The China Open last 128 qualifying round was played in Barnsley over the last four days (27-30 January 2018). With a prize pot of 1 million pounds, and £225000 for the winner, this event will likely be crucial when it comes to determine who will go to the Crucible by right and who will have to play 3 qualifying matches. No wonder, most top players entered, and all Grove players were involved. Ali, Jack, Luca and Neil won their match and are China bound come early April. Unfortunately Judd and …

The Masters 2018 was played in Alexandra Palace from 14 to 21 January 2018 and was won by Mark Allen, who beat Kyren Wilson by 10-7 in the final. Neil Robertson, although back in the top 16, missed it because he was out of it at the time of the cut-off. He was still involved as a pundit and commentator for Eurosport, which he enjoyed immensely.
Luca, Ali and Judd played in the event. Luca and Ali lost in the last 16. Judd reached the semi-finals where he lost to Kyren …

The Championship League Snooker is back, as always in January and Groups 1-4 were played over the last 2 weeks. Neil entered Group 2 but was forced to with draw for personal reasons. Ali entered Group 3 and, having only just avoided relegation, went on to win Group 4. Judd entered in Group 4 and will continue his campaign later after the Masters.
All details about the tournament here

The two round of qualifiers for the German Masters 2018 were played in Barnsley, from 19 to 22 December 2017. Only Judd and Jack from the Grove will be in Berlin end January 2018. The timing of these qualifiers, at the end of a very busy first half of the season probably explains why there were a lot of unexpected results with only 7 of the top 16 going through.
All results are on Cuetracker

Neil won the Scottish Open 2017, defeating Cao Yupeng in a deciding frame, having trailed by 8-4. This is a fantastic victory for Neil, who has been struggling for the last two seasons. He couldn’t focus properly on his snooker whilst his partner was battling depression. Now she is winning the battle, and he is a winner again. Neil will miss the Masters, but he’s back in the top 16 and he’s not too bothered as much more important things in his, and his family’s life are getting on tracks …

Judd Trump was at the Canadian Imperial Banking and Commerce Miracle Day in London this week helping raise money for Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home.

Friday 8 Dec 2017 07:06PM

Judd Trump was at the Canadian Imperial Banking and Commerce Miracle Day in London this week helping raise money for Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home.
CIBC Miracle Day has helped to improve the lives of millions of children since it began in 1984, raising $241 million globally.
Jessie May was among the charities supported this year and Trump attended as an ambassador. The profits from the day’s trading will be donated …

The UK Championship 2017 is still underway in York at the time of writing but it’s long over for the Grove players unfortunately. Judd, Neil and Luca lost in the last 32, Jack and Oliver in the last 64 whilst Ali fell at first hurdle; he lost to Jimmy White … Another forgettable tournament. Luca has since withdrawn from the Scottish Open 2017 because he’s still suffering from the shoulder injury that bothered him in Shanghai. Neil’s early exit means that he will no more be in the top …

The tournament was held at the Waterfront, Belfast,fro November 20th 2017 to November 26th 2017. It was won by Mark Williams.
It was a tournament to forget for the Grove players as none of the went past the last 32.
All detailed results are on Cuetracker as usual

The Shanghai Masters 2017 was played in the Grand Stage, Shanghai, from November 13 to November 18, 2017. Judd made it to the Final, but was beaten by 10-3 by Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Judd had a great tournament overall, reaching the semi finals without dropping a frame at the main venue. At that stage he met Jack who managed to stay with him up to 3-3, before Judd pulled away with a 6-3 victory. Judd was also responsible for putting Luca out of the tournament, with a 5-0 win in the QF. …

The Champion of Champions invitational event was played in the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from 6 to 12 November 2017 and was won by Shaun Murphy. Only winners of snooker events played during the previous year are invited and Grove had no less than three players in it: Judd, Players Championship and European Masters Champion, Neil, Hong Kong Masters Champion and Luca, China Championship Champion. Unfortunately for them Luca and Judd were in the same group, and met in the last 16. Luca prevailed by 4-0. He then went on to …