Martyn Desperques claims 7th Shootout title

Martyn Desperques added to his Masters crown that he won last month with another Aquacovers Snooker Shootout title – his seventh in the eleven year history of the event. Victory against Glenn Le Prevost, in a third final meeting between the two, cemented Desperques’ place as the best there is in the speed format.

The Gremlin Club saw over 40 players take to the green baize in the single frame tournament with a 15 second shot clock and, whilst the Premier players again rose to the top, those outside of the top flight, including many who don’t play in the league, contributed hugely to a successful afternoon’s entertainment.

They included two second division players in Miles Davies, who beat two Premier standard opponents on the way to the quarter finals, and Danny Hook who fired in a 45 break in the plate competition that was won by Gary Le Noury in defeating Kelvin Du Feu, 28-22.

Desperques’ path to the main final wasn’t as comfortable as it often is with Ali Gilliland pushing him close in the second round, but it was even tighter in the semi-final. Ben Smith, who hadn’t played since the 2023 Shootout, but who would be coveted by many a Premier team if he didn’t reside in Sark, showed his ability throughout and only fell 44-33.

After defeating Kate Le Gallez and Colin Gilbert, Le Prevost faced his biggest test in the quarter final against Adam Shorto, who earlier posted the best break of the day with a fine 89 against Gowain McCarthy. The Shootout is the only snooker title to elude Shorto so far, and his wait continues having lost to his pairs partner, 19-41.

Le Prevost then defeated Darren Hughes in the semi before getting in first in the final, but the last match of the day didn’t reach the ten minute limit. Desperques fluently posted two breaks in the 30’s to win 72-18 for his third consecutive Shootout title.