TOUR 1 REPORT POTTS BECOMES RECORD BREAKER
Gareth Potts established a new record for Strachan IPA Tour victories thanks to an opening campaign win over Lee Kendall.
Potts prevailed 8-5 in this all-Potteries clash to increase his number of tour titles to 12.
That's one more than Keith Brewer and three ahead of Mick Hill and Darren Appleton.
And Potts has chalked up his dozenwins in just seven years.
“It’s a big achievement forme,” said Potts after defeating a resurgent Kendall.
“And hopefully I have got a few more left in me yet.”
Potts has triumphed in at least one Tour every season since 2004 apart from a barren year in 2006.
And he certainly earned his latest success, avenging his world final defeat by Mick Hill in the semi-finals.
“I actually had a real tough draw all the way through,” says Potts, whose close rival Phil Harrison lost 7-5 in the last 32 to Frank Costello.
“But the match with Mick was of a real high standard.
“I was 4-1 down and took out a big finish to get to 4-2. That was a big turning point.
“I started to play really well after that and fortunately Mick missed his last ball in the decider to let me in.”
While Potts beat Hill 8-7, England skipper Kendall rolled back the years to beat Rob Chilton 8-4 in the other semi.
“It’s never easy playing someone like Lee who I know so well,” agreed Potts.
34 “And I am really pleased for him.
“I know he was disappointed by his form at the end of last year.
“He was losing to players he would normally expect to beat. I think itwas either 'put inmore practice' or retire.
“Lee decided to put in the hours and it seems to have paid off.
“As forme, I hope to continue playingwell this year, win more titles and keep breaking records."
Tour One Results:
Last 32: Frank Costello bt Phil Harrison 7-5, Craig Waddingham bt Ronan McCarthy 7-4, Lee Kendall bt Neil Toms 7-3, Karl Sutton bt Nathan Bridges 7-3, Rob Chilton bt James Croxton 7- 3, Jason Twist bt Liam Farrell 7-6, Keith Brewer bt Dean Anderson 7-3, Marc Farnsworth bt Clint I’Anson 7-2,Mick Hill bt AdamDavis 7-6, Ben Flack bt Ashley Radford 7-3,Wayne Smith bt Ben Davies 7-1, Steve Munro bt Tom Cousins 7-6, Lee Clough btMark Thrussell 7-2, George Reeves bt Carl Morris 7-5, Jordan Church bt Peter Mullaney 7-5, Gareth Potts bt Russell Burgess 7-4.
Last 16: Waddingham bt Costello 7-5, Kendall bt Sutton 7-1, Chilton bt Twist 7-6, Farnsworth bt Brewer 7-6, Hill bt Flack 7-2, Munro bt Smith 7-2, Clough bt Reeves 7-4, Potts bt Church 7- 4.
Quarter-finals: Kendall bt Waddingham 7-6, Chilton bt Farnsworth 7-5, Hill bt Munro 7-2, Potts bt Clough 7-4.
Semi-finals: Kendall bt Chilton 8-4, Potts bt Hill 8-7.
Final: Potts bt Kendall 8-5.
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