A TAVISTOCK snooker player has swept aside all comers to reach the all-England finals of the English Amateur Snooker Championships. Andy Simmons-Rowe, 22, produced fine snooker to reach his first national championship final, which was held at Woking Snooker Centre, winning his matches in 4-1, 4-1, 4-3, 4-1 and finally 5-0. He now goes on to meet David Grace, winner of the Northern region, in the finals. Andy said: ?It?s fantastic to finally achieve such a goal in a sport which I have played since I was a boy, when my dad would take me down to the local club to practise. ?I always thought that one day I would prove to myself I am good enough to compete against the very best in the amateur game. Now I have done this I believe I can go on to win the final of what most recognise as the blue ribbon event of the English amateur snooker calendar.? Andy said if he won the final, he would gain entry to the world and European amateur championships ? and gain the opportunity to represent his country in international matches later in the year. He paid tribute to his parents for their support and to his coach and mentor Roger Cole of the West of England Billiards and Snooker Foundation. Roger Cole said: ?Since Andy has become a member of our foundation he has gone from strength to strength ? his natural flair for the game and his ability is improving all the time. ?There are a lot of players who can play, but very few who achieve anything like what he has done. I have every confidence Andy can go on and turn his dream into reality by winning this illustrious championship.?
