Welsh Gold

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So as the Welsh Open draws to a close and I trundle home to Stevenage, my mind reflects on the last few days. After a week of shock defeats and the emergence of new talent, the Welsh Open has been a great success.

Unlike my previous visit to Berlin, this venue is compact with a far smaller audience. However the majority of the seats were filled even on final day when some interest had wavered because the eye catching names had been knocked out of the competition.

The only slight moan I would have is that a few members of the audience decided to leave the area at the wrong moment, exiting via the creaking stage when the player was down on his shot, especially on the final night when someone just got up and decided to leave as Bingham was taking a crucial pot attempt.

In the few days I have been in Cardiff, I have fallen in love with this city. It makes me very proud to be part Welsh and to feel my heart strings tugged every time I come back to my beloved Wales.

Behind the scenes, I got to experience the scene that few people do, going in the players lounge and meeting my pals Darren Morgan and Joe Johnson,talking to people involved in the media and catching up on missed news.

I am very lucky to be able to experience these tournaments in the way but in the same way feel humble that I know the people in the game that I do. To have Stuart Bingham tap you on the shoulder and say “ hello Elliott, how are you?” is an amazing feeling and I am so happy that my face is finally starting to get recognised.

Welsh snooker is in a healthy place and the passion that the fans have for the game hasn’t dwindled. Even when the last Welsh  player is knocked out, they find their new favourite and back their man all the way. Congratulations to Neil Robertson and commiserations to my pal Stuart Bingham.


I am sad to leave this wonderful city and enchanted land but will make a promise that I will be back soon and next time will not leave my return so long, adieu Cardiff! I know my Welsh Grandfather, John Reardon from Ebbw Vale would be very proud of me.




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