Local snooker players Len Homenchuk and Bill McIntosh have just returned from the Canadian Snooker Championships. Both players did well, but were certainly looking for more in Montreal.
Homenchuk finished fourth in the senior men's event, while McIntosh failed to crack the final 16 in the open division.For Homenchuk, it was his 11th trip to the Canadian championships. This year marked his first trip back in 22 years. He qualified for the event by winning a tournament earlier this year.
He started out well, beating the defending champ 3-1 in the double knock-out event. He lost his second match and dropped down into the B-side, where he lost a close final match to the eventual champ.
"I'm certainly not too happy," he admitted. "Full credit to the winners, but I know I could have done much better. It was just one of those days when I just didn't have it."
He said it was an exciting atmosphere to be a part of and a great experience playing against top players in the country, but he knows in his heart he could have come out on top.
"I lost my focus during some key points and it cost me," he said. "Next year's Canadians are in Edmonton. I've already got the date penciled in on my calendar. I want to go and redeem myself. I know I can win - I know I can beat these guys."McIntosh earned his trip to Montreal after winning a qualifier in Richmond in April.
He competed in the open division against 31 other top players from across the country. A round robin was held, which brought the competition down to the final 16.
McIntosh missed the cut after losing three out of four matches.
Things started well as he won his first match 4-3 against the Ontario champion. He was narrowly defeated 4-3 in his next match, but things fell apart as he lost 4-0 in his last two matches.
"I'm disappointed because I'm competitive and I don't like to lose. But in saying that, when you play maybe one hour a week, it's tough to expect great results," McIntosh said. "It was a great experience. The guy I beat first was the heavy favourite. I beat the guy I probably shouldn't have and lost to players I should have beat. It was kind of weird. I had some tough luck and things just didn't go my way."
Like Homenchuk, McIntosh has the taste for top competition and wants to qualify for Edmonton next year in the hopes of a better finish. "I need to practice more and work on my game," he said. "I know I can play better."
