The pro stages of the 4th European Event of the season, the Ruhr Open 2014, ran from November 21 to 23, 2014 in Mülheim. All Grove players were competing. The first day saw Neil and Wenbo qualify for the final day, where, unfortunately, they met each other in the last 16. Judd joined them on day 2 and faced Marco Fu. Neil reached the QF, Judd lost in the SF.

The Haining Open is the second Asian Tour event, played from 20 to 24 October 2014.
All Chinese Grove players are competing. On day 1, Cao Xin Long, Li Hang and Lyu Chenwei won their R1 matches but Zhang Anda was beaten. Day 2 didn’t start well with Wenbo and Yu Delu losing in R1, but Cao Yupeng progressed. Only Li Hang and Cao Yupeng managed to reach Round 3 but that’s as far as they went.

Liang Wenbo was the only Grove player involved in this invitational tournament that is now becoming a regular fixture in the calendar. The players are always made very welcome and this time was no exception.
Unfortunately Wenbo didn’t pass the group stage. You can see his results here
You can see pictures here
Pictures courtesy of Tommy Tanaka
Pictures by Steve Daintry

Sofia, Bulgaria – 3-5 October 2014.
Judd, Neil and Wenbo were competing. Judd beat the defending Champion, John Higgins in the last 64 and is into the Finals day, but Neil lost in the last 64 and Wenbo in the last 32. Unfortunately Judd lost in the last 16 by 4-3 to Michael Wasley.

The last 128 of the International Championship – 22-25 September 2014. All Grove players try to qualify for the television stages, to be played in Chengdu end October. Judd, Neil and Li Hang succeeded. See their full schedule and results here.

8-14 September, 2014, Shanghai China.
On the first day of the tournament, both Liang Wenbo and Li Hang had to face a wilcard. Wenbo lost by 5-1 to Yan Bingtao. Li Hang though beat Chen Zifan by 5-3. In the last 32, Judd lost by 5-3 to Dominic Dale, Neil lost 5-4 to Michael White and Li Hang lost 5-3 to Stuart Bingham. A pretty miserable tournament for the Grove team…

Liang Wenbo was the only Grove player involved in the six red World Championship, played in Bangkok, Thailand from September 1 to September 6, 2014. He qualified for the knock-out stage, having won 4 of his 5 matches in the round-robin stage. He lost by 6-5 to Dechawat Poomjaeng in the last 32.

Stadthalle, Fürth, Germany – 20-24 August 2014
All Grove players are involved, except Zhang Anda who couldn’t get a visa. Judd, Lihang and Cao Yupeng played on day 1 and Judd booked his spot in the Finals day. On day 2, Neil Robertson and Liang Wenbo won their three matches. Wenbo lost to Mark Selby in the last 16, and Neil went out to Dechawat Poomjaeng. Judd made it to the final but lost 4-2 to Mark Allen.

Neil, Judd and Wenbo are all in Bendigo for the Australian Open 2014 (June 30 – July 6, 2014). Neil fresh from his Wuxi success and a finalist last year, will try to get one better and lift the trophy in his home country. Wenbo lost to Robert Milkins in L32. Judd and Neil are through to the Final. Neil is now certain to be n°1 again after this tournament.

The Wuxi Classic is the first tournament of the new season and is scheduled from 23 to 29 June, 2014 in Wuxi, China. Neil is the defending champion. Five Grove players are competing: Neil, Judd, Yu Delu, Liang Wenbo, Cao Yupeng and Lyu Chenwei. Yu had a wilcard to play first but lost. Wenbo had a great win over Mark Selby in the last 32. Judd, Cao and Wenbo lost in the last 16. Neil beat Joe Perry by 10-9 in the Final and it clearly meant a lot …