Mike Finn
Here is Tim Dunkley's report........
World
Open
MIKE Finn’s bid to reach
the second round of the World Open ended in a 3-0 defeat by world No 89 Kyren
Wilson.
The
match on the lightning-fast pro-standard tables at the World Snooker Academy,
Sheffield, lasted less than an hour.
Wilson
fired in breaks of 72 and 89.
Finn
said: “It was a fantastic place to play.
“Unfortunately,
the result was not what I wanted. But I got outplayed by the better player on
the day.
“The tables were the quickest I have ever played on and being from this area we will not produce anyone of note until we have top-class facilities.”
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HAMPSHIRE star Mike Finn
can write his name into local history books this weekend.
Backed
by Southampton estate agents The Home Agency, the 24-year-old from Eastleigh is
two matches away from playing world number six Stephen Maguire in front of a
global TV audience.
If
Finn can see off professionals Kyren Wilson and Stuart Pettman at the World
Snooker Academy in Sheffield, he will book a date with Maguire in the third
round of the World Open in Glasgow on September 18.
___________________________________________________________
MIKE Finn has posted the
highest break in the Southampton & District Social Clubs League since
records began in 1948.
The
Woolston Cons A star made a 138 total clearance against Wayne Muddiman in a
Premier league match at City Transport A.
“Pure
genius,” said Woolston captain Drew Farminer.
“He’s
a great player - when he wants to be.”
Three
days before his 23rd birthday, the former England international, dubbed The
Mighty Finn, beat local legend Rory Lord’s record 128 set three years ago.
After
missing a cannon on the cushion, he was forced to double the last red into the
middle - he got it, and landed on the black.
“As
I was down on the pink I said to everyone ‘cheers Rory’,” laughed Finn.
“If
I’d missed the pink I would’ve looked like a complete idiot. Rory’s a
friend of mine so it makes it a bit more sweet.”
Neal
Blake, Finn’s former captain at Sarisbury Social A, said: “He’s probably
the best player that’s ever played in the league.”
The
league’s games secretary Andy Brooke added: “It’s an outstanding
achievement. To do that on club-standard tables is phenomenal.”
The
next day, while playing for Churchills in an 8-2 home win against Eastleigh
Railway Institute, Finn knocked in the highest break of the Winchester City
& District Snooker League season.
He
wrapped up a 2-0 victory over Justin Mines with a 103.
“I’m
not practising much at the moment but the balls seem to be going in,” said
Finn, from Eastleigh.
“I come from the same place as all the juniors now. They all play at Chandler’s Ford; that’s where I started. It just shows the youngsters what they can do.”
earlier reports
MIKE FINN blasted aside the opposition to pocket £400 at the Midsummer Classic in Bournemouth.
The former England international earned next season’s Pro-Ticket Tour entry fees with a 4-2 final victory over Swindon’s Neil Craycraft at the Green Baize Snooker Club.
“It’s a chunk of money for knocking a few balls around,” said the 21-year-old from Eastleigh. “If only they had a tournament like that every week!”
‘The Mighty Finn’, who also picked up £420 at the Christmas tournament, took the first frame with a 70 and clinched victory with a 47 clearance.
In the last-16, Finn needed a 27 clearance to see off Paul Davis (Poole) 3-2 on the black. He beat Zach Robinson (Brighton) by the same score in the quarter-final and eased past Nick Jennings (Otterbourne) 3-0 in the semis.
“I didn’t play as well as I can, but I got the job done,” he said. “I should’ve lost a couple of games but they missed easy balls.”
Finn, who works full-time for restoration firm Rainbow International, has opted to tackle the EASB Pro-Ticket Tour, which is played at weekends, instead of the mid-week Pontin’s International Open Series in an attempt to become a professional.
The six-event series, which kicks off in October in Leeds, carries an automatic pro-ticket for the winner.
Finn is realistic about his chances of finishing top and but is aiming to qualify through a one-off knockout for the next 32 highest finishers.
“I’ll be disappointed if I don’t get in the top 32. In knockout snooker you can beat anyone and lose to anyone. I’m looking forward to it.
“It’ll be my own money. It’ll hurt a bit more if you lose in the first round paying for it yourself.
“I can beat anyone, I’ve proved that. I’m not scared of anyone. When I play well I hit the ball as well as anyone. I’m not intimidated by anything.”
Finn will be joined on the tour by Chandler’s Ford team-mate Mark McLean (North Baddesley).
Alex Dunkley (Bursledon) lost 3-2 on a re-spotted black to Jennings, 16, but knocked in a 50 to beat Ollie Tydeman (Chandler’s Ford) 2-0 in the Plate final and collect £20.
A run of 74 earned Jennings the £20 high-break prize.
Eleven-year-old Jordan Winbourne (Botley) took a 2-0 lead in the first round against Steve Williams (Bournemouth) – but lost 3-2.
Nine-year-old Shane Castle took a frame off century-breaker Peter Hendes (Poole) and lost 2-1 on a fluked pink to Scott McGaw (Calmore) in the Plate.