EPSB Open Series Came to Woking in 2022 – a First…

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Labeeb Ahmed claimed the first English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards Open Series event of 2022/23 hosted for the first time at Woking Snooker Centre in Surrey.

🏆 CHAMPION | Congratulations to Labeeb Ahmed on winning the first EPSB Open Series event of the season!

Ahmed ousted Billy Castle 3-2 in the final at the Woking Snooker Centre.

📋 Results: https://t.co/lWcV20CnsE #EPSBOpenSeries 🔴 pic.twitter.com/OT46WjPgSB

— English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (@EPSBofficial) October 1, 2022

The 32-year-old played former professional player Billy Castle in the final who on route to the final made the highest break of the day, a 101.

SnookerZone popped down there to watch a bit of the action during the day as 20 runners were in the race for the title.

Woking had a handful of its own players in the draw, including Gavin Bolsover and Ryan Mears (pictured) who played Billy Castle in round 1.

There was a mixture of talents on show including the likes of Cuestars founder John Hunter, who played one of the Cuestars Under 21 stars Oliver Sykes.

SnookerZone had the pleasure of watching that match-up and witnessed a great 60 break from Sykes (pictured) who could have cleared the pink and black but missed the pink with the rest on 60. It was a close-fought match in the end as Sykes came out a 3 – 2 winner.

From the EPSB website about the Open Series:

🔴 Remember, we’ve got two more Open Series events tomorrow at Stratford Sports Club (Stratford-upon-Avon) and Tradewell Snooker Club (Hull).

You can enter on the day and pay with cash up until 9.45am.#EPSBOpenSeries pic.twitter.com/ncz2KLOyZ8

— English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (@EPSBofficial) October 1, 2022

The EPSB Series is open to all, regardless of playing status or nationality. Entry into an EPSB Open Series event is £20. You can enter advance and pay via snookerscores.net, or on the day with cash. You do not need to be an EPSB member in order to enter.

Over 340 players took part in the EPSB Open Series during its inaugural season which featured an eclectic mix of current professionals, budding amateurs and local club players.

Youngster Ryan Davies won an incredible nine Open Series events and was the runaway number one in the rankings.

Along with Woking Snooker Centre, the Crucible Newbury, London Snooker (East Acton), Stratford Sports Club venues are all scheduled to hold EPSB Open Series events for the first time in 2022/23.

The EPSB will once again award free Q School places for those at the top of the Open Series rankings at the end of the season – providing they do not already have a WST card for the 2023/24 professional campaign.

There is already a guarantee of two free Q School places on offer. The top-ranked player will earn one of the places, whilst the next 16 ranked eligible players will take part in a playoff event which will be held and sponsored by the Tradewell Snooker Club in Hull (date to be arranged).