Everyone who played in the inaugural Eastwood Charity Snooker Open held at Phoenix Cue Sports on Saturday 1 March 2008 said they had a terrific day of snooker. The tournament was well run by Stephen Lally and the round robin format provided excellent value for money. The club has seven lovely tables that are well maintained by the staff.

Numbers were lower than expected due to some entrants not turning up on the day for various reasons, however that benefited the ten competitors on the day because it enabled two groups of five to be formed, guaranteeing everyone at least four matches.

Group 1 proved to be very tight. Mark Harmon (Kingston-upon-Thames) won the group with his only defeat coming against Lenton’s Adam Shaw. Shaw, one of the pre-tournament favourites, surprisingly lost three of his four matches, finishing next to bottom. Ultimately, the second semi-final place was to be decided in the very last match of the group, where Farnsfield’s Matt Ellis played Awsworth’s Ash Goring. Ellis, whose three previous matches all went to deciding frames, seemed to run out of steam and it was Goring who sealed his semi-final place.

Ex-professional Wayne Martin (Bulwell) was the runaway winner of group 2 as he only dropped one frame on the way to winning all four of his matches. Steve Butler lost to Martin 2-0 in his first match but he managed to recover, winning his next three matches to take second place in the group.

Mark Harmon, helped by a break of 37 and some solid play, beat Steve Butler 2-0.

Wayne Martin went 1-0 down against Ash Goring and he looked to be heading home as he found himself requiring three snookers. Amazingly, Martin not only managed to get the required snookers but he also cleared the table to pinch the frame. That seemed to spur him on and despite a determined fight by Goring it was Martin who secured a place in the final.

The final proved to be a very one sided affair as Martin played some terrific snooker, including a 40 break, to win the match 3-0 in less than an hour. Harmon had very few chances as Martin produced some excellent safety play.

Wayne Martin £50 plus £5 for the highest break (53)

Mark Harmon £25

Steve Butler £10

Ash Goring £10

£2 from each players entry fee was given to the Nazareth House Snooker League who will ensure that the money goes to a worthy cause.

Wayne Martin 53,40,37,32,31

Mark Doyle 47,31

Mark Harmon 37

Steve Butler 33