P.I.O.S Event number 1.
If you was not already aware the P.I.O.S (Pontins international open series) is ran over 8 events pitting the best amateurs and former pros against each other for a place on the main snooker tour, the top 8 will qualify.

It was important for me to get off to a good start if I was to better last seasons finish of 28th in my first year.

I hit the event in good form and won my first match 4 nil beating James Lawless, my next opponent was one of the event favorites Jeff Cundy and again I won 4 nil. Into thew last 32 and a mtch up against Robert Valiant finished 4 - 1 in my favour. Getting into the last 16 would have been a fantastic start giving me valuable ranking points, but I actchually made it to the semis winning matchs against Stephen Welsbey 4 - 1 and Michael Rhodes 5 - 1.

The run ended there as I lost out 5 - 1 to Andrew Atkinson leaving me in third place after 1 event. Click here to view the P.I.O.S table.

Pro Am at Breaks/Rileys snooker club Erdington.
Following the success of last years Pro am at my local club, it arrived again with some great players amateur and professional including the legend that is Tony Drago and top 16 player Joe Perry with an appearance from future hopefull Jamie Cope.

I had a bye for my first match then drew Peter Lines, a player who turned pro in 1991 and featured in the last 32 of the world championships and quater finalist in the 1999 China open, he has just made it back on the main snoker tour and is ranked about 86th in the world, so of course this would be tough.

You could see what a class player he is as he his ability around the table saw him pot with ease at times. With the match at 2 - 2 it was there for the taking for Peter or myself but I edged the next 2 frames after some good tight snooker from both of us to make it 4 - 2. One more frame and it would be a great victory for me, it came and I was happy with the win, its great to play such experienced players like Peter there is much to learn from them.

Unfortunatley I lost my next match but you can't win them all can you!