28/04/2026
Grand Slam Champion Crowned
Saturday night saw the culmination of the latest version of Cue & Cushions famous Grand Slam pool tournament, starting back in September with 36 entrants battling it out through two groups, resulting in a 16 player knockout and plate event.
After some fantastic battles we ended up with a final between one of the post tournament favourites Dan Connell and a relatively new pool player, Jase Hickey who defeated last year's winner TJ Bateman in the semi final.
The handicapped final started off with Dan on -6 and Jase on +4, racing to 18. It started the same way many of Dan's games do, with solid clearances and tight play to reduce the lead, Dan eventually drew level at 7-7, at which point it looked like the writing was on the wall. Dan went in front and continues to push on, moving the score on to 12-9 and maintaining a three frame lead up to 15-12 but Jase kept fighting, bringing the score back to 15-14, Dan put his foot on the gas and took the next two to move into a 17-14 lead, surely it's all over now, Jase had other ideas, breaking and going for the clearance only to miss his penultimate ball, Dan stepped up and does what Dan does, taking all his balls to leave a black he would get 99 times out of 100 but this was the one time he missed, Jase stepped in and made it 17-15. The next frame was a bit messy but Dan went for the clearance, surely this was it, but he managed to snooker himself on the black, 17-16 it is. The next one becomes tactical and Jase manages to take it, so here we are after several months and 40 frames on the night, a decider to see who takes home the £1,000.
Dan has the break and as we all know, when the chips are down he's odds on to either dish or take control but as so often happens in situations like this, it's dry, Jase has first pop at them, can he take them, will Dan be runner up three years in a row? Jase goes for it and gets his first 5 but runs out of position, he then gets it safe. After several safety shots Dan finally creates an opening, a puff of the cheeks and he goes for it taking out a full set of 8 to take the main prize in a final that has everything.
The presentation saw Dan receive the trophy and £1,000, Jase the Runners up trophy and £550. Josh Rolfe was also presented with his Plate winners trophy and £100. Another great night and tournament.
Thanks must also go to the committee who run this event, it's not easy to get it right but with so many close games it can't of been far off, well done Dan Connell, Dave Rands, Dug McCall, James Stroud and Sam Jones.
Next up it's the Summer Slam, entries now being taken. Similar format, reduced entry fee, great value. Get your names in now. (Separate post to follow)
