Barry Books Final Spot
Barry Pinches set up an an early birthday present to himself as he reached the final of the second Players Tour Championship in Sheffield with a scintillating display against Gerard Greene.
Pinches, who turns 40 on Tuesday, and is most famous for his yellow and green backed waistcoat, has got progressively stronger as the tournament has gone on, displaying a high scoring, free flowing game.
Against Greene he lost the opening frame as the Northern Irishman fired in a 72 break, but Norfolk’s finest signalled his intent in the next by making his second century of the event, a break of 115.
In the next a telling run of 41 was the deciding factor which the world number 57 took before securing a 3-1 lead with another century (102).
It wasn’t long before Pinches secured victory and a place in the final with a frame winning effort of 86, which if he wins will move to the top of the PTC Order of Merit.
In the final, he will play tournament favourite, Mark Selby.
Once again, the Leicester player found himself trailing as he lost the opening two frames against Marco Fu from Hong Kong.
The world number nine, opened his account in the next, pinching it on the black and then levelled the scores with an immaculate 142 total clearance.
A long, drawn out tactical battle ensued in frame five, which Selby stole on the final black by 71 to 70 before booking his final slot with a break of 102, his sixth of the tournament so far.
Top spot on the PTC Order of Merit is also up for grabs if Selby takes the title. Mark Williams, who won the first event will drop to second place irrespective of the outcome.
