The 2022 Canterbury Open was played 30/31 July and what a competition it was !! A bit of a Tournament Directors nightmare with two of the original 32 pulling out because of covid and a funeral to attend but meant I got plenty of practice at doing re-draws.

  When we finally knew the 30 playing on Saturday morning then the battles began there were many close games on Saturday with frames going right to the last few balls. 

Highlights of Saturday ; Section 6 -Hannah Wood in her first ever tournament managed to take a frame from Dave Witehira in her first game of the day and then later Dave battled with Louise Kerr in a tough 5 framer which Dave won! 

Section 5 had many full 5 frame games, the biggest upset for the day being Dylan Engebretsen beating Kelly Pritchard in the last match of the day at Hornby club where Sections 3 and 5 played.The Biggest battle of the day in Section 4 went to Bruce Dann and John Isaacs, that 5 framer went Bruce's way.

Since we were qualifying all the 1 and 2 in section plus the 4 best #3 in section there were many tough games for those battling to make best 4 number 3's !! Section 3 was very much" to seeding" with Dale Kwok easily coming out on top of that section !! Section 2 "battle of the day " went to Corien Simpson and Isaiah Minnear , full 5 frames and could have gone either way.

Corien had already won against Chris Williams and was looking to make the last 16 but unfortunately it wasn't to be her day or any others as only two qualified from that section. Section 1 was the section that provided the most memorable event of the day, one that all that were there will not forget too soon. 

In the game Graham Davies v Mark Canovan being played on Table 6 at Cuthbert's Green we saw Mark Canovan make a brilliant 138 cl to take the highest break of the tournament !! All players stopped to watch his attempt and it was a pleasure to watch, everyone was willing him to go all the way and clear the lot. A rousing round of applause was given by all present, Lol then they all had to try and settle and get on with their games !! 

It was late Saturday evening before all results were in and the last 16 could be found !! It was going to be a great field and everyone was looking forward to the next day's play. Even if I had to redraw the last 16 as I had been given wrong results from a section !! 

Sunday morning's "last 16" biggest upset was 15th Qualifier Peter Chamberlain taking the 5 frame battle against SI Snooker Champion and second seed Rob Redgrove. Also we had Dave Witehira, 17th Qualifier promoted to "last 16" from the Plate event as we had a "no show" from one of the players and no notification. With the new remit that was passed at the recent NZBSA AGM allowing now to keep full last 16 draw, CBSA evoked this rite and pulled in Dave Witehira to make the full contingent. 

Dave and Dale Shannon battled hard and it eventually went 3-2 to Dale. Down to the Quarterfinals and what a game to watch between Dale Kwok and Kelly Pritchard. Another full 5 frames game that saw Dale edge out Kelly !! In the Semi finals we had on one side Mark Canovan playing Ian Muir. Mark came out with a 102 break which Ian stated after "was a joy to watch" ! Not much else Ian could do but watch especially after Mark had made 88 in "Last 16"  match which could have gone further but for a jaw! 65 break in the Quarterfinals and now 102 in the Semi. 

That match went 3-1 to Mark. On the other side of the draw we had a rematch from two players that had first played against each other in 1976 !! An up and coming "curly mopped" youngster from Christchurch was playing in his first ever "Nationals" !! In those days it was a big deal to get to play at the Nationals , as you had to qualify by winning certain tournaments in your area or be in the top so many in the country. There were only 56 places and all were filled by protocol !! Not like today where you fill out an entry, pay your money and you are in !! The depth of players was such that it was very special to get to play at the Nationals.

The curly mopped young man played against one of the Top players of the day and they had a great battle from all accounts ! 46 years later and not so curly mopped, Peter de Groot played yet again Dale Kwok - who is still in the top 10 on NZ ranking list . 

Their battle was of epic proportion and came down to the last two balls in the 5th frame !! 46 years and still going hard out with their talented shots and super snookers !! Peter won the battle this time and went to the final against Mark Canovan Mark didn't waste any time and got stuck in and finished the battle 3-0.

In the Flyte we had a great battle between Rob Redgrove and Dave Witehira with Rob winning that 2-1  and in the Plate we had " unranked on NZ ranking list" Gary Oliver v Louise Kerr. That went Gary's way and in future tournaments he will no longer be 5th in section.

 It was a surprise for many that did not realise he had dropped off the ranking list awhile ago.

Kind regards

Kathryn Steeman

Secretary CBSA

Tournament Convenor

For all the results go to the results 2022 page on the website.