Sotonsnooker

Southampton Social Clubs    

Snooker Individual KO  2007 / 2008 (The Mintrum Cup)

2008 Final (at Shirley Cons)

DANNY GALLANT admitted he had his snooker head on as he won a tense deciding frame to claim the title of Town Champion at Shirley & Millbrook Conservative Club.

Gone was the flamboyant style and gone was the reckless shot selection as the fully focused 25-year-old edged out defending champion Alex Dunkley 4-3 in the final of the Southampton & District Social Clubs League individual knockout.

“I had my head on,” said Gallant. “I said to myself I’m not going to change my game but I’ll make sure I think about everything before I do it.

“I still went for a few but slapping a red in and going into the pack, I’m not going to take that chance.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to win. My name’s on the trophy now. It doesn’t matter if I don’t win it again. I’m happy.”

Sarisbury Social’s Dunkley, 19, who beat Adam Nash in 2007 to become the youngest winner of the F Mintrum Cup, led 1-0 and 2-1.

But Gallant won the next two before Dunkley forced a decider.

“I potted a good pink to go 3-2 up which was an important frame,” Gallant said.

“At 3-3 I still felt I was in with a reasonable chance. I didn’t feel that the momentum had switched. Alex missed a couple I wasn’t expecting him to miss. I still thought I was going to get my chance in the last frame.”

In the seventh, a 35 break by Gallant ended with a thin cut red that left him with no colour and just one red short of victory.

But Dunkley, 59 behind with five reds left, staged a comeback.

Gallant said: “The worst bit was when I was 59 ahead and I knew I was nearly there. I missed a sitter red down by the green which should’ve finished it.

“Finishing off those last few balls, even when Alex needed a couple of snookers, I was a bit nervous then.

“If I’d lost it from there I’d have been devastated.

“If you’ve got 40 people watching you, you’re going to feel a little bit of pressure. As far as I was concerned I was going to win because I’ve always thought the same, any match I’ve played, otherwise what’s the point of starting.

“We went into town for a few drinks, not especially celebrating, just because I like going out!”

Quarter and Semi- Final results

It was standing room only as Danny Gallant eased past good friend Mitch Wade at St Denys Conservative Club to book a place in the Town Championship final.

The Eastleigh Railway Institute star will meet reigning champion Alex Dunkley at Shirley Conservative Club on March 20.

Appearing in the semi-finals of the Southampton & District Social Clubs League individual snooker knockout for the first time, Gallant beat former Challenge Tour player Wade 3-0 in little over an hour.

Wade, 25, who entered the competition for the first time this season, never got going against his Railway teammate.

Gallant said: “I just played solid. Mitch missed a couple of balls; I only really missed one bad ball.

“I felt settled straight away and when I won the first frame I was feeling pretty good, to be honest.

“I don’t know if there was even a 20 break. I just got my nose in front and tried to stay there.”

And Gallant revealed that he and his opponent are practically brothers-in-law.

“Mitch has been going out with my sister for about four years, so I see quite a lot of him.” he said “He’s always round the house. I’ve known him since I started playing snooker.”

Nick Jennings’ bid to become the youngest ever champion was ended by the current record holder Alex Dunkley. 

The 19-year-old beat Churchills’ Jennings, 16, 3-1.

Dunkley won the first frame on the black and after Jennings levelled with a 31, took the lead with a 48.

Jennings broke down in the fourth on 35 and Dunkley clinched victory with a 66.

In 2005 Dunkley (Sarisbury Social) lost 3-2 in the semis at the same venue to Greg Moore (Totton Rec).

Gallant said he is not worried about facing Dunkley in the final and has nothing to lose.

“I’m not really one for feeling the pressure,” he added.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever played him. And if I have I can’t remember it!

“I certainly haven’t played him recently because even in the league I always play Mike [Finn].

Ex-Saints star Ken Jones, who has coached all four players, said: “Two good games really. Nick had his chances. He was on 35 and missed, and that was the end of it.”

Watching the drama unfold in the front row was 1995 champion Dave Mumford and his protégé ten-year-old Shane Castle, a possible future Town Champion.

2006 / 2007 results

Semi-Final Results :-

Adam Nash  3  v     Mark McLean  0

Alex Dunkley   3  v  Neil Davies  1

Final Result :-

Alex Dunkley   4    Adam Nash   1

Alex Dunkley came from 1 - 0 down to completely dominate this years final, taking the final four frames in confident style. A 49 break in the third frame and the highlight of the evening being a 52 clearance at the end of the fourth frame.

Tim Dunkley writes:-

That one was for you, dad

 TOWN Champion Alex Dunkley dedicated his title to dad Tim, moments after this week’s historic victory over Adam Nash at the Castle Club.

The 18-year-old won the final 4-1 to become what is believed to be the youngest ever winner of the Southampton & District Social Clubs League’s Individual Knockout.

Alex, who is in his third season playing for Doug Scott’s Premier outfit Sarisbury Social, said: “That was for you, dad.”

In front of a crowd of 30, the pair fought out nearly three frames of scrappy cat-and-mouse play before Dunkley took a 2-1 lead with a 49 break from a fluked red.

The youngster took the fourth with a 52 and eased through the next to run out a 4-1 winner.

Reigning champion Nash (City Transport) beat Darren Pearce (Totton Rec) to lift the trophy in 2006.

This year he saw off Mark McLean (Churchills) in the semis at Bitterne RBL while Alex, who lives in Bursledon, beat ex-pro Neil Davies.

The league’s games secretary Andy Brooke believes that Alex is the youngest holder of the title which stretches back for more than 60 years.

            Adam Nash was champion in 2006.

He then beat Darren Pearce 4 - 3 in last years Final

 Final

© March 2007 by Antony Aldridge