Previously, I had set up a separate blog for the Seniors snooker, but it never developed as I hoped it would. Partly because the events are short with significant gaps between them, and partly, maybe even mainly, by lack of interest in these events and that’s a shame really. Older players, who have spent all their professional life on the pro tour deserve a platform where they can still play the game competitively, without having to cope the huge stress of the pro tour cut-throat competitiveness. Make no mistake, they ARE still competitive, they still want to win and they still can play! Jason Francis WSS tour offers them that platform.
The first of those events took place a couple of weeks ago.
Last year’s World Seniors Snooker Championship semi-finalist made the perfect start to the campaign as he came through a record field of 68 players to take an early lead in the race to the Crucible Theatre.
Steadman, who earned a return to the professional ranks at the end of last season via the WPBSA Q Tour Play-Offs, was one of three current World Snooker Tour (WST) players in the star-studded line-up – alongside former ranking event winner Ryan Day and 2021 World Seniors champion David Lilley.
He made the perfect start by whitewashing Roshan Bappoo in the last 64 with a top break of 112 – a contribution only eclipsed over the weekend by Lilley (132) and James Brown (133).
A 4-1 defeat of last years four-time event winner Gerard Greene followed before Steadman overcame Karl Ashmore (4-1) and Stuart Watson (4-0) to set up a semi-final contest with Lilley.
Breaks of 61 and 51 put Steadman 2-0 ahead and he never looked back as a visit of 78 in the sixth frame completed a 4-2 win and earned him a place in the final.
Galbally, aged 42, was awaiting him in the title match after he had beaten last season’s qualifier Daniel Ward in the last four, after Ward had previously stunned former top 16 player Day in the previous round.
The day ultimately belonged to Steadman though, as he offered up an assured performance that featured breaks of 77 and 83 to earn a 4-0 victory and the first title of the campaign.
As it is now, that WSS tour is far from perfect. For a start, in recent times, nearly all events were played in the UK. It wasn’t always that way. Before covid they had events in mainland Europe, notably in Belgium and Germany. I hope that someday they will be “resurrected”.
One thought on “Seniors Snooker News – Craig Steadman has won the first World Seniors Tour Event of the Season”
Well, it depends. People might enjoy watching the players who once were their favourites, but there are many unknowns who are not too exciting and nobody will feel much is at stake with winning a senior tournament. And as you said, there were times when players told stories between shots, which is fine and dandy for an exhibition, but not particularly exciting if one is looking for a competitive snooker match. Also, the length of senior matches was ridiculous and there was a time when deciding frames were respotted blacks. Lately there was some improvement: I wasn’t happy to see Ronnie playing there, but at least there were proper matches lengthwise, so let’s see if it continues.
Well, it depends. People might enjoy watching the players who once were their favourites, but there are many unknowns who are not too exciting and nobody will feel much is at stake with winning a senior tournament. And as you said, there were times when players told stories between shots, which is fine and dandy for an exhibition, but not particularly exciting if one is looking for a competitive snooker match. Also, the length of senior matches was ridiculous and there was a time when deciding frames were respotted blacks. Lately there was some improvement: I wasn’t happy to see Ronnie playing there, but at least there were proper matches lengthwise, so let’s see if it continues.