by PLtheRef » 09 Apr 2011 Read
just back from the event at the Crucible, thoroughly entertained.
Part 1 began with a tribute to the Hurricane, who obviously made his farewell here last year. After that some impressions of Messrs Griffiths, Taylor and Higgins from JV
The Prelim and the two semis were played in this half, White 2-1 Kirk Stevens on a respot black, Taylor 2-0 Thorburn, White 2-1 Parrott, again on a respot black.
After the break, a memorabilia auction and the raffle to play a frame with Kirk, Cliff and CJ de Mooi, - Adrian Handers won the frame, - and Handy with a cue, helped Cliff get his frame win on the board.
After this was another frame, auctioned off, to play White. David Rathband won this and received a huge cheer as he went to play. David Rathband was the Policeman blinded by Raoul Moat last year, and to his endearing credit, had the crowd in stitches, - in particular, potting a blue, he turned away from it, and shot it in saying 'I can play this game with my eyes shut' - JV helped him and he got the biggest cheer when he potted one, asking Michaela to repeat, 'David Rathband 1' - real gent, and courageous bloke.
Final followed after this, just 1 frame which Jimmy won by 60 odd to 29, he joked that it was funny to be picking up a trophy at the Crucible,
All in all, a great night