Snooker: Trio Represent Bermuda In Canada
The Bermuda Snooker Association sent a team of three players to represent Bermuda at the International Snooker League [ISL] Tournament held at ‘The Corner Bank,’ Toronto, Canada.
Warwick’s Steven Bremar, Sandy’s Paul Fedden and The Royal Artillery Association’s Kyle Williams competed in the Team event, Singles Handicap, Don Thomas Handicap, Doubles Handicap and Singles Scratch competitions.
Team Event
The first day of play saw the Team event get under way, with Bremar putting in a devastating performance as he defeated all four of his opponents in a clean sweep and Fedden took 2 of his 4 frames.
Williams however came back for Bermuda to take three out of his four frames in an outstanding debut appearance, leaving Bermuda securely in the Semi-Finals. Sadly though it wasn’t to be, as despite a 40 break from Fedden and strong performances from Bremar and Williams, the team were defeated by the eventual team event winners, Canada.
Singles Handicap
In the Singles Handicap competition, Fedden was outgunned by Canada’s Nick Macos when they met in the 1st Round, Macos taking the win and sending Fedden into a separate tournament, the Don Thomas Handicap, for players who exited in the 1st round of the Singles Handicap.
Williams continued to represent Bermuda well with his 1st round win over Canadian legend Kenny Shea, arguably one of the best players never to have turned professional. Williams was unable to build on his success against Shea however when he was defeated by Chris Purslow, playing for the New York Knights in the 2nd Round.
Bremar fared rather better however, defeating USA’s Michelle Magazine and Canada’s Mike Cooper before being defeated by Canada’s Ayo Abraham in the 3rd Round. Ireland’s Tommy Doherty lifted the trophy when he dispatched Abraham in the Final.
Doubles Handicap
In the Doubles, Williams and Fedden were randomly drawn to play together as a team and started well, fending off Canada’s Rick Mackenzie and Don Mullholland to go through to the 2nd Round. However Canadians Chris Purslow and John Carswell put pay to any further progress when they defeated Fedden and Williams convincingly in the 2nd Round.
Bremar was randomly partnered with USA’s Michelle Magazine in the 1st Round against Canadian pairing Doug Fox and Bob Boate, Fox and Boate getting the better of them, putting them out of the competition.
The title was won by the pairing of Fergus Condon of Ireland and Dave Carbanaro of Canada.
Singles Scratch
In the Singles scratch, Fedden was methodically eliminated by Canadian master, Kenny Shea in the 1st Round. Despite a good break off shot from Fedden, Shea produced a 39 break at his 1st visit to the table and continued strongly, cinching the match to go through to the 2nd round.
Williams came up against Canada’s Doug Fox in round 1. Fox, one of the top players in the competition, was too strong for Williams however, beating him to go through to Round 2.
For Bremar it was a rather different story, as he defeated Canadian Larry Macdonald, Ireland’s Fergus Condon, and Canadian Mike Mangov to meet Canada’s Doug Fox in the Final. Bremar fought hard against the Canadian but was overcome by him as he lost by 3 – 1. Bremar took home the Singles Scratch Runner up Trophy, a great achievement in such a strong field of players.
Don Thomas Handicap
In the Don Thomas Handicap, Fedden found some form, defeating Ireland’s Fergus Condon, Ireland’s Connor Maguire and Canada’s David Carbonaro to reach the Final, only to lose to Canadian Bob Boate on the black. Fedden took home the runner up trophy.
