TWO of Jersey’s finest cueists are travelling across the globe to Mauritius to compete in the Commonwealth Billiards Championship.
Andy Stentiford and Linda Maider are flying the Jersey flag halfway across the world competing against the Commonwealth’s best billiard players.
The event begins today at The Ravenala Attitude Resort in Balaclava, Mauritius. Held by the World Pool Association, players from all corners of the globe will be competing in several events.
Stretching over a five-day period, the beautiful island of Mauritius promises to host some incredible talent.
The tournament is comprised of four events: snooker, heyball, blackball and 10-ball. While both Stentiford and Maider are impressive pool players, this week they are trying their hand at a new format with ten-ball.
With India, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Cyprus, and many more countries bringing their best, the competition will be high.
Stentiford is aware of the level at which he will be competing over the long tournament: “I’m going in confident, because you have to have confidence to play the game. But I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be tough with the level of opposition that we are competing against.”
“10-ball isn’t my main cue sport. I usually play standard pool – reds and yellows – but being a natural cueist, I can adapt and use my transferable skills to compete in any cue sport.”
Stentiford’s pool ability is second-to-none. Having proved his worth by reaching the last 16 of the pool world championships, he has belief in his ability to be able to compete at this level: “I’ve got my goals. I’d love to get a medal which would be winning three matches to get to that point.”
“But when you look at the standard of players, and how long they’ve been playing for, these guys are masters at the game. So, of course, I don’t want to be overconfident, but also you can’t go there and expect to be beat.”
With little time to prepare due to a late call-up, Stentiford is delighted with the opportunity: “I got a phone call from the organiser just four weeks ago and he asked if I would be interested in coming to Mauritius to play.”
“I’ve not had very long to prepare, but for any cue sport enthusiast this is the pinnacle, going halfway across the world to play in a pool tournament representing Jersey is just what dreams are made of.”
The Jersey pair have known each other for 20 years. Maider, a veteran of the sport, helped Stentiford develop as a youth in the pool scene.
Stentiford can’t wait to represent the Island with his mentor: “Linda was someone that I used to look up to in the game, because she is a really good pool player.”
“I came through the juniors and she has always guided me in the right direction, and then, here we are, 20 years later and representing Jersey in the men’s and women’s section, so it’s really nice.”
