- 13 September 2005
I flew to my NYC for a tournament I was really looking forward to. The World Summit of Pool was my first UPA event with a extreemly strong world class field. Previously it was held in Grand Central station but this year it was held in Slate Billiards club in Chelsea. Although I would have loved to have played in Grand Central slate turned out to be a great venue despite some initial fears.
In my first match I was drawn against Brandon Ashcraft, a very good young player. I went behind early on after missing some easy balls but I got my soft break working to edge in front. I missed a 9 ball down the rail for a 11-8 win and this almost cost me the match. In the final frame Brandon get me in a good hook and I played one of my best shots of the tournament to not only hit the ball but bank it two rails into the corner.
Next up was fellow Brit Richard Broumpton. This match was a little scrappy but I played some excellent frames and decent safety's to win 11-5.
This earnt me a tough match up with in form Ralph Souquet. Even though I wasn't playing my best pool I enjoy playing the best players and I was convinced I could win. I escaped from a tough hook to make a ball and run out a very hard layout to win the first set after winning the lag. Sadly I missed a few easy balls after this to fall behind 7-4. I dug in though and pulled the match back to 8-8 with the break. Unfortunetely couple of dry breaks handed the advantage back to Ralph and I was 10-9 down. A dry break by ralph gave me the chance to steal the match but unfortunately I finished straight on a long 7 ball down the rail with the 8 ball on the opposite rail just past the centre pocket. I decided to play position on the bank and go for the match. Sadly for me the 8 ball hit both knuckles after I banked it and then went across the table hanging on the lip of the opposite side pocket! :( Ralph ran the two balls to edge the win and set up a match with Corey Duel in the last 8 of the winners side.
Next I played new World Pool Masters Champion Raj Hundal. Despite winning the lag and leading for most of the match I missed 4 crucial balls to hand the match to Raj. Despite playing well overall, this match and the one with Ralph where matchs I really let slip away. But still enocuraging results given the severe lack of practice I had before this tournament.
RESULTS
- 11-10 v Brandon Ashcraft
- 11-5 v Richard Broumpton
- 9-11 v Ralph Souquet
- 9-11 v Raj Hundal
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