English Seniors Qualifying 2009-10

Three former winners of the English Seniors event are through to the last 16, March 28^th at a venue to be confirmed after a healthy entry of 46 players competed at three clubs in Round Robin phase and one final knockout round.

Last seasons winner only finish 2^nd in his group behind Tony Buckley who beat Mark Rowing 3-2 to claim pole position Buckley beating Graham Hickman 3-0,

Rowing made breaks earlier of 102,76 runs of 67 and 57 to beat John Prime 3-0.

Other group winners to qualify Less Dodd, ex champion John Welsh best group difference 9-0 and Philip Freeman.

Andrew Milliard, Anthony Massey and Kevin Firth also reached the last 16, Frith the only player to reach the knockout stage from 4^th place ended his day in style with the events highest break so far 123 in his last frame to beat Group B winner Ian Duckworth,

John Welsh made seven breaks over fifty topped by runs of 81 and 84, John Prime 74 and 87, Alan Edmonds absence from national events for a long time 75 the Shrimper led Alan Massey 2-0 in the final round but to no avail in the events strongest section.

Former English Amateur Champion Steve Judd who defeated The Rocket in the final is through along with ex Seniors winner Colin Mitchell although both finished 2^nd in their groups winning the final match 3-1.

Mike Smith, Gary Miller and Gary Morris completed the strong group of five players to qualify for the last 16 with Morris showing the best frame difference 9-1 and making the highest break 62.

Unusually none of the group winners qualified all the 2^nd placed players overhauled them which included last seasons runner up Colin Norton 2-1 down to Jago Bidmead who’s 6-1 frame difference was the day’s best.

Richard Somauroo who bagged the highest break earlier 91 opened with scores of 55 and 50 to lead Ashley Beal but lost 3-2 to qualify.

And finally Ali Bassiri overcame Andy Stone 3-1 who had beaten him 3-2 in the Round Robins.

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