By Josh Boileau
Hi everyone,
September was a pretty quiet month for me tournament wise but I was glad of it as I knew October until December would be busy for me.
My shoulder injury still hasn’t gone as of yet but another few sessions of Physio and I think I’ll be okay. Considering I’m back playing most days now I can’t really complain!
At the start of October I played in the third European Tour event of the season in Sofia, Bulgaria.
It was my third time to be there after playing in European amateur events previously so I’m very familiar with the place and it’s a favourite of mine too!
I had to come through two amateur qualifying matches to get into the first round proper and thankfully I did with 4-1 and 4-0 wins over two Belgians – Hans Blanckaert and Kristof Vermeiren.
I played Kyren Wilson in the first round and he went 1-0 in front with a steal on the last red.
Then in frames two and three I was 50 and 60 ahead and he cleared up twice to go 3-0 which was massive considering that score line could have been in my favour.
I won the fourth frame on the black to stay in it but missed a red in the next and he won the last quite comfortably.
I felt pretty good though and I could have easily won so I was able to take some positives away from the match.
I decided to not travel to Letterkenny for the first Irish senior event of the season for a few reasons.
Firstly, it would have cost roughly €250 just to go to the event and with me playing in the PTC so close beforehand I just couldn’t afford it.
Another reason was that RIBSA has decided to take 50% of the prize fund from every event to fund players travelling and representing their country at tournaments abroad.
I’m all for RIBSA trying to fund us going away for events which we all appreciate, seeing as most other countries don’t do this, but I just think 50% of the prize money is a bit much to some players that can win events but maybe don’t want to go abroad.
I’ll be playing in the rest of these events as they’re just down the road from me really in Carlow, and hopefully this situation can get resolved quickly and everyone who loves to play in these events will continue to compete.
My next event is the second senior at The Ivy Rooms in Carlow as I said and then I’ve got a money tournament in Fairview before I head off to India for the World Amateur Championship.
I’m playing almost every day now and I’m trying to prepare myself the best I can for India, which I’m really looking forward to.
Hopefully I can get a bit of sharpness and show some form before I go and if I do I think I’ve every chance of winning it!
All the best until next time.
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Follow Josh on Twitter: @Boileau147
