David Webb (15), of Glenorchy, is taking the world of snooker by storm in Southern Tasmania and seems set for a great future in the sport. Having already won the Southern Under 18 and State Under 18 snooker titles, he added another to his list of credentials when he took out the Southern Tasmanian C Grade. Not bad for a young man who only took up snooker this year!

With 30 starters, this competition was by far the biggest the Association had attempted this year. Competitors, both male and female, ranged in age from 15 to over 60 years of age.

David eliminated the 1999 champion and number two seed, David Hamori, on his way to the final. Marcus Jackson (16) put paid to any chances Shane Revell, the defending champion and number one seed, may have had of making it back to back titles, eliminating him in the quarter final. He then backed this up with a come-from-behind effort to oust the number three seed, Damien Smith, to advance to the final. David got off to a great start, a magnificent break of 37 giving him the first frame, 69-22. When he won the second it appeared that he might be holding too many aces for Marcus. Marcus showed true fighting qualities by coming back to level the match at two each. Another break (27) in the fifth, which he won, 75-44, set up the match for David. Marcus had no answer to the all round ability of David and lost the sixth frame (27-64) and the match, going down 2-4.

Claremont section results:
Round 1 (best of 3): Kirk Easton d Ken Pursell 2-0. Marcus Jackson d George Smith 2-0 (forfeit). Peter Randall d Christine Nichols 2-0. David Costello d Stuart Bester. Mei Lin Win d Michael Young 2-1. Kees Hendericks d Jody Nichols 2-0. Damien Smith d Sam McCartney 2-1. Shane Revell bye.

Round 2 (best of 3): Shane Revell d Kirk Easton 2-0. Marcus Jackson d Peter Randall 2-1. David Costello d Mei Lin Win 2-0. Damien Smith d Kees Hendericks.

Quarter Finals (best of 3): Marcus Jackson d Shane Revell. Damien Smith d David Costello.

Semi Final (best of five): Marcus Jackson d Damien Smith 3-2 (22-70, 22-59, 60-54, 56-36, 76-38).

Lindisfarne section results:
Round 1: Glen Heilmann d Robbie Parsons. Lisa Lush d Carryn Royle. David Webb d Chris Marlor. Peter Clarke d Ray Paydon. Graeme Webb d Bill Lowe. Kurt Rogers d Dwayne Browning. Jo Wheelton d Rod Jenkins (forfeit). David Hamori bye.

Round 2: Glen Heilmann d Lisa Lush. David Webb d Peter Clarke. Kurt Rogers d Graeme Webb. David Hamori d Jo Wheelton.

Quarter Finals: David Webb d Glen Heilmann. David Hamori d Kurt Rogers.

Semi Final: David Webb d David Hamori 3-2 (67-33, 35-64, 50-51, 55-33, 47-26).

Final (at Lindisfarne, Thursday, August 23): David Webb d Marcus Jackson 4-2 (69-22, 63-30, 44-56, 44-61, 75-44, 64-27).

Highest breaks (David Webb): 37 (frame one), 27 (frame five), 22 (frame six).

I would take this opportunity, on behalf of the Association, to thank the following for their contributions in making the C Grade Championships a success:

Carryn Royle, for looking after the players at Lindisfarne; the Committees and Staff of Lindisfarne RSLA and Citizens' Club and Claremont RSL; Tommy Watson, Les Higgins and Robert Higgins for their involvement in the final; Chris Marlor for his excellent work on the scoreboard; Dennis Bassett, who made himself available during a very long night. For their conduct during the preliminary rounds and the final in particular, a special mention to David Webb and Marcus Jackson, who did themselves, the Association and their families, proud.

Dallas Nichols, representing Hobart Workers Club, has convincingly won the Southern B Grade Snooker title. Showing all the talent that has made him such a force in the B Grade competition, Dallas showed no mercy throughout his matches and easily advanced to the final. Steve Cowie, last year's runner-up, better known for his prowess at billiards, was no match for Dallas, winning only one frame in the best of nine final.

Those taking part in the championships were: Dallas Nichols, Aidan McElduff, Nick Burdon, Danny Coles, Gavin Stokes, Martin Cook, Mark Talbot, Max Lang, Graeme Beechey, Barry Cranefield, Rod Maddox and Steve Cowie.

Martin Cook started in great form against Dallas Nichols in one semi final, winning by a solitary point, 69-68, but could not sustain the pressure. He lost the next two frames by narrow margins, 52-58 and 43-51, and could not then get back into the match. Dallas Nichols d Martin Cook 4-1 (68-69, 58-52, 51-43, 67-40, 57-29). Steve Cowie seemed to having trouble finding his rhythm, with many shots just missing. This allowed Dallas to take advantage of the situation and he made many breaks that proved to be frame winners. Frame four was probably Steve's best, not because he won it, but he got what he played for and made the most of his opportunities.

B GRADE FINAL:
The best-of-nine frame final was over in six frames, Dallas winning 5-1.
Dallas Nichols d Steve Cowie 5-1 (70-42, 66-37, 47-25, 46-53, 58-22, 64-27).

I would draw your attention to the Code of Ethics as outlined in the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council handbook (1996), under which this Association and all Affiliates to the Council, operates.

Page 11:

"Under the terms and conditions of this Code of Ethics it shall be the responsibility of all who compete in events conducted under the auspices of the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council and its Affiliates to comply with this Code of Ethics and at all times act in the spirit of good sportsmanship and do nothing to bring discredit to the games of Billiards and Snooker.

"This requirement applies to all levels of play in Local, Club, District, State, National and International events. Failure to comply with the requirements could be considered a breach of this Code of Ethics and may result in a fine, suspension, or a combination of both."

BEFORE THE MATCH

Competitors shall:

b) Arrive in suitable time to ensure they are ready at the table to commence play at the appointed time for the start of the match.

f) Meet acceptable dress standards, which includes conditions laid down by the Tournament Organisers and UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED precludes jeans, shorts, T-shirts, thongs, jogging shoes and runners.

By registering with the Association you are giving an undertaking to abide by the Rules of the Association and the Australian Council. It is with some dismay that the Association finds the dress code has deteriorated to such an extent that this reminder is necessary. Your Association has worked hard and long to build up a rapport with the venues in which we play, each of which has a dress code and standard. Acceptable dress standards for this Association, which runs COMPETITIONS on Mondays and Tuesday nights as well as the various Shield events and championships throughout the year, is identical with the above.

GENTLEMEN (for that is what they are deemed to be) are required to wear plain coloured shirts (NO ADVERTISE­MENTS), trousers and acceptable footwear. LADIES are to dress in similar fashion. Wearing of vests is optional.

WE (the Association) and you (the players) are guests of the various venues and it is in your own interests to adhere to the dress standards. You are representing the Association and your various teams/clubs and should be proud of the fact.

If the clubs and teams cannot be self-regulatory and the Association becomes involved, the following could occur:

1) For a first offence, forfeiture of any points gained by the offender or in the case of an offending player who loses a match, forfeiture of points equal to those being played for.

2) For any subsequent offence, forfeiture of points by the TEAM.

A player correctly dressed in entitled to lodge a protest against a player incorrectly dressed (including and particularly championships) and has immediate grounds for claiming a forfeit.

In your own interests please make yourselves conversant with the Code of Ethics in its entirety, as outlined in the handbook.

Please note: Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Board or the Association.