Paul Balzer 2013 NSW Snooker Champion

A strong field of over 40 contested this year’s NSW Snooker Championships held at Blacktown workers Club. This is the first year of a 3 year $6000 partnership with the BSANSW and Blacktown workers. Blacktown workers once again provided a fantastic venue and local support with the snooker room filled each day with spectators who witnessed some fantastic snooker which was evident by this year’s break board with 3 centuries and other large breaks produced.

In the last 16 current Australian Open Champion Shawn Budd had a 4-2 win against Stuart Lawler. Stuart produced the tournaments highest break of 126 in this match. Number 5 seed Hassan Kerde also lost to the newly crowned NSW Minor Grade Champion Ali Gangi 4-1. Paul Balzer had a scare in his last 16 match as it came down to the final black ball with central coasts Craig Mills. After a number of attempts each it was Paul who held his nerve and potted the winning ball.

In the quarter finals Joe Minici was too strong for Steve Balzer who had impressed in his earlier matches winning 4-2. Glen Wilkinson had a tight tussle coming from 2 nil down to win his match 4 0 against Ali Gangi. This was Ali’s first quarter final appearance in a major title. Both Vinnie Calabrese and Paul Balzer made light work of Roger Farebrother and Shawn Budd respectively with 4 nil wins.

The semi final match ups saw 2013 NSW Masters Champion Joe Minici against 2013 Australian Master Champion Glen Wilkinson. This was a tight scrappy match with Glen prevailing 4-1 and moving into the final. The other Semi final match had Paul Balzer up against the Newly crowned 2013 Oceania Champion Vinnie Calabrese. This was the match of the tournament going down to the last frame with Paul showing his experience and clearing the colours for a fantastic win against Vinnie who will be joining the professional circuit for the next 2 year.

A large crowd gathered to witness the final between Glen and Paul and they were not disappointed. Glen knocked in a 51 break in the first frame to take a 1 nil lead but it was all one way traffic from there. Paul produced the second highest break of the tournament with a 115 and then an 86 break in the following. Glen never recovered from there with Paul winning the match 4-1.

Blacktown Workers President Kay Kelly was there to witness this final and assist with the presentation. BSANSW thanks Blacktown worker, their members and spectators for producing a wonderful event.

Grant Meadley
Tournament Director

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

BREAK BOARD
Stuart Lawler 126, 42, 51, 75, 59,
Paul Balzer 115, 62, 52, 49, 56, 86
Glen Wilkinson 101, 51, 53, 51, 80
Andy Nguyen 44
Steve Balzer 64, 53, 47, 57, 52
Ying Jin 43,58
Brett Watson 47, 46
Richard Peric 40,72,51,40
David Waller 44
Ali Gangi 65
Hassan Kerde 47, 46
Adam Fitzgerald 50,38,39,45
Shawn Budd 53
Roger Farebrother 44, 76, 48
Vinnie Calabrese 68, 73, 62, 49, 68, 80
Ashwin Kumar 72
Joe Minici 57, 81, 57