An old method for a new idea.

Newsletters have been a tried and tested method of communication for many years. For that reason, it has been decided to produce one for the Victorian Referees.

The proposal is that it should be a quarterly publication. A copy is attached and is being sent to all VBSA members.

If you would like to receive future copies direct to your email address, please pass on your details to refereesdirector@vbsa.org.au and your name will then be added to the distribution list for.

Larry Eforgan, Victorian Director of Referees

Victoria has 2 Snooker Professionals on the World Snooker Tour - Neil Robertson and Ryan Thomerson. This video of their School visit has them playing on the same Junior Snooker Tables that the VBSA has installed at McKinnon Secondary College.  Click on this LINK. 

The Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Billiards & Snooker Association Inc. was held on Friday, December 2nd, 2022.

The Minutes, Reports and FYE22 Financial Audit are attached.

Neil Robertson and Thailand's Mink Nutcharut beat Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna 4-2 in the final of the new BetVictor World Mixed Doubles at the end of a tournament which showcased women’s snooker to a vast audience.

Read the full story, and see Nutcharut's fantstic 74 clearance, at https://wst.tv/robertson-and-nutcharut-win-landmark-doubles-title/

Congratulation to Julie Watson on winning the 2022 Ruby Roberts Victorian Womens Billiards Championship at Cheltenham on Saturday in a thrilling last ditch win over Anna Lynch. 

That's the State Snooker & Billiards titles to Julie. 

Fantastic effort.

In consideration of our members, the VBSA is instigating, with immediate effect, changes to the Pennant Dress Regulation; ByLaw No.2.

The changes relax the rules regarding permissible trousers and shoes and clarify clothing rules for females. 

Please note the relaxed rules DO NOT apply to the Finals Dress Regulations.

Click this LINK to view updated ByLaws.

This tournament was held on Saturday at the North Brighton Club.

A final total of 6 entrants played round robin in two grouops with the winners of each then contesting the semi finals against the opposite group runners up.

Pre tournament favourites Kathy Howden and Caroline Ruscitti ended up in one semi whilst Julie (Watson) McEwan played off against Shelly Ames in the other. Kathy proved just too good for Caroline, overcoming her opponent but only in the final frame. Julie had a slightly easier run to the main event in her semi final despite a very good showing from Shelly. 

The end of a long day saw some exceptional snooker in the final with Kathy knocking in an excellent break of 51 early in the match. Julie held her nerve over this onslaught and was able to hold herself together to see out the match and claim the 2022 Championship by three frames to one.

The VBSA would like to thank the North Brighton Club and its members for giving up their venue for the day and for providing such excellent facilities. Thanks also to Jon Moss for coming in to referee a semi final after a morning stint at Brunswick helping out with the junior events and with very pressing commitments at home.

A tiring but rewarding and enjoyable day.

All VBSA Members should be aware that we are hosting the 2022 Lance Pannell Snooker (followed by the 2 Billiards Events & the State Snooker), commencing on Saturday 11/6. Entries for the first 2 Events close this Friday 3/6.

Your Board, and the Assistants, have applied themselves assiduously, to be able to host this First Ranking Tournament in Victoria for more than 2 years. It may seem intimidating to return to Tournament play after such a hiatus, however, the Lance Pannell Snooker provides the best possible format for this occasion.

Players who are Ranked in the top 64 on the Australian Rankings have an Entry Fee of $125, however, for the rest of us - Adult $60 - Women, Juniors and Pensioners (only) $35. This is the greatest “value for money” you could ever have in a Ranking Snooker Tournament.

With a full Field of 96 Entrants, every player is allocated into a Group of 6 players. You are then able to play 5 (Best of 3) Matches in your Round-Robin Group on Saturday 11/6. The 16 Groups are allocated to 5 different Venues on the Saturday, and the top 2 Group Qualifiers will play in a knockout format on the Sunday, and beyond.

Accordingly, every VBSA Member should utilize the opportunity, this week, to Enter the 2022 Lance Pannell Snooker. If you are a Member of a Snooker Team this week, ensure that every Member of your Team, who is able to attend on Saturday 11/6, has recognized this opportunity, and determined their Entry possibility.

Saturday (11/6) will provide a wealth of enjoyment for everyone. Thank you.

Regards

Paul Cosgriff, President
 

Neil Robertson landed his second Cazoo Masters crown, ten years after his first, with a 10-4 defeat of Barry Hawkins in the final at Alexandra Palace.

This is 2010 World Champion Robertson’s sixth Triple Crown title, moving him ahead of Alex Higgins into eighth position on the all-time list. Only Ray Reardon, Mark Williams, Selby, John Higgins, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan have won more.

Robertson had an impressive path to lifting the Paul Hunter Trophy and securing the £250,000 top prize. After a 6-3 defeat of Anthony McGill in the opening round, he scored a 6-4 win over O'Sullivan. He then secured a thrilling 6-5 defeat of Williams in the semi-finals, where he came back from requiring two snookers in the decider.

This afternoon saw 21-time ranking event winner Robertson take control of proceedings, establishing a 5-3 cushion heading into the final session.
World number four Robertson kept pressing forward when the concluding session got underway and moved three ahead at 6-3, with the help of a 50 break.  The Hawk clawed his way back within two when he composed a break of 69 to make it 6-4. However, that would prove to be his final frame of the evening.  Robertson surged for the finish line and crafted breaks of 68 and 114 on his way to four frames on the bounce, which secured him the 10-4 win and his second taste of Masters glory.

Picture shows Neil with his wife Mille, daughter Penelope & son Alexander.

Ryan Thomerson has recently earned himself a 2 year World Snooker professional tour card after his success at the 2022 Asia Pacific Open Snooker Championship.

Though the entry fees are covered by World Snooker, there are considerable costs to get practice on the Star tables that he will need to get used too.

Any donations would be gratefully received & will go towards Ryan playing at the Sheffield Snooker Academy & JP's Snooker Centre in Harlow.

You can donate on Ryan's GoFundMe page by clicking on this LINK.

Please don't hesitate to contact Paul Thomerson on  pthomerson@hotmail.com with any questions.