGE SERIES EVENT ONE
World Snooker have announced details of Event One of the Pro-challenge series.
----------
Pro Challenge Series - Event 1
Format 28-30 July 2009
Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds
Tuesday 28 July 2009
7pm
Match 1 – Fergal O’Brien v Robert Milkins
Match 2 – Mark Boyle v Matthew Selt
Match 3 – Marcus Campbell v Andrew Norman
Match 4 – Gerard Greene v Graeme Dott
Match 5 – Ken Doherty v Jimmy White
Match 6 – Andrew Higginson v Lee Spick
Match 7 – Bjorn Haneveer v Ricky Walden
Match 8 – Mark Davis v Stephen Maguire
Wednesday 29 July 2009
10am
Match 11- Judd Trump v Mark Joyce
Match 12- Alan McManus v Matthew Couch
Match 14 – Sam Baird v Jamie Cope
Match 17 – Simon Bedford v Michael Holt
Match 18 – Ben Woollaston v Stephen Lee
Match 21 – Jordan Brown v Craig Steadman
Match 23 – Tom Ford v Peter Lines
Match 24 – Dave Harold v Stuart Bingham
Not Before 11.30am
Match 9 – Tony Drago v Winner of match 1
Match 10 –Barry Pinches v Winner of match 2
Match 13 – Christopher Norbury v Winner of match 3
Match 15 – Joe Swail v Winner of match 4
Match 16 – Jimmy Michie v Winner of match 5
Match 19 – Jimmy Robertson v Winner of match 6
Match 20 – Daniel Wells v Winner of match 7
Match 22 – Rod Lawler v Winner of match 8
Not Before 3.30pm
Match 25 –Winner of match 9 v Winner of match 10
Match 26 –Winner of match 11 v Winner of match 12
Match 27 –Winner of match 13 v Winner of match 14
Match 28 - Winner of match 15 v Winner of match 16
Match 29 –Winner of match 17 v Winner of match 18
Match 30 – Winner of match 19 v Winner of match 20
Match 31 –Winner of match 21 v Winner of match 22
Match 32 – Winner of match 23 v Winner of match 24
Not Before 6pm
QF1 –Winner of match 25 v Winner of Match 26
QF2 – Winner of match 27 v Winner of Match 28
QF3 – Winner of match 29 v Winner of match 30
QF4 – Winner of match 31 v Winner of match 32
Thursday 30 July 2009
10am
SF1 – Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2
SF2 – Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4
3pm
Final – Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2
All matches up to and including the Quarter Finals will be the best of 7 frames, Semi Finals and the Final will be the best of 9 frames.
Matches will be played on a roll on/roll off basis and play will commence at 10am each day and will continue until all matches are completed.
Source - worldsnooker.com
----------
Pro Challenge Series - Event 1
Format 28-30 July 2009
Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds
Tuesday 28 July 2009
7pm
Match 1 – Fergal O’Brien v Robert Milkins
Match 2 – Mark Boyle v Matthew Selt
Match 3 – Marcus Campbell v Andrew Norman
Match 4 – Gerard Greene v Graeme Dott
Match 5 – Ken Doherty v Jimmy White
Match 6 – Andrew Higginson v Lee Spick
Match 7 – Bjorn Haneveer v Ricky Walden
Match 8 – Mark Davis v Stephen Maguire
Wednesday 29 July 2009
10am
Match 11- Judd Trump v Mark Joyce
Match 12- Alan McManus v Matthew Couch
Match 14 – Sam Baird v Jamie Cope
Match 17 – Simon Bedford v Michael Holt
Match 18 – Ben Woollaston v Stephen Lee
Match 21 – Jordan Brown v Craig Steadman
Match 23 – Tom Ford v Peter Lines
Match 24 – Dave Harold v Stuart Bingham
Not Before 11.30am
Match 9 – Tony Drago v Winner of match 1
Match 10 –Barry Pinches v Winner of match 2
Match 13 – Christopher Norbury v Winner of match 3
Match 15 – Joe Swail v Winner of match 4
Match 16 – Jimmy Michie v Winner of match 5
Match 19 – Jimmy Robertson v Winner of match 6
Match 20 – Daniel Wells v Winner of match 7
Match 22 – Rod Lawler v Winner of match 8
Not Before 3.30pm
Match 25 –Winner of match 9 v Winner of match 10
Match 26 –Winner of match 11 v Winner of match 12
Match 27 –Winner of match 13 v Winner of match 14
Match 28 - Winner of match 15 v Winner of match 16
Match 29 –Winner of match 17 v Winner of match 18
Match 30 – Winner of match 19 v Winner of match 20
Match 31 –Winner of match 21 v Winner of match 22
Match 32 – Winner of match 23 v Winner of match 24
Not Before 6pm
QF1 –Winner of match 25 v Winner of Match 26
QF2 – Winner of match 27 v Winner of Match 28
QF3 – Winner of match 29 v Winner of match 30
QF4 – Winner of match 31 v Winner of match 32
Thursday 30 July 2009
10am
SF1 – Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2
SF2 – Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4
3pm
Final – Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2
All matches up to and including the Quarter Finals will be the best of 7 frames, Semi Finals and the Final will be the best of 9 frames.
Matches will be played on a roll on/roll off basis and play will commence at 10am each day and will continue until all matches are completed.
Source - worldsnooker.com
22.7.09
ALEX HIGGINS ON THE WEAKEST LINK
Alex Higgins, to some the snooker 'mad-man', will be appearing on a Sporting Stars Weakest Link special this coming Saturday (25th) at 5:50pm.
18.7.09
PROFESSIONAL HAS SWINE FLU
Adrain Gunnell, the world number 42, has the Swine Flu virus.
SnookerWorldBlog wishes Adrain a speedy recovery and hopefully can return fit and healthy and be ready for the Shanghai Masters qualifiers starting August 3.
SnookerWorldBlog wishes Adrain a speedy recovery and hopefully can return fit and healthy and be ready for the Shanghai Masters qualifiers starting August 3.
7.7.09
GLOBAL SNOOKER AWARDS
The popular snooker resource, global-snooker.com, have announced that they will hold an awards evening on October 13th to recognise achievements of snooker players and broadcasters and others involved in the sport. It will take place at the 5-star Celtic Manor Resort.
These sort of awards evenings are usually held by the WPBSA but more recently have been held by the Snooker Writers' Association. It will be the first Global Snooker Awards evening.
Hopefully the event will be a success and hopefully attract media coverage and, hopefully, be an annual event.
It is possible to put your views forward in who should win the awards, just visit http://global-snooker.com/global-snooker-events-golden-global-snooker-awards-main.asp to take part in the survey.
Some money will also be donated to charity, the two charities involved are the Paul Hunter Foundation and the Tenovus Cancer Charity.
A golf day, hosted by Mark Williams, will take place on the same day. It is possible to register a team to compete at golf against 'snooker celebrities' at a cost of £1,200 plus VAT per team. A table of ten for the awards evening can be reserved at £1,000 or an individual ticket for just £100 plus VAT. Click on the link above for more information.
These sort of awards evenings are usually held by the WPBSA but more recently have been held by the Snooker Writers' Association. It will be the first Global Snooker Awards evening.
Hopefully the event will be a success and hopefully attract media coverage and, hopefully, be an annual event.
It is possible to put your views forward in who should win the awards, just visit http://global-snooker.com/global-snooker-events-golden-global-snooker-awards-main.asp to take part in the survey.
Some money will also be donated to charity, the two charities involved are the Paul Hunter Foundation and the Tenovus Cancer Charity.
A golf day, hosted by Mark Williams, will take place on the same day. It is possible to register a team to compete at golf against 'snooker celebrities' at a cost of £1,200 plus VAT per team. A table of ten for the awards evening can be reserved at £1,000 or an individual ticket for just £100 plus VAT. Click on the link above for more information.
2.7.09
WORLD SNOOKER ANNOUNCE PRO-CHALLENGE SERIES
World Snooker have announced a new series of tournaments, the Pro-challenge series.
I think it is a good idea by World Snooker, however we all would all rather have more ranking tournaments.
As far as I am aware, there isn't any news on any live streaming. I'm sure that it won't be on TV. If I know of any news I will post to let everybody know.
Dates are available on http://www.worldsnooker.com/2009_World_Snooker_Jiangsu_Classic_news-53836.htm?tid=139
I think it is a good idea by World Snooker, however we all would all rather have more ranking tournaments.
As far as I am aware, there isn't any news on any live streaming. I'm sure that it won't be on TV. If I know of any news I will post to let everybody know.
Dates are available on http://www.worldsnooker.com/2009_World_Snooker_Jiangsu_Classic_news-53836.htm?tid=139
26.6.09
I, as many other 'snookerists' have too, joined Twitter.
I don't have anything else to say on that!
twitter.com/snookerblogSWB
I don't have anything else to say on that!
twitter.com/snookerblogSWB
20.6.09
TCC PRO AM. ON CUE SPORT TV
The TCC Pro-Am, with players such as Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy, Ricky Walden, Ryan Day and Darren Morgan, and even top cue-maker Trevor White taking part! It will be streamed LIVE in HD on CueSportTV. The channel now has a payment system in place. The link to the prices is at the bottom of the page. I would recommend contacting CueSportTV to confirm the best payment method.
CueSportTV are trialling the HD service. Also, highlights programmes will be made, which will be free to view after 6 months.
Here is the link to prices:
http://cuesporttv.com/blog/cuesport-tv-move-to-subscription-content
And CueSportTV's news story on their blog:
http://cuesporttv.com/blog/hd-streaming-trial-for-tcc-pro-am
EDIT - This event will not be live, see comment below...
CueSportTV are trialling the HD service. Also, highlights programmes will be made, which will be free to view after 6 months.
Here is the link to prices:
http://cuesporttv.com/blog/cuesport-tv-move-to-subscription-content
And CueSportTV's news story on their blog:
http://cuesporttv.com/blog/hd-streaming-trial-for-tcc-pro-am
EDIT - This event will not be live, see comment below...
WILDCARDS
Sorry for the delay in posting the news. The four World Snooker wildcards were given to David Gray, Ian Preece, Andrew Norman and Joe Jogia.
World Snooker chose these wilcards as they were the highest on the one-year ranking lists not to have automatically be on the Main Tour next season. With the exception of Joe Jogia, Joe came top of the P.I.O.S, Pontin's International Open Series. As Joe did not have a membership to his national governing body, a rule of the P.I.O.S, he was unable to qualify to the Main Tour, however the wildcard saved him.
I do not think this is a fair way of deciding the wildcards. World Snooker seem to be ignoring the new breed of young players coming through.
World Snooker shouldn't ignore the older, more experienced players. The players which were chosen, in my opinion, is not a reasonable selection as I don't feel they are more deserving of the wildcards than some of the younger players, there are many which are deserving of it.
We all will have different opinions, but I, and others, do not feel World Snooker have made the right choice in deciding the wildcards. World Snooker have been taking many risks to try to introduce a different audience to the game, the most well-known was the 'Super Sixes' at the recent World Championship and also the 'Hot Shots' programme, which has failed to make any impact on the game at the moment.
Why would World Snooker bring in schemes to encourage the younger players then totally ignore them at the perfect opportunity?
World Snooker chose these wilcards as they were the highest on the one-year ranking lists not to have automatically be on the Main Tour next season. With the exception of Joe Jogia, Joe came top of the P.I.O.S, Pontin's International Open Series. As Joe did not have a membership to his national governing body, a rule of the P.I.O.S, he was unable to qualify to the Main Tour, however the wildcard saved him.
I do not think this is a fair way of deciding the wildcards. World Snooker seem to be ignoring the new breed of young players coming through.
World Snooker shouldn't ignore the older, more experienced players. The players which were chosen, in my opinion, is not a reasonable selection as I don't feel they are more deserving of the wildcards than some of the younger players, there are many which are deserving of it.
We all will have different opinions, but I, and others, do not feel World Snooker have made the right choice in deciding the wildcards. World Snooker have been taking many risks to try to introduce a different audience to the game, the most well-known was the 'Super Sixes' at the recent World Championship and also the 'Hot Shots' programme, which has failed to make any impact on the game at the moment.
Why would World Snooker bring in schemes to encourage the younger players then totally ignore them at the perfect opportunity?
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