Dennoui's Great Escape

George Dennaoui has staged a remarkable performance to come back from a seemingly impossible position and win the 2011 NSW State ‘Minor’ Snooker Championship which was played at Club Toukley RSL over 30-31 July and attracted a field of 53 players.

Down 3-1 in the best of 7 frames Final against Port Macquarie’s Michael Cosh and with his back firmly against the wall, Dennaoui showed great determination to steady himself and mount a thrilling fightback.

Both players, clearly feeling the effects of fatigue after a long Championship, played a little below their usual standard but still produced a classic Final which will long be remembered by those fortunate to see it.

In scenes similar to Stuart Bingham’s tense come-from-behind effort in the recent World Snooker event Final at Bendigo, Dennaoui took the remaining 3 frames to clinch a 4-3 victory with frame scores of 19-57, 65-35, 31-55, 16-59, 66-13, 82-44, 50-28.

Whilst it wasn’t the Australian Snooker Goldfields Open, this victory clearly meant just as much to Dennaoui whose wide smile and clenched fist said it all as the winning pink ball was potted.

Cosh was one of the form players all weekend and recorded some impressive wins along the way to the Final. The Welshman established a handy 26 point lead in the 7th frame but just could not land the decisive blow to put his opponent away. Cosh has only previously played in a few North Coast tournaments and is certainly a player to watch out for in the future.

It was a popular victory by Dennaoui who has featured at the business end of this Championship on several occasions in the past. He is a class player and as a multiple winner on the now defunct Satellite Circuit there can be no denying his ability. Congratulations George on a thoroughly well deserved victory.

Many thanks to Club Toukley RSL for their sponsorship and hosting of this event. Special thanks also to the invaluable assistance of all referees who participated over the weekend.

BSA NSW action will return to Toukley on 26-27 November for the State ‘Minor’ Billiards Championship as part of a special package deal arrangement negotiated earlier in the year for the Snooker, Billiards and Women’s ‘Minors’ in 2011. The Committee is pleased to have a club such as Club Toukley RSL prepared to host and sponsor these Championships and look forward to similar solid support from the players for the ‘Minor’ Billiards.

Gary Knight
BSA NSW Secretary
& Tournament Director