CHRIS WARD SEMI FINALS The Bayley hosted the semi finals and Michael Mancini faced Matt Davies in the first of them. With both players showing the other respect, neither really got the usual fluid potting going. Matt's safety gave him the edge and a 25 break helped him clinch the first frame 77-40. The second was even closer and it was Michael that looked to be gaining the upper hand until an attempted safety on the green unluckily caught the far knuckle and stayed over the centre pocket invitingly for Matt. Matt duly obliged to see the frame out winning 65-44. Michael was clearly frustrated with his bad luck and runs of 23 & 24 helped Matt to clinch the third 61-15 to advance to the final 3-0. The second semi final was a different story altogether as Ian Duffy took on Lee Cross. Ian was in scintillating form as he compiled breaks of 31, 23 then 45 all in the first frame to run out a 99-4 victor. The second frame was a much tighter affair with the lead switching back and forth until Ian finally potted the black to snatch it 56-50. Encouraged by the closeness of the second frame it was Lee that started the better in the next, opening up a 16 point advantage. Ian played an attacking safety which opened the reds but left the cue ball tight on the top cushion. With Lee up against it he picked out a superb red to the middle, screwing off two cushions to get perfectly on the black. However he took his eye off the pot and rattled the black to give Ian his chance. He didn't need asking twice as he compiled a lovely 81 break but with all the colours on their spots and perfect on the yellow and a century clearance looking odds on, Ian somehow missed the yellow. Although disappointed about missing the century he took the frame 81-17 thus clinching a final berth 3-0. Congratulations to all for a great night of snooker