Calabrese rules Oceania

 By KYMLIE KARANI

PART-Papua New Guinean Vinnie Calabrese was crowned the 2013 BSP Oceania snooker champion on Saturday night after beating Mathew Bolton 6-5 in a nerve-wrecking 11th frame.

With his win, Calabrese, whose mother is from East New Britain, has now qualified for a professional tour in England later this year.

The snooker champion was overwhelmed after beating billiards champion Bolton.

In the 2009 Oceania Billiards & Snooker Championships, Calabrese lost in the semi-finals and said this was his first win for the Oceania title.

“This is amazing. Having to win in PNG in front of my home crowd is amazing. It was great having the crowd on my side,” Calabrese said.

Both players tied at 5-5 at the end of the tenth frame. In the final frame, Bolton potted balls Calabrese could not play. 

But Calabrese knew how to work his way around the table, making it hard for Bolton.

Calabrese dominated mid-way through the final frame, potting classic shots to clear his way.

Bolton conceded when Calabrese shot up to 74 points, while he was on four and Calabrese won 6-5.

In the women’s snooker finals, 18-year-old Australian Jessica Woods beat Papua New Guinean favourite Geua John 4-2 to claim the 2013 women’s snooker title. Again, it was another tough match, with Woods leading 2-0 in the best of seven frames. 

However, John had an amazing comeback, drawing 2-2 but disappointingly gave it away to the youngster who snatched victory with two more frames.

In the men’s semi-finals on Friday, Calabrese beat Ryan Thomerson 5-0, while Bolton and Steve Mifsud competed in a tough match, with Bolton defeating Mifsud 5-4.