Daryl Peach (Photo by John Yee)


By NYC Grind Contributor, Geoff Conway “Pool Junkie”

Friday saw the last 32 players in the World Pool Masters fighting to stay in the event, as it gets near to the TV matches that are awaiting the surviving 16 players, which will be played on all weekend the weekend.* Click here to view the photo gallery from Day 3 of the event, photos by John Yee.

Well some of them failed in their fight, as we saw with defending Masters Champion, Darren Appleton (England) who was cruising along very nicely against Oliver Ortmann (Germany), when he lost his focus for a split second. Darren was 7-4 up and running out rack twelve when he over cut the 4 ball into the side pocket, attempting to go come of the bottom cushion to return for the five ball on the opposite end rail.

This little mistake would cost him the match, as Oliver quickly took the score line to 9-7, not allowing Darren to put another game on the wire. To say Darren was upset would be an understatement, and fans were advised not to ask him for his autograph as he left the playing arena.

Oliver now will be matched up against fellow German Thorsten Hohmann in the next round, in the final 16. Ortmann said that he was very happy to have won the match against Darren, but admitted to not being on his best game.



Next up, we had Jayson Shaw, the 21-year-old from Scotland, has not won any big events up to this point, but is known for his strong determination and heart, and is definitely not afraid of anyone. As was witnessed by his win over Lee Van Corteza in his last match.

Well, Jayson who was matched up against the mighty Dennis Hatch, who had been touted to take down this event. Well I guess Jayson did not get the message, as he ceremonially took Dennis out of the tournament, and now plays Roberto Gomez in his next match in the last 16. This kid certainly has attitude, but whether that is enough to get him to the winners podium we will have to wait and see.

Jayson said “…that has been my biggest achievement to date, and cannot I wait to get into my next match.” He also told me “I do not fear any player and do not care who I play, I know I can beat any opponent.” Wow, I see a young man on a mission here!

John Schmidt (USA) moved through to the last 16 with a hill hill win over Jason Klatt (Canada). John will play John Morra in his next match.

John was not happy with how he was breaking, and admitted that it was something he would have to work on if he wanted to progress any further in the event.

John Schmidt (Photo by John Yee)


Raj Hundal beat Ernesto Dominguez to get through to the last 16, and is matched up against Dennis Orcollo in his next match in the last sixteen which will take place on the TV table on Friday evening.

Reigning World 9-ball Champion Daryl Peach (England was matched up against the recently crowned World 8-ball Champion Karl Boyes (England), but Daryl did not take long to stamp his authority on this match, and the writing was on the wall even when the score was 5-2 in Daryl’s favor.

Daryl was always in charge in this match and is looking very strong as always and should be considered one of the fore runners in this event to take down the title. Only time will tell. Daryl now faces Toru Karibayashi (Japan) in his next last 16 match, which will be played around 4:00 pm on Saturday.

“I know that I can win this event, I have already won the World 9-ball Championship, and more recently the Team World Championship in Germany in February and have won two out of four on the Euro Tour this year, and in England I have gone two for two on the GB9 Tour. So I am feeling good about my game, but the opposition is strong, so we will have to see how it pans out,” said Peach.

Rodney Morris got the better over Mark Gray (England) 9-7, with Rodney having Mark down 5-1, but Mark rallied to 6-6 and while running out rack 13 he got the wrong side of the 8 ball, he elected to draw of the 8, and come off the bottom rail to get back on the 9 ball which was on the top rail. Well unfortunately for Mr. Gray, there is a hole in the side of the table called a pocket, and the cue ball found it.

This stopped his challenge immediately, and Rodney soon took down the match. Rodney has a tough match in his upcoming last 16 match against Thomas Engert, who is a two-time Masters Champion. Thomas ended Johnny Archer’s run in his last match.

Rodney Morris (Photo by John Yee)


“I am not playing well, and should have won this match earlier, but I am happy to be were I am at the moment. I have not been playing in that many tournaments, but I am trying my best… we will have to see what happens,” said Rodney.

Last 32 Results

Raj Hundal (IND) 9-6 Ernesto Dominguez (USA)
Marcus Chamat (SWE) 7-9 Dennis Orcollo (PHI)
Rafael Martinez (MEX) 7-9 John Morra (CAN)
John Schmidt (USA) 9-8 Jason Klatt (CAN)
Stevie Moore (USA) 8-9 Ricky Yang (INA)
Do Hoang Quan (VIE) 7-9 Ralf Souquet (GER)
Dennis Hatch (USA) 5-9 Jayson Shaw (SCO)
Roberto Gomez (PHI) 9-4 Huidji See (NED)
Naoyuki Oi (JAP) 9-5 Evgeni Novosad (UKR)
Lo Li-Wen (TPE) 8-9 Charlie Williams (USA)
Karl Boyes (ENG) 4-9 Daryl Peach (ENG)
Kuo Po Cheng (TPE) 3-9 Toru Kuribayashi (JAP)
Rodney Morris (USA) 9-7 Mark Gray (ENG)
Thomas Engert (GER) 9-6 Johnny Archer (USA)
Darren Appleton (ENG) 7-9 Oliver Ortmann (GER)
Thorsten Hohmann (GER) 9-5 Niels Feijen (NED)

Friday Night Last 16 Matches

Raj Hundal (IND) v Dennis Orcollo (PHI)
John Morra (CAN) v John Schmidt (USA)
Ricky Yang (INA) v Ralf Souquet (GER)

Click here to view the online brackets on AZbilliards.com.

Stay on the NYC Grind to keep up with the progress of the final stages of the World Pool Masters.* NYC Grind’s coverage of all the action in Vegas is sponsored by Poison Billiards.

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