Rolling back the years, ex-professional Snooker player Robert Marshall won the Black Heart Snooker Classic Open at the inaugural National Snooker Expo.
After two days of intense group stage matches and high drama on the green-baize, players were either sent home packing while others fell to the way side and some due to fatigue. This was a test of not just skill but also stamina and endurance.
Our Champion overcame the stubborn challenge and gutsy performance of runner up Steven Thomas from North Wales to win 3-2. But the real drama came in Thomas’ best of 5 semi-final clash with Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Stuart Watson. With the score level at 2-2 Watson found himself in a tricky situation and trailing by 40 points. Although he could clearly hit a red Stuart attempted a very difficult safety shot.
Having missed his attempted shot twice World Snooker Referee, Ms Małgorzata Kanieska had no alternative but to remind Wilson of the Three Miss Rule (Failure to hit a ball "on" three times in a row, if the player has a clear sight of the ball. The referee will warn a player after a second such miss that a third miss will mean that the opponent will be awarded the frame. This rule does not apply if the player is snookered.) and warn him that if he failed to hit a red on his third attempt he would forfeit the frame and subsequently lose the match.
After long deliberation, Wilson attempted to play the more difficult two cushion safety shot again; rather than aim and hit the visible red. Stuart failed to hit a red by a millimetre and in turn lost the match and a place in the N.S.EXPO final.
On his way to winning the Black Heart Classic Open, Robert also secured the highest break prize of £100.00 by making a century break of 106 including the top first prize of £350.00.
On presentation of the Championship Bracelet with the inscription ‘NSEXPO-2018-CHAMP’ Marshall was informed that all future N.S.EXPO Championship Bracelets will thereafter be known as the ‘Robert Marshall Bracelet’ upon which Robert replied “WOW. Your kidding… Your joking right?”
But this was no joke and Robert Marshal has now cemented his place in history for which we hope will be for many generations to come.
However, Roberts journey towards glory was nearly lost to a delayed flight-path from Poland. Tournament Director Ms Kanieska was delayed on Friday evening by over three hours with uncertainty that she would be allowed to board her second flight of a gruelling journey that night from Amsterdam.
Founder, Jason Lawrence said “Gosia was due to arrive at Manchester Airport around 9.30pm, Friday night. With all logistical set-up I was unable to pick Gosia up personally as originally planned. Thankfully we had a great Taxi operator who met Ms Kanieska and drove her to her hotel room at around 12.30am. She is a dedicated professional and despite this unfortunate flight journey, she was ready for action that same morning and took charge of our first N.S.EXPO with ease and confidence. She is a great asset, that’s for sure.”
Throughout the two days vendor Cue & Case showcased their products to players, the general public and customers. “Being that this is our first ever National Snooker Expo, we had to expose and educate the players, and public to what this is all about. That said, Cue & Case came, they sold cues and that’s the name of the game.” Added Lawrence.
Mr. Lawrence also announced “We are now looking ahead to the National Snooker Expo 2019. There is a lot of hard work ahead for this project and that has already begun. I can proudly confirm that for the 2019
National Snooker Expo, Black Heart Premium Billiard Tips will again be the Principle Partner and we are very confident of naming others in the near future.
We’ve now got a very strong team of professionals who all performed to an outstanding level throughout the event and gave the players an exciting experience that many are not use too. On behalf of the National Snooker Expo I should like to thank Małgorzata Kanieska and Sarah McManus for carrying out their Directive and Refereeing duties to the highest level. They are now part of a team.”
“Today we have a clear indication of what works, what does not work and what we can improve. This (holding the expo) was important.” Jason added.
The National Snooker Expo 2018 was also raising money for charity and confirms raising £72.50 in support of Prostate Cancer UK.
Lengthy match play meant that time was extremely limited to successfully execute the planned 9Ball Amateur Open. We had to alter our original plans from a three day event down to a two day event. Players who registered were instead fully refunded and treated to engage with newly launched cue shaft products as well as competing in a few arranged, race to 9 matches. Everyone was happy!
Final Standings
Champion: Robert Marshall
Runner-Up: Steven Thomas
3rd Place: E. Lott and Stuart Watson
4th Place: Danny Connelly, David Holcroft, Paul Taylor, Lewis Walsh.
Finally the National Snooker Expo 2018 should like to thank Hazel Grove Snooker Club for hosting our event and running all operations smoothly and efficiently. Thank you Dino and Pam who were excellent throughout
the weekend and their staff who are second to none!
We should also like to thank the Principal Partner of this project, Black Heart Premium Billiard Tips along with all our official sponsors:
BLACK HEART PREMIUM BILLIARD TIPS – Official Snooker & Pool Tip
HAZEL GROVE SNOOKER CLUB – Official Host
McDERMOTT HANDCRAFTED CUE, USA – Official Cue
TWEETEN FIBRE CO., INC. – Official Tournament Chalk
SHOOTERSPOOL.NET – Official Online Gaming Host
POOLDAWG.COM – Official Online Retailer
COACH’S EYE – Keynote Sponsor
International Media affiliates:
AZBILLIARDS.COM
G.B.E. CHINA
All in support of Prostate Cancer UK. Thank you for all contributed donations.
The National Snooker Expo will return in 2019.http://nationalsnookerexpo.com
The UK’s induction of the National Snooker Expo 2018 to date is growing swiftly with further sponsorship announcements and a new online Snooker tournament targeted towards an alternative generation of Cue-Sport Players.
ShootersPool.net: Billiards Simulation – Official eGame Sponsor
National Snooker Expo Director Jason Lawrence explained “We are delighted to bring on board a smart gaming software company for our event, who’s dedicated simulation applications engages cue sport enthusiasts throughout the world. It is very important for us to keep up to date with 21st Century technological developments of commercial platforms. Working with ShootersPool will allow us to gain access to younger participants of games who may otherwise not know of Snookers existence (or its history) and the intricate skills required to master this 18th Century game. So today we announce the NSEXPO ONLINE MASTERS.
NSEXPO ONLINE MASTERS 2018
“We are super excited as ShootersPool have agreed to host our very own Online e.Gamers Tournament which will be called the "NSEXPO Online Masters" and will run throughout the entire month of May with the final taking place on the 26th May, the first day of our materialised Expo. To my knowledge this is a UK first (if not Europe or even the world) an online tournament which will run and be played alongside the real analogue physical game!
For E.Gamers enjoyment, the tournament will take place in our very own virtual space known as the NSEXPO INTERNATIONAL ARENA. One of our progressive aims is to bring innovation and originality to everything we do. It’s inevitable that soon every sport associations will embrace online gaming one way or another.” said a contented Jason.
So if you think you’ve got what it takes to become the Master of e.gaming Snooker, then join and enter today. For further details please visit: http://www.shooterspool.net/language/en/
Through its advanced physics engine, ShooterPool.net is capable of simulating in a totally real way the physical behaviour of any cue-sport play, and its graphic and sound effects allows the user to feel that they are really playing a billiards game. In addition, through its online gaming platform you will be able to play and compete with players from all over the world. ShootersPool has been created by a billiards player for billiards players and it intends to become a leading model for billiards games and simulators.
The National Snooker Expo also stated that all their Vendor stalls for this years National Snooker Expo are now all allocated.
Enquiries for our 2019 National Snooker Expo can be made by emailing: admin@nationalsnookerexpo.com
The National Snooker Expo 2018 supports Prostate Cancer UK. To make a donation please visit:
Founder and Jamaica’s No.1 Pool Player Jason Lawrence, 46 from Bolton, is organising the National Snooker Expo 2018 to help raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. The new project aims to bring both cue-sport players and the billiard industry together under one roof, offering tournaments and trading platforms.
Professional Pool Player Jason is hoping to raise a substantial amount by inviting snooker players, ranging from juniors and female cue sport enthusiasts, through to seasoned professionals, to test their skills against their peers. The event will take place at Hazel Grove Snooker Club, Stockport on 26-27th May 2018, to help save men’s lives.
Mr. Lawrence was inspired to organise the event for Prostate Cancer UK after watching a short documentary on Sky Sports’ popular TV programme, Soccer Saturday.
“I decided to organise this event for Prostate Cancer UK because I was receiving so much positive feedback from both snooker players and the cue-sport industry. Through this event, I hope to educate more men about prostate cancer and encourage them to be less afraid of it and talk more about it.
“I am really looking forward to the event and I’m delighted to be raising awareness and much needed money to help beat prostate cancer.”
James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see that Jason has organised the National Snooker Expo to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. It is an incredible effort, one that will help us make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation of men do not fear.
“Currently one man every 45 minutes dies from prostate cancer in the UK. That’s more than 11,000 men a year and by 2030, prostate cancer is set to become the most commonly diagnosed cancer of all in the UK. So whatever you do together, big or small, you’ll be helping us push for real change, from more effective testing to better treatments.”
To help the National Snooker Expo continue to raise money visit:
An agreement with National Snooker Expo Limited and Hazel Grove Snooker Club Stockport, UK was reached today as part of the official launch of its inaugural National Snooker Expo event set to take place 26-27 May 2018. The launch was attended by the Director of the National Snooker Expo Jason Lawrence and principal club owner Mr. Dino Georgiou.
“The National Snooker Expo is a new project aimed to bring both cue-sport players and the billiard industry together under one roof offering tournaments and trading platforms to run side by side. Playing host to this inclusive experience is Stockport’s Hazel Grove Snooker Club, located in the North West of England. Utilising this top-class facility which features no less than 28 full size Snooker tables in spacious surroundings, a
pro-match arena, American Pool tables and UK 8-Ball Pool tables we are able to place the passion of the club’s fans at the heart of this event. The club has been operating for nearly 35 years and during this time has hosted many tournaments and exhibitions featuring top professional snooker champions and players over the years such as Ken Doherty, Bill Werbeniuk amongst others.” Explained Mr. Georgiou.
With initially three tournaments for players to enter, the National Snooker Expo 2018 will create innovative promotions and industrial initiatives to entice cue-sport fans closer to the action. From juniors and female cue sport enthusiasts through to seasoned professional, all are welcomed and encouraged to test their skills against their peers and best from around the world. Industry company’s and traders can sign up for the event online, but will need to be quick with only limited space numbers available.
Commenting on this announcement, Jason Lawrence, Director at the National Snooker Expo, said: “I have been working on this project for the last six months and have encountered nothing but positive feedback from all regions of the cue-sports industry. With excitement and a show of our ambitious intent we proudly announce and welcome Black Heart Premium Billiard Tips as an official principle partner of the National Snooker Expo 2018.
Black Heart Premium Billiard Tips
Celebrating its 8th year of inception, Black Heart is the main principle partner of the National Snooker Expo 2018 and is pivotal in the status and growth of this project. A world leader in the manufacturing of leather billiard tips, BHT has recently launched the #1 (MARK-ONE) and the OxBridge billiards tip both sized at 9mm-11mm designed for the games Snooker and Black Ball. The original outlined objective of Black Heart is to focus on ‘The Billiard Player’, his / her equipment, anatomy and the physical attributes that make the player become better. As a principle Partner, the main event will be called The Black Heart Snooker Classic Open.
The National Snooker Expo will announce further official sponsors and news, including tournaments information and activities that will be taking place throughout the events weekend. The National Snooker Expo
will continue to pursue other channels in order to create further platforms as we seek additional company’s to work with us. This is a long-term project and this is just the beginning."
Existing Platform opportunities includes Principe Partner(s), Official Sponsor(s), Media Partners and Official Affiliates. All enquires should be forwarded to:
