• Results

The 49-year-old came through a field of 49 cueists, which included two former World Seniors Championship winners, to secure the victory and join Alfie Burden and Rory McLeod on this season’s roll of honour.

The Race to the Crucible series sees nine events held across the season with the top two ranked players at the conclusion of the final event earning places at the World Seniors Snooker Championship, while those who finish between third and tenth will qualify for the ‘Top 16 Shootout’ – where a further place in Sheffield will be on offer.

Four nations were represented at The Crucible Club in Reading, where the three-day event got underway on Friday afternoon. Lilly began the event in the last 32 stage and kicked off with a comfortable whitewash win over Ian Desmier.

In the last 16 he faced Steven Nevett, who had defeated Toby Pugh in a deciding frame in the previous round despite Hugh compiling a stunning tournament high break of 141 earlier in the contest.

Nevett proved no match for Lilly, however, as he ran out a 4-1 victor before defeating Anthony Harris by the same scoreline to reach the semi-finals. After sharing the first four frames of the last four meeting with Neil Craycraft, the eventual champion then pulled away to complete a 4-2 win and book his place in the final.

2022 World Seniors champion Walker was his opponent in the title match after the 48-year-old Welshman had shown tremendous form to overcome Jason Pusser, Gerard Greene, Matthew Ford and fellow former World Seniors champion Aaron Canavan to reach the final – compiling a trio of century breaks along the way.

Despite Walker scoring a half-century in the opening frame of the final, it went to way of Lilly by a 72-59 scoreline and he quickly doubled his advantage to 2-0 in the best-of-seven frame match.

Walker briefly rallied to halve the deficit, but Lilly was too strong on the day and took the next two frames to complete a 4-1 victory and secure the title in the third Race to the Crucible series event of the season.

Hunter Wins Super Seniors

John Hunter defeated Mukesh Parmar 2-1 in the final of the Super Seniors event on Sunday to win his second title of the season.

The event is open to all cueists over the age of 55 and was held on Sunday alongside the main Race to the Crucible series event.

Hunter, who won the first Super Seniors title of the season in August, furthered his position at the top of the ranking list by coming through four matches to win the tournament.

The 58-year-old Englishman dropped just a single frame in defeating Dave Moritz, Andy Booker and Dennis Tristam to set up a final meeting with fellow countryman Parmar.

Parmar took the opener of the best-of-three frame title match to move one away from victory, but Hunter hit back to force a decider before taking the decisive frame by a scoreline of 68-40 to secure the title.

Event four of the Race to the Crucible series takes place on 22-24 November at The Crucible Club in Reading. Enter now!

The post Dharminder Lilly Lifts Third Race to the Crucible Series Title appeared first on WSS | World Seniors Snooker.

• Player List
• Draw
• Schedule
• Results

A total of 49 cueists from four nations will compete in the three-day event which is the third of nine that will be staged. The new series offers qualification for the World Seniors Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre next May.

The top two ranked players at the conclusion of the series will earn places at the World Seniors Snooker Championship, while those who finish between third and tenth will qualify for the ‘Top 16 Shootout’ – where a further place in Sheffield will be on offer.

Former World Seniors Championship winners Lee Walker and Aaron Canavan are among those in action this weekend in Berkshire. The first two events of the season were won by Alfie Burden and Rory McLeod respectively, neither of who feature in event three.

Learn more about the Race to the Crucible series.

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• Results from LLP Solicitors World Seniors Snooker Championship Qualifying Event 2

The experienced cueman from Norwich – who has previously played at snooker’s most iconic venue in both the professional and seniors world championships – joins last month’s event one winner Andrew Norman on the list of confirmed qualifiers. 

Held at the North East Snooker Centre in North Sheilds, 53-year-old Pinches began his campaign with victories against Ant Parsons (3-0) and Gareth Edwards (3-1) before he defeated multiple-time World Seniors Snooker Tour major event finalist Johnathan Bagley 4-1 in the last eight along with breaks of 90 and 81. 

In the semi-finals Pinches went behind early on to opponent James McGouran but he strung together the next four frames for a 4-1 win.

Coming through the other side of the draw was 2022 world seniors champion Walker. The Welshman recovered from 2-0 down to deny former qualifier Rodney Goggins 4-2 in the quarter-finals and then registered runs of 126 – the highest break of the event – and 78 during a 4-0 success against 2018 champion Aaron Canavan in the last four. 

A decorated final did not disappoint. Walker deposited the opening frame with a 103 clearance although Pinches responded with efforts of 87, 83 and 68 in the next three frames as he went 3-1 up. Professional PTC event winner Pinches then claimed a low-scoring fifth frame to complete victory and book a ticket to Sheffield for the spring. 

The third qualifying event of the season is set to take place across the Irish Sea at the Snooker & Billiards Ireland Academy in Carlow between February 23-25. 

The post Pinches Powers to World Seniors Qualification Event Victory appeared first on WSS | World Seniors Snooker.

• View the draw and schedule here

The pinnacle of the World Seniors Snooker Tour, it is the fifth consecutive year that the event will be held at the iconic Sheffield venue. Following the completion of several qualifying competitions across the season, this year’s field looks to be the strongest yet with nine nationalities represented in the 16-player main draw. 

Some tickets are still available for the Championship via the Sheffield Theatres website here, but if you’re not able to be there in person, details on how to watch the live coverage throughout can be found here. 

The draw was conducted during the professional championship a few weeks ago; let’s check out the ties we can look forward to…

Top Half 

Heading the top of the draw and helping break off the tournament on Wednesday night is reigning and defending champion Lee Walker. 

The Welshman memorably ousted Jimmy White in last year’s final to win the biggest title of his career. He faces a very tricky opening round tie against Gerard Greene, who has been competing on the professional circuit this season. 

Throughout the history and different iterations of the world seniors snooker championship, only one player has successfully defended, or even just won the event more than once – White in 2010, 2019 and 2020. 

Champion in 2017 and one of the most decorated players in seniors tour history, Peter Lines is back for another tilt at the title. The Leeds cueist meets former English amateur champion Ben Hancorn, who will be making his Crucible Theatre bow.

Seven-times world professional champion Stephen Hendry is aiming for his maiden world seniors crown, although the Scot has a tough first rounder against former winner Darren Morgan, who also has a further two final appearances in this event to his name, including here in 2019. 

An intriguing tie, Hendry defeated Morgan here four times in the professional championship during the 1990s – contributing to a very one-sided head-to-head career record. However, Morgan did get the better of Hendry the last time they dueled here in this tournament four years ago in the last eight. 

Completing the top half of the bracket is Ken Doherty versus Alfie Burden. 

Having won world junior, amateur and professional championships throughout his illustrious career, Doherty is still looking to achieve an unprecedented quadruple. He very nearly did so three years ago but agonisingly lost 5-4 to White in the final having been 4-0 up. 

Burden will make an emotional return to Crucible, a quarter of a century on from his sole appearance there in 1998. 

Bottom Half 

The World Seniors Snooker Tour’s most successful player, three-time champion White has reached the final in all four previous editions of the event here – winning 14 out of his 16 matches in total.

Off the back of his best season on the professional circuit in several years, the 61-year-old plays Golden Ticket event winner Philip Williams on Friday night in Sheffield. The final slot in the draw to be filled, Williams booked a third successive appearance here when he caused somewhat of an upset by defeating Craig Steadman in the event final. 

Professional champion in 1986, Joe Johnson has also tasted glory here on the seniors circuit when he claimed the Seniors Masters in 2019. Now aged 70, JJ is 30 years older than his opponent in the first round, Adrian Ridley. 

The Yarrawonga-based star has travelled across the world to perform under the Crucible Theatre lights for the first time; the Australian qualified after winning the Asia-Pacific Seniors Championship in March – dropping just two frames in seven matches.

The popular Tony Drago will make his return to the tournament for the first time since 2019 when the Maltese legend plays Canada’s Vito Puopolo on Thursday night in a cosmopolitan clash. Puopolo – making his debut at the venue – qualified courtesy of claiming the 2022 PABSA Pan-American Seniors Snooker Championship in Toronto last October.

Completing the draw is 2016 winner Mark Davis – five players in this year’s main event have been the champion – versus two-time ranking event winner and three-time Crucible semi-finalist Tony Knowles, who was a late replacement for Egypt’s Mohamed Khairy who withdrew due to visa issues.

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The 46-year-old raised the tournament curtain on Wednesday night and he was the last player standing in Sheffield on Sunday evening, with the title representing the biggest accolade of his career so far. 

Walker, who qualified for the main draw in February, began his campaign in the preliminary round with a 3-0 victory over Tony Knowles before an impressive elimination of Stephen Hendry by the same scoreline in the last 16, a result which included a break of 121. 

However, the Welshman needed to show different qualities during the latter stages of the championship as he became a master of brinksmanship. 

He came back from 0-2 down to deny Ken Doherty 4-2 in the quarter-finals and was even further adrift as he dethroned defending champion David Lilley in the semi-finals – stringing together four frames as he memorably turned a 0-3 deficit into a 4-3 success.  

His opponent in the title match was three-time winner Jimmy White, who was appearing in his fourth consecutive world seniors championship final. 

A vintage White had produced some of his best form in recent years to get there, dropping just one frame in three matches. During his 4-1 win over Rory McLeod in the last eight, The Whirlwind constructed a total clearance of 138, an effort which would stand as the event’s highest this year. He also compiled another total clearance – a 132 – as he saw off reigning UK seniors champion and former winner of this title, Peter Lines, 4-0 in the last four. 

The ever-popular Londoner started the final well, registering a run of 64 in the opening frame and carving out a 3-1 lead going into the mid-session interval. 

On resumption, Walker made a 72 break to take frame five and reduce his arrears, but White went on the brink of a fourth title as he claimed the sixth frame to move 4-2 up in the race to five.  

However, Walker was to conjure up yet another recovery, finding his scoring groove when it mattered the most to become the 11th different winner of this prestigious title. 

He chalked up frame seven and then forced a deciding frame with a clearance of 79 in the eighth. Walker would save his highest effort of the contest until last, though, grabbing his opportunity in the decider by crafting a classy break of 83 to lift the trophy.

The post Walker Wins World Seniors Crown appeared first on WSS | World Seniors Snooker.

• Draw/Schedule
• How to watch

The best of seven semi-finals will take place at the Crucible Theatre on Sunday afternoon from 1300GMT with the best of nine final scheduled to start in the evening at 1900GMT. The final four consists of the defending champion, two former champions and someone aiming to claim the title for the first time. 

That person is qualifier Lee Walker who was the first player through to Finals Day after he defeated Ken Doherty, 4-2. 

Walker – who won both his opening matches 3–0 – found himself 2-0 down to the 1997 world professional champion. However, with the help of two breaks of 56 and a 52, the Welshman turned things around to move in front before holding his nerve by sinking blue and pink in frame six to complete victory. 

Defending champion David Lilley still has the opportunity to become the first maiden winner to successfully retain the title after he dispatched tournament favourite Michael Holt, 4-0. 

Lilley took the first frame on the pink before restricting his opponent to just 13 further points as he registered top runs of 50 and 58. 

The evening session got off to a flyer as three-time world seniors champion Jimmy White conjured up one of his best performances in recent times to eliminate Rory McLeod, 4-1. 

The Whirlwind was in vintage scoring form as he racked up breaks of 53, 138, 71, 74 and 48 to reach the semi-finals of this event for the seventh time. The century in frame two was a total clearance and the new highest break for the tournament. 

Since the championship moved here in 2019, White has lost just once in 14 matches. 

Reigning UK Seniors Champion Peter Lines completed Sunday’s cast at the Crucible following a 4-1 success over fellow former winner of this title, Nigel Bond. The Leeds-based professional top scored with 93. 

Lines lifted the world seniors trophy in Scunthorpe in 2017, and he is now two more wins away from raising it again on Sunday night. As yet, no player has held both the UK and World Seniors Championship titles at the same time. 

Some tickets are available for both sessions on Sunday. Please visit here for more information and to book. 

The post Quartet Confirmed for World Seniors Finals Day appeared first on WSS | World Seniors Snooker.

• View the draw and schedule
• How to watch

Lilley – aiming to become the first maiden winner to retain the title – survived a big scare, coming back from two down with three to play to oust Philip Williams. 

Qualifier Williams opened up a 2-0 lead (56 break, frame one) before Lilley responded with frames three (60 break) and four to level up. However, in a nervy deciding frame, Williams had the opportunity to counter-attack but rattled the final red along the top cushion. The mistake was capitalised on by a very relieved Lilley. 

Elsewhere in the morning session, Ken Doherty ended the challenge of Wayne Cooper, 3-1. 

A quarter of a century on from his glory in the professional championship here, Doherty recorded breaks of 70 and 73 to dispatch his opponent and stay on course for a unique quadruple having also claimed the world junior and amateur accolades early in his prestigious career. 

The afternoon began with Lee Walker producing arguably the performance of the event so far as he eliminated Stephen Hendry, 3-0. 

The Welshman hit the ground running, crafting a magnificent 121 clearance in the opening frame – the first century of this year’s championship. Further breaks of 63 and 49 helped Walker stifle Hendry and move into the last eight for the first time. 

Michael Holt will also feature in the quarter-finals but the tournament favourite didn’t have it all his own way as he defeated 2011 winner Darren Morgan. 

Holt comfortably won the first frame with an effort of 63, but the experienced former world number eight struck back with a 51 to level up before appearing to look good for a lead in frame three. 

However, whilst on a break of 63, Morgan missed a pot down a side cushion and Holt punished, pinching the frame on the final black with a clearance of 34. With momentum now on his side, former Shoot Out winner Holt – competing in his first world seniors event – wrapped the match up without reply in the fourth. He will face Lilley next in a tasty clash. 

Crowd favourite and three-time champion White got his campaign off to a pleasing start as he eliminated African seniors champion Wael Talaat from Egypt, 3-0. 

White, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, made a clutch break of 38 to secure the opener before finding his scoring groove with contributions of 67 and 79. Since the championship moved here in 2019, the Londoner has lost just once in 13 matches – last year’s final to Lilley. 

The day was rounded off with a routine 3-0 success for 2012 winner Bond over John Parrott. Bond top scored with 57 in the second frame. 

Following his appearance, 1991 World Professional Champion Parrott announced his competitive retirement from the seniors circuit. 

Parrott was given a standing ovation by the crowd in the Crucible Theatre as he paraded the world trophy he first lifted there over three decades ago. 

Action resumes on Saturday morning with the final two last 16 fixtures before the quarter-finals are played and completed across the afternoon and evening sessions.

Coverage is live on BBC digital platforms for those in the UK and Matchroom.Live for everyone else.

The post Quarter-Finals Line-Up Taking Shape in World Seniors Championship appeared first on WSS | World Seniors Snooker.

• View the draw
• How to watch

After the previous two editions of the championship were held behind closed doors, fans were welcomed back for the most prestigious outing on the World Seniors Snooker Tour. 

Former world professional championship quarter-finalist Walker defeated two-time ranking event winner Tony Knowles 3-0 in the first match of the evening. 

Walker claimed the opening frame on the pink, before runs of 66 in both frames two and three saw him set up a date with Stephen Hendry on Friday afternoon.  

Williams also recorded his first victory at the venue stages of this championship as he eliminated Canada’s Bob Chaperon, 3-1. 

The Welshman established a 2-0 lead, although the 1990 British Open champion kept his hopes alive when taking the third frame on the final black. 

However, Williams – aided by an effort of 40 – eventually got across the line to book a meeting with defending champion David Lilley, the man who knocked him out of last year’s edition and at the UK Seniors Championship in January. 

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• Results and information can be viewed on WPBSA SnookerScores

Held at the Crucible Sports and Social Club in Reading, these were the last opportunities for hopefuls to book a ticket for the Bonus Arena in Hull – venue for the Championship between the 12th-15th August.

Former ranking event finalist and PTC event winner Lawler will make his main arena debut on the world seniors tour.

On his way to qualification, the experienced Liverpudlian made a 99 break in the deciding frame of his last 16 3-2 win over Richard Jones. On the final day he eliminated Johnathan Bagley 4-1 and repeated that result over Lines to make it through.

Cooper was a qualifier for the world seniors championship at the Crucible Theatre in 2020 and the Yorkshireman will be back at a big venue – this time in front of a live crowd – after he saw off consistent performer at this level, Darren Morgan, 4-1 in the final round.

Prior to that, Cooper dropped only one frame during his opening trio of wins before a 4-0 triumph over current professional Gerard Greene in the last eight.

Walker and Lines – who are both still on the main tour – booked berths via the second event held at the venue later in the week.

Welshman Walker relinquished only one frame in five matches, culminating in a 4-0 success against Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo. In the previous round, Walker finished off with a break of 107 as he dispatched the in-form Tony Knowles 4-0.

The final cueist to progress was former world seniors champion Lines, who got over the disappointment of just falling short in event one a few days before.

Following a hat-trick of 3-0 wins in the early rounds, Lines was taken to the limit twice on the last day, ousting Leo Fernandez and then number one seed Patrick Wallace both by 4-3 score lines.

Super Seniors Success for Morgan and Filtness

Elsewhere in Reading, there were two further Super Seniors events with prize money and all-important ranking points on offer.

Morgan claimed the honours in the opener on Thursday, compiling a break of 122 in the deciding frame of his 2-1 final win over Chris Cookson.

Gary Filtness secured another win on this particular circuit on Sunday after defeating John Hunter 2-0 in the final.

The post Quartet Qualify for UK Seniors Championship appeared first on WSS | World Seniors Snooker.

• Tournament Draw
• Tournament Schedule
• How to Watch

The tournament began with a quality all-Welsh affair between Lee Walker and the 2011 champion Morgan; two players who qualified from the Seniors Q-School in Reading last month.

A former world professional championship semi-finalist in 1994, Morgan got off to a perfect start, constructing a break of 112 to claim the first frame.

The 55-year-old from Newport then doubled his advantage and looked set for a 3-0 win when he was well placed in the balls in frame three. However, he unexpectedly missed a straightforward pink on a break of 22 which proved to be a turning point as current main tour professional Walker pounced to get on the board, before a run of 68 helped him take the tie to a deciding frame.

With momentum firmly on the side of his opponent, Morgan regrouped well in the fifth frame, compiling efforts of 52 and a 64 clearance to progress 3-2 and possibly set up a quarter-final meeting with reigning champion Jimmy White.

Speaking to Rob Walker after the match Morgan said “I’m really pleased with the way I cued. I have been practicing; the last three weeks I’ve been going into my club for an hour every morning. In practice I’ve been playing great.”

Lilley Lands Quarter-Final Berth

Whilst the previous players had both graced the iconic Sheffield venue earlier in their careers, England’s Lilley and Wales’ Philip Williams were making their competitive debuts there.

It appeared as if Williams was going to claim the opening frame before missing frame ball brown. Lilley later laid a telling snooker that yielded rewards as he crafted a fine 22 clearance to take it, yet former professional Williams bounced back from this disappointment, making a classy clearance of 88 to level up.

Three-time English Amateur Championship winner Lilley would retake control, though, as breaks of 32 and 40 allowed him to secure frame three, and his place in the last eight was stamped when he chalked up the fourth to record a 3-1 victory.

The man from Washington will face either Ken Doherty or Joe Johnson on Saturday.

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