The Official SEPF MagazineIssue 1, November 2011.

Welcome to UPD8, the pool magazine which aims to keep you informed of all SEPF news, competitions, issues and opportunities.

British Lions Tour of Australia - Scottish Interleague PreviewScottish Singles - Scottish Masters - Ladies Scottish Masters

Border Reiver Invitational Team Event

DAZ DOWN UNDERSpecial feature on the British Eightball Lions' tour of Australia,

featuring Scotland's Darren Matthew

Scottish Interleague Over 200 players from across the country will descend on Pettycur Bay on November 18th to take part in the Scottish Interleague. The weekend is one of the most popular in the pool calendar and sees select teams from SEPF affiliated leagues battle it out to sort out the best from the rest.

Last year's champions, Styx A (Kirkcaldy), will be looking to retain their title but will face tough opposition in the form of Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Fraserburgh. Other teams to keep an eye on include Boddam & Cruden and also Elgin and Lockerbie who are both arriving with considerably stronger teams than last year.

An innovation for 2011 will be the introduction of the Interleague Singles. Only one player from each team may enter, meaning a very good chance of seeing a new name in the headlines!Last year's winners Styx, defeated Fraserburgh B in the final after Fraserburgh's surprise semi-final victory over their own A team. Packed with internationals like Andy Gerrie and Thomas Bannon, Fraserburgh A will surely be aiming to go a stage further this year.

Stonehaven were well fancied last season but fell to Styx in the knockout stage. Including players like Darren Matthew and Simon Mitchell in their side they certainly aren't coming to make up the numbers. Aberdeen A are always amongst the favourites, but can the team live up to expectations this time round? The Lockerbie league has attracted several local players who make the short journey across the border to play their pool.

Players like Matt Brannan, Alan McLeod and Garry Southern will 2010 Finalists, Styx (purple), Fraserburgh B (white).prove a match for anyone in Scotland, but will this trio be enough to take the team all the way? Another team to keep an eye on are Sh88ters (Aberdeen). Featuring players like Colin 'Dawg' Brown and the Fleming brothers they're easily capable of beating anyone on their day. It'll be interesting to see who the bookies make their favourites, and where the money goes!

At the time of writing, it looks as though 24 teams will be entering the Interleague, although with the Kirriemuir Pool League (Region 2) affiliating, the number may well increase.

Page 2 NOV 2011

Daz down UnderAberdeen's Darren Matthew won through a British trial to become one of eight amateurplayers who earned an all expenses paid trip to Australia to face a star studded Australiannational team. Matthew has certainly stepped up a level this season, not only has he earned his British Lions place, but the former 3x World Junior Champ has also recently won the SEPF Scottish Singles, thumped a top blackball player at his own game and finished No2 in the player of the tournament rankings at the 2011 WEPF World Championship.

The Lions' tour of Australia got off to a shaky start with only a few members of the team having had top level international experience. Matthew and fellow team mates, Wayne 'Rhino' Smith (Wales) and Clayton Attard (Malta), claimed all but one of the frames in a comprehensive 18-6 first test defeat. Matthew and Smith carried their form into the next matches, instilling confidence in their team mates who drew the second test before thumping the Aussies 15-9 in the third. The Aussies came back to win the penultimate fourth test, 14-10, giving them a one match lead going into the final day.

In dramatic fashion, the Lions came back to win the final match, tying the series at two all. In the event of a draw, a seven frame decider would be used to decide the overall winners and the Lions hadn't travelled half way round the world to come home losers! Australia's 2011 World Singles semi finalist, Ben Nunan lost the first frame to give the Lions an early lead which was consolidated when Darren Matthew defeated Ron Kelly, arguably the best player in the Aussie team. The next two frames went to the Aussies, meaning the entire test series now boiled down to a best of three frames climax. Lions captain and World Trickshot Champion, Wayne 'Rhino' Smith, took the next frame to make it 3-2 and Paul Hawkins subsequently potted the series winning black to win the series and bring the honours home. Sadly, the Aussies declined the offer to burn their cues and place the ashes in a cup!

Next year the Lions will travel to Africa to face a continental select team and Matthew, along with a couple of team mates, have been granted entry into the final stage of national qualification for the team.

Above left: Daz Matthew in action for the BritishLions.

Above: Daz with team mate, Clayton Attard,Malta, who earned his place as the only non-Brit in the team by wiining the 2011 EuropeanChampionship on home soil.

Left: The Lions team, Matthew third from left.

NOV 2011 Page 3

Susan reigns Supreme The Ladies Scottish Masters was held on 1st October 2011. A new venue was chosen for the event this year with the Caledonia Golf Club in Montrose hosting a memorable competition on five brand new Supreme tables kindly loaned to the SEPF by the Montrose & District Pool League.

13 Ladies turned out for the tournament, including two who travelled up from the South of England. On the day though, it was two Moray pool players, Susan Collins (Elgin) and Angie Tidball (Keith) who topped their groups to reach the semi finals.

In the first semi, Collins, well versed in winning major titles, defeated Jo Coe (England) 5-3 in a titanic tactical marathon. The other semi saw Tidball take on veteran Aberdeen star, Karin Burt, winner of this year's Scottish Singles title. The tie couldn't have been any different from the first semi final, with both players attacking everything in sight and each pulling off impressive clearances and nailing tricky pots. The match was incredibly tight with neither player managing to open up a healthy lead and almost inevitably the tie went down to the final black. Unfortunately for Tidball, who is well tipped to win major honours, the experience of Burt made the difference as she held her nerve to seal a 5-4 win.

Susan Collins and Karin Burt have exchanged major honours and faced each other in many finals over the last few years. It was a final line up many would have predicted. Collins had a score to settle with Burt after being hammered 6-1 in the Scottish Singles Final in Elgin earlier in the season. With this in mind, she set off by winning the first two frames, then after losing the third never looked back, storming to an impressive victory which was the reverse scoreline of her Scottish Singles defeat.

Ladies Scottish Masters Final: Susan Collins 6-1 Karin Burt.

Left: Finalists, Karin Burt(left) and Susan Collinsprior to the 2011 SEPFLadies Scottish Mastersfinal.

Below: 2011 LadiesScottish Masters SemiFinalists, Jo Coe (left) andAngie Tidball.

Page 4 NOV 2011

Scottish SinglesThe SEPF Scottish Singles was hosted and sponsored by Styx, Kirckaldy over the weekend of8th and 9th October. The top 16 ranked players from each SEPF Region were seeded into a star studded draw which featured several former champs. Some early promise was shown from Region Two's home players in the Friday night flier with Kirkcaldy's talent Dean Hutchison claiming the prize money after defeating Shaun Wishart (Kirkcaldy) in the final.

There was an early scare in the preliminary round for international regular and former World Junior and U21 champ, Pat McCarron (Aberdeen) who won through on a 15th frame decider after Fraserburgh's U21 international, Thomas Bannon, failed to sink the match winning black despite having two visits. The only other notable player to fall at this stage was Philip Craig (Aberdeen) who was sent packing by Jason Harley (Kirkcaldy).

The first round of the main event saw most of the favourites advance although over 50's World Singles quarter finalist, Paul McGowan (Kirkcaldy) gave Shaun Wishart a scare, narrowly losing 8-6. The game of the tie saw Mark Bell (Elgin) defeat Derek Ahern (Aberdeen) 8-7. The game went to the wire, with Bell screaming in a difficult black down the rails, knowing full well if he missed the game was lost.

The last 32 again saw most of the fancied players advance, however, Dean Hutchison knocked outMcCarron, winning the deciding frame to win 8-7, despite McCarron battling back well after finding himself5-1 down.

The last 16 saw former champions and top seeds falling like leaves. 2009 Champ, Ian Daniel (Ellon) was sent home by the 2008 Champ, Chris Corcoran (Kirkcaldy) while 2010 Champ, Shaun Wishart, was KO'd by Region One tour winner, Andy Gerrie (Fraserburgh). 2007 Champ, Mike Keddie (Kirkcaldy) was defeated by 2011 U21 World Singles finalist, Ryan Fleming (Dundee) whilst Dean Hutchison, Raymond Mowat (Fraserburgh) and Adam Macleod (Elgin) also had theircompetition cut short. Daz Matthew and Mike Keddie (Tournament Director)

The quarter finals saw Chris Corcoran knock out Andy Gerrie 8-3, Darren Matthew (Aberdeen) beat Marc Fleming (Dundee) by the same scoreline, Ryan Fleming defeat Stephen Corcoran, again 8-3, and Martin McIntosh beat Mark Gravener (both Aberdeen) 8-5.

It certainly made for a quality semi final line-up! Two time former champ, Darren Matthew, took control of his tie against Chris Corcoran, winning 8-6 against a very tough opponent. The other semi was slightly closer, with Ryan Fleming, runner up in both the Scottish Open and the World U21 singles finals this year, battling all the way with Martin McIntosh, who has arguably been the SEPF's player of the season this year. On this occasion, McIntosh held his nerve to win his place in the final by taking the all important deciding frame.

No one could question the class of the finalists, both thoroughly deserved their place and either would be a worthy winner. Last year's Scottish Masters champ, McIntosh is following in the footsteps of his friend and international teammate Matthew, both have uncanny complete control of the cue ball and neither ever seem to show signs of nerves no matter what the occasion or who they're playing. However, when Matthew is on form, he's a force to be reckoned with by anyone in the world and with the prospect of an upcoming trip to play for the British Lions in Australia, the £800 top prize would certainly be welcome! Faced with an uphill battle, McIntosh fought like a lion but it was Matthew who ran out 8-6 winner to claim the Scottish Singles title for the third time.

Scottish Singles Final: Darren Matthew 8-6 Martin McIntosh.

Nov 2011 Page 5

Regional Round Up The 2011 SEPF Region One tour has been won by Andy Gerrie (Fraserburgh) who beat Martin McIntosh, Mike Clark and Darren Matthew (all Aberdeen) to the top spot. Regional tour winners also win an automatic Scotland Squad place for 2012. In recent weeks, both the Stonehaven and Ellon Leagues have affiliated to the SEPF, we look forward to seeing them at the Interleague.

The Region Two tour has been won by Shaun Wishart (Kirkcaldy) who finished well ahead of Scott Kennedy, Dean Hutchison and Alan Scott. The Region Two Over 40's Tour was won by Paul McGowan despite the best efforts of Alan Scott to catch him. Left: Shaun Wishart, Region Two Tour Winner.

The Region Three (Borders) tour went right to the wire and was won by Mark McGauley (Milton Keynes) who beat Chris Silver (Lockerbie) in the final. Silver KO'd Garry Southern (Maryport) in the semi to end Southern's hopes of winning the automatic squad spot. Southern started the day in pole position and although many would have loved to have seen a McGauley v Southern final, they're just as happy to see local lad Silver reach his first tour final. Following on with his recent good form, Chris Silver won the Lockerbie Singles in October.

The Region Four (Moray & Highlands) tour was won by Adam Macleod (Elgin) who lost in the last tour event final of the season to Peter Fyffe (Burghead). The event doubled up as the inaugural Morayshire Eightball Singles Championship and current Scotland International Fyffe was a popular winner of the impressive trophy. The Keith & District Pool League, who already have a good number of players taking part in SEPF events have affiliated to the Federation. The Inaugural Moray and Nairnshire Interleague featuring teams from Elgin, Keith and Buckie took place on Nov 5th. All three Elgin teams made it out of the groups and were joined by a strong Keith team. Elgin A defeated Elgin B in the final.

Above: Peter Fyffe (left), winner of the Morayshire Eightball Singles Championship and runner-up Adam Macleod, who won the SEPF Region Four Tour outright.

Left: Elgin A – Winners of the Moray and Nairnshire Interleague. L to R: Adam Wood, Alan Duncan, Neill Simpson, Peter Fyffe, Adam Macleod, Tony McCallion, Raymond Mackenzie (C), not in picture; Dave Main.

Page 6 NOV 2011

Scottish MastersThe 2011 SEPF Scottish Masters was held at Reivers Sports Bar, Galashiels, over the weekendof 25th & 26th September. This year's Masters saw the the first major honours go to a Region Three (Borders) player after Alan Mcleod (Cumbria) whitewashed Kirkcaldy's Chris Corcoran, 6-0 in the final. Corcoran had earned his place in the final by defeating Region Three's Scott Simpson 6-4 in the semi whilst McLeod won in the deciding frame against international star, Scott Kennedy (Kirkcaldy).

Lockerbie cueist, Chris Silver followed up his recent regional tour final appearance by winning the plate event, taking the impressive scalp of Mark McGauley in the semi finals and edging out Over 50's international Mike McHale (Kirkcaldy) in the final. Matt Brannan (Penrith) won the Friday Night Open.

The weekend also saw the inaugural running of the Masters Scotch Doubles competition. Kirkcaldy duo, Dean Hutchison and Scott Kennedy, who've both represented Scotland this season, cruised to the final, knocking out Lockerbie youngsters, Allen Baldock and Steven Graham in the semi finals. Joining them in the final were Matt Brannan and SEPF President, Mike McDonald (Lockerbie), who defeated local pair Scott Bowers and Scott Simpson in the semis.

The final turned out to be a pretty one sided affair as Hutchison and Kennedy quickly racked up the frames needed to earn a 4-1 victory over Brannan and McDonald.

Above left: Scottish Masters Champion, AlanMcLeod (left) and runner up, Chris Corcoran.

Above: Scottish Masters Scotch DoublesChampions, Scott Kennedy (left) and DeanHutchison.

Left: Scottish Masters Scotch Doubles RunnersMatt Brannan (left) and Mike McDonald

NOV 2011 Page 7

Border Reiver 5 Man

Team Invitational EventReiver's Sports Bar, Galashiels played host to a World Rules invitational team event over the weekend of 27th and 28th August. The two teams who travelled the furthest distances combined to provide some top class eightball pool. Sh88ters, Aberdeen, fielded a team who would be favourites for many team events;Andy Eager, John Falconer and Lindsay Ahern, all former Scotland internationals and Colin Brown, who has recently made the switch from top level blackball to world rules. Making up the numbers was Martin McIntosh, reigning Scottish Masters Champion and current Scotland International who also reached the last 16 of the World Masters earlier in the year.

Needless to say, Sh88ters topped their group with ease and comfortably defeated Penicuik 8-2 in the semis. In the other semi final, a Milton Keynes select team featuring Region 3 Tour players, Mark McGauley and Chris Wells, knocked out Cumbria, 8-5. With two unbeatensides in the final, neither team expected to lose but unfortunately for Sh88ters, someone had to. Helped by a bit of good luck, Milton Keynes racked up the frames needed to win 8-5 in the final.

Above: Border Reiver 5 Man Team Champions, Milton Keynes.

Left: Border Reiver 5 Man Team runners up, Sh88ters (Aberdeen). Left to right; Andy Eager, Colin 'Dawg' Brown, Martin McIntosh, John Falconer, Lindsay Ahern.

Next EditionIssue two will be available mid January and will feature a preview of the European Championships which will take place in Dublin next

February, along with details of all players who make the squad. We'll also look ahead to the forthcoming season including March's Scottish Open and 5 Man Team Event and take a look back at how the Scottish Interleague went!

Page 8 NOV 2011

SEPF Polo ShirtsThe SEPF has recently commissioned embroidered personalised polo shirts featuring the newSEPF logo.

The logo is embroidered in fine detail on heavyweight, high quality polo shirts and are available to all players at a cost of £20 each.

The polo's are available in a wide range of standard colours, and can be personalised with your name and a second line of text (region, league, team, club, etc). Special requests such as long sleeves, unusual sizes, etc, can be catered for although this may incur an additional cost.

Having sold 50 shirts within a week of being advertised, we envisage that they're going to be popular with players at all levels, including league players who choose not to play on regional tours, and it would be ideal if players would turn up to as many SEPF events as possible sporting their personalised shirts!

Please complete the form on Page 11 to order your shirt!

National TrialsThe 2011 International Trials will take place over the weekend of 3rd and 4th December in Riley's, Aberdeen.

Thanks to Riley's manager, John Mulhern, the SEPF have exclusive use of all eightball tables in the club for the duration of the weekend.

Men, Ladies and U21s wil trial on the Saturday, Juniors and O50s on the Sunday.

Qualification for the men's trial is via 2011 SEPF Regional Tour rankings, all players ranked between 2-9 are invited, the places may be handed down if players cannot make it, however players should only attend if they feel they are good enough to compete at the highest level. The other categories feature open trials and whilst the O50s and Junior sections are extremely well supported, we would encourage any U21s and Ladies who feel they have what it takes to come along and try out!

SEPF ContactsPlease contact the Secretary for all general enquiries

President: Mike McDonald 07851 202724 michaelmcdonald65@hotmail.co.ukSecretary: Brad Wight 07845 661961 elgin.pool@gmail.comTreasurer: Ian Moffat 07854 036429 mufter52@hotmail.com

For SEPF Regional Committee contact details, please visit www.sepf.com

NOV 2011 Page 9

YOU COULD BE

ADVERTISING

HERE!

Advertising space is now available in all subsequentissues of UPD8.

This magazine will be posted to pool and snooker halls across Scotland for players to pick up for free. It will also be made available to all other major SEPF venuesand affiliated pool leagues.

For further details on advertising in UPD8, or to add your name/venue to the UPD8 mailing list, please contact Brad Wight at elgin.pool@gmail.com

Further details will be available shortly

Page 10 NOV 2011

Polo Shirt Order Form

Shirt Colour: …......................................................................................................

Shirt Size: S M L XL XXL Other.................................

Name on shirt: …......................................................................................................

Second Line of Text (region, team, town etc): …...........................................................

Colour of text: …......................................................................................................

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your details:

Region: …..........................................................................................

Name: …..........................................................................................

Telephone: …..........................................................................................

Email: …..........................................................................................

Address to send shirt: …..........................................................................................

…..........................................................................................

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Postcode: …..........................................................................................

Please enclose a cheque or postal order for £20.00 per polo shirt and post together with this form to:

Brad WightSEPF Secretary2 Covesea RoadElginMorayIV30 4JX

Alternatively bank transfers can be arranged by emailing elgin.pool@gmail.comAn electronic receipt will be emailed to the email address you have provided following cleared payment. Please do not send cash in the post, the SEPF cannot be held responsible if cash is lost in the post.

NOV 2011 Page 11

2012 SEPF CalendarImportant dates for your diary, the full calendar can be viewed at

www.sepf.com

Venues will be confirmed over the new year period.

Please note, dates are subject to amendment, please check the website or subsequent editions of UPD8.

Regional Tour Weekends:Event 1: February 11th & 12th Event 2: April 14th & 15th Event 3: May 19th & 20th Event 4: July 28th & 29th Event 5: August 25th & 26th Event 6: October 6th & 7th

National Tour Weekends (O50, U21, Junior, Ladies)Event 1: March 31st – April 1st Event 2: May 12th & 13th Event 3: August 4th & 5th Event 4: October 13th & 14th

SEPF Majors (Combined Mens & Ladies)Scottish Open: March 23rd – 25th, Pettycur Bay. 5 Man Team Open: March 24th & 25th Scottish Masters: June 2nd & 3rd Scottish Singles: September 8th & 9th Scottish Interleague: November 16th - 18th

International EventsEuropean Championships: February 18th - 24th Home Internationals: May 5th - 7th World Championships: June 23rd – July 4th World Masters: June 30th – July 1st

MiscellaneousSEPF AGM: January 21st National Trials: November 3rd & 4th

To submit content or advertise in the next issue, contact Brad Wight:elgin.pool@gmail.com 07845 661 961