Ridley Realises Oceania Championship Ambition

Adrian Ridley defeated Dennis Paul in the final to win the 2018 OBSF Oceania Snooker Championship. It is the first time that the Australian has claimed the title.

This year held at the Mounties Club in Sydney, the latest edition of this continental competition featured representatives of New Zealand, Fiji and the host nation, Australia.

Ridley nearly suffered an early exit from the event, though, narrowly qualifying from his group with two victories from four matches. However, he produced the goods when it really mattered come the knockout phase.

The Victorian held his nerve whilst coming through deciding frame wins over Alex Pace and Ben Foster in the last 32 and 16 respectively, before more comfortable successes against Alex McCarthy and 2011 winner Joe Minici in the quarter and semi-finals. Minici was aiming for a unique double having claimed the Oceania Billiards Championship here a few days previously.

In the title match Ridley faced fellow countryman Dennis Paul, who was undefeated throughout. A predictably close final materialised with never more than a frame between the pair up until the end.

It appeared as if Paul had forced a decider when he potted the brown in frame 10 to leave his opponent needing a snooker. However, a snooker on the blue from Ridley – that Paul subsequently failed to escape from – put the frame back in the balance. After exchanges of play, Ridley cleared the three remaining colours to complete a 6-4 triumph and join a roll of honour that includes Dene O’Kane and Neil Robertson.

Ridley has been one of Australia’s most consistent performers in recent years; he is also the reigning Australian national champion.

Picture above is courtesy of the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council

Article written and published by Michael Day on the 18th March 2018