Relentless Gilchrist Makes it Four in a Row
Peter Gilchrist defeated Martin Goodwill in the final to claim the Rosetta Sports Welsh Open last weekend and continue his recent dominance on the World Billiards scene.
Following recent tour stops in Canada, Australia and Thailand, the circuit returned to the UK for a new event that was held at Redz Snooker Club in Cwmbran. It was the fourth and final leg of a ‘Home Nations’ type series that has taken place throughout the 2018/19 season.
Over 40 players – both male and female – representing seven different nations took part in South Wales, but it was the familiar sight of world number one and former multiple-time world champion Gilchrist lifting the trophy come Sunday evening. The Singaporean citizen had no issues qualifying from his group as he comfortably won all four matches, making six centuries and a double-century in the process.
Seeded through to the last 16, a brace of three-figure contributions helped him eliminate Ryan Mears 650-294 before an incredible display of power scoring saw him break the thousand-point mark against Eddie Duggan in the quarter-finals. During the comprehensive, ninety-minute 1101-120 victory, Gilchrist constructed a 499 and a 327; efforts that would be the tournament’s two highest breaks. More impressive scoring came in his semi-final success over Steve Brookshaw as runs of 178, 248 and 185 set him up for an 863-190 win.
Gilchrist’s opponent in the final was Englishman Goodwill, who likewise was undefeated on route. During the knockout stages Goodwill denied Stephen Kershaw, Chris Coumbe and then Mark Hirst, but he was left predominantly as a spectator in the championship decider as Gilchrist breezed home by 863 to 190, adding further breaks of 200 and 257 to his bulging tally from across the weekend. This latest triumph is Gilchrist’s fourth consecutive World Billiards title and his sixth overall this season.
In the Challenge Cup final, it was an all-English affair as Eddie Fielding ousted Brian Pritchard 134-98.
To view the full results from Wales please visit World Billiards.
