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January 26, 2009 — The Professional Trophy

 

After last months record setting victory in the South of England Championships I was delighted to continue with my superb start to the new season by winning the Professional Trophy.The event took place in Leicester over the weekend and included the worlds top professional players. In the last 32 I was drawn against the current World Champion Gareth Potts and after a cagey start I found the gears and started to move through them at speed, coming out victorious by 8 frames to 4.

The following couple of rounds were slightly less dramatic winning comfortably 8-2 & 8-3 against Simon Doyle and Andy Macdonald respectively.This set up a semi final clash with good friend and 2007 World Master Champion Ian Kettel from Kent. Having played each other numerous times before the opening exchange was even and at 4-4 it was still anyone’s match. But I made a slight mistake which allowed Ian the upper hand and he took a commanding lead 6-4 in the race to 8 frames.

I have been practicing hard over recent weeks in preparation for the coming season and this certainly proved its merit as I took the next 4 frames with some top class finishes winning the match 8-6.In the other half of the draw Mick Hill lost in the quarter finals to Gareth Hibbott, who in turn was defeated by Russell Burgess.

In a best of 17 frames final, which was being streamed live around the world via the internet I started the stronger with a superb couple of opening frames to take a 2 nil lead. Russell took the next but then another surge I stretched out a 7-1 lead. Russell tried to stage a comeback by taking the next two frames but I was far to focused and could taste victory and finished of the match 9-3 with two solid finishes to lift the prestigious trophy.I am obviously delighted with my start to the season but I still feel that I am only performing at 75%, so if I can continue this form and build on it I think this could be a great season for me.

 

January 7, 2009 — South of England Region 7 Open

 

Morray Dolan notched up another mark in pool history by becoming the 1st player to successfully defend the South of England Open.

Hosted at Chichester Snooker / Pool club, Morray who has now won the title a record three times came through a field of 64 entrants which included the 2007 World Master Champion Ian Kettel, as well as a host of other top professionals and internationals.

Good friend and former England International Steve Ringsell who was the 2006 Champion of this prestigious title was also in attendance but after a comfortable first round win, Steve did not play to his high standards against professional and World Masters finalist 2008 Jordan Church, losing 6-2.

Morray was in the opposing half of the draw and was easing through the field much to his own surprise due to a lack of preparation leading up to the event, bought on by other pool commitments.

Defeating 3 Internationals on route including Northern Ireland team mate Jamie Kitchen, Morray was growing in confidence match by match. The final was best of 13 frames and was against England International Tom Kennedy.

Morray had to endure a barrage of superb play from young Tom and found himself flagging behind at 5-3. Digging deep and pulling on his vast experience Morray upped a gear and finished the match 7-5 with 4 back to back clearances from the break.

Morray said afterwards “I am delighted and astonished by my victory given my lack of preparation, But it really does mean a great deal to set yet another record.”

 

July 12, 2008 — World Masters

 

The World Masters is the 2nd biggest event on the calendar so my focus turned to winning this to make up for my world champs defeat. I was therefore gravely disappointed that I had to withdraw whilst leading in a match against Australian Steve Woods, due to illness.

World Masters - Plate

This event is for all the players that lost in the first two rounds of main event, and given my withdrawal I was allowed to enter. After a day’s full rest I was feeling more my old self and this was also showing on the table, by way of leaving a trail of destruction in the early round against some top quality players, including lasts years Masters Champion Ian Kettle.In the semi final I was once more drawn against Steve Woods from Australia, and this time I was not bowing. The result was never in doubt from frame 1, as I ran away with it 6-2

In the final I was up against another Australian player, Mark Robertson. It was an exciting match with both players making some superb shots, and clearances. The final score being 7-6 in favour of Mark.But again given how ill I’d been feeling for the whole weeks of competition I was actually delighted with the outcome in many ways.