Congratulations to both Nigel Bond and Stuart Bingham on their victories in the World Games and English Open finals today. Click below for more detail…
Nigel Bond 3-0 David Grace
66-15, 77-3, 94-8
The first match to take place was that between Nigel and former European Championship winner David Grace from Leeds in the final of the World Games, though it would not prove to be a particularly close final as Bond took a 3-0 victory. Having been taken to deciding frame finishes in each of his last two matches Nigel will not be complaining however and after a largely disappointing year or so, it is nice to see him enjoy some success and get his hands on a trophy again.
It is a shame for David that he could not win himself but hopefully he will feel good going into the new season and will be able to take some confidence into the second event of the PIOS season where he is scheduled to come up against Stephen Welsby next week. Coming so close after this tournament however, it will surely take something out of him both physically and mentally…
Stuart Bingham 6-0 Simon Bedford
124-14 (124) 74-44 (55) 69-20 (62) 119-0 (95) 54-25 65-2
Over in Leeds it was a similar story as Stuart Bingham, accurately described as a Pro-Am specialist over on the EASB website, took a 6-0 victory over fellow professional Simon Bedford. Following a an early miss from Bedford, Stuart made his intentions clear early on with a well-taken break of 124 and from there never really looked back as further breaks of 55, 62 and 95 saw him ease into a 4-0 lead at the interval.
Simon was getting chances but could not quite make the most of them and Stuart soon wrapped up an impressive victory to take the title and cap a perfect week for him as he continues to prepare for the new season. Both he and Simon will next be in action this coming Wednesday in the Pro Challenge Series, again at the NSC as the Shanghai Masters qualifiers get ever closer…