Richard Binns wins U40’s Comp
Richard Binns defeated Isa Ishtiaq 3-1 in a high-quality final of yesterday’s Yorkshire Under 40s competition.
Both players came through some tough matches to reach the final. Ishtiaq beat Luke Drennan 3(69)-1 in his first match before battling past Daniel Boyes 3-2. In the semi-final, he came from behind to beat James Dabell 3(50,50)-2 in another close encounter.
In the lower half of the draw, Binns had a comfortable 3(69,57)-0 win over Tom Cullen before finding himself 2-0 and 40 points behind against Huddersfield’s Oliver Read. Read, however, just couldn’t deliver the knockout blow, and a 58 break got Binns back in the match, which he eventually won 3-2. That win seemed to give him some confidence, and he followed it with a 3-0 victory over Harrogate’s Tom Harris.
In the final Binns took the first frame comfortably and looked like going 2-0 up before a simple missed black let Ishtiaq back in, eventually clearing the colours to level at 1-1. With both players now finding some form, every visit seemed to be a 30 or 40 break, but it in the end it was Binns who finished the stronger taking the last 2 frames and the match 3-1.
The 2 finalists shared the high break prize with runs of 69.
The consolation plate final couldn’t have been any closer, Reece Ezard beating Daniel McKenna 2-1 on a re-spotted Black in the decider.
Thanks as always to our hosts and sponsors the Northern Snooker Centre.
Paul Marlow
General Secretary & Tournament Director
