Bobby Riddaway - Dunstable - £1,209.42

Pre-Event Article:

Event Report:

Two weeks after retaining their World Crown in Blackpool, the England Junior Pool Team, accompanied by their manager Judi Collins, attended a charity event at Dunstable Snooker Club in Bedfordshire. England brought a strong squad, which included current Junior World Champion, Frank Costello, and current Junior World Masters champion and European Champion, Joe O’Connor. The event raised of £1200 for the charity Against Breast Cancer, and the day also included an exhibition by former Mens World Champions Carl ‘Houdini’ Morris and Phil ‘Farmer’ Harrison.

Bobby Riddaway, the Bedfordshire Pool Association Youth Manager, welcomed the team to Dunstable before Paul Cox, County Chairman, took the title of announcer for the day. Bedfordshire, having the weekend before moved to the top of the region after 6 matches of the 10 match county series, were represented by most of their young squad. The were led out by Captain, Tom Church and Vice Captain, Josh Riddaway, who had just returned from a good display at the World Championships. The remaining squad members from Bedfordshire were Chris Haywood, David O Brien, Chris Wells, James Molloy, M-Jaye Waller, Callum Tyler, Liam Murnane, Joel Riddaway, George Steptoe and James Rush.

The day then commenced with a best of 13 match between Bedfordshire and England. James Molloy and Tom Church managed to rack up frames for Bedfordshire but a combination of missing a couple of chances and the sheer class of England led to an 11 – 2 defeat for Bedfordshire. There was also a singles competition, which was won by Jack Smithers, England International, but along the way a number of Bedfordshire players took England Scalps.

Following the match itself, Frank Costello and Joe O’Connor played a doubles match versus Phil Harrison and Carl Morris, which went all the way. Phil and Carl then took turns playing volunteers for charity, with a couple of players winning and claiming a free drink at the bar. Then the part that had been anticipated for most of the day took place, with Carl ‘ Houdini’ Morris demonstrating his amazing trick shot ability. The highlight involved Beds Youth Vice Manager, Dave Molloy sitting on the floor with a coat over his head and a shoe in a very precarious position. Carl proceeded to chip the white ball off the table, into the shoe, just missing two glasses either side – luckily this was captured on video and this video can be viewed on the facebook page of Beds Bear – the mascot of the Beds youth team.

Finally, the day closed with the raffle and a prize of a 42” TV, donated by Dunstable Snooker Club, was awarded to one lucky ticket holder.

Everyone had a fantastic day and this was a very good experience for the Beds Youth Team which has made big strides over the last 18 months and still has a very young squad. With four matches to go in the county season they lead the way and are hoping to go one better than last year and qualify for the main national team event in Yarmouth (last year they played in the runners up event in Yarmouth.)