On cue to back exhibition match

Monday 21st September 2009, 12:48PM BST.

TWO titans of world snooker have put on an exhibition match for their fans, backed by a Telford firm.

Former six-time World Championship finalist and fan favourite, Jimmy White, played world number 20 and current Shanghai Masters champion, Ricky Walden, in an event sponsored by Telford-based Premium Group.

The opportunity to back the one-off exhibition match came about because one of the Premium Group companies, Oak Travel, has a long-standing relationship with Ricky Walden’s manager, Lee Gorton.

The event, which also saw fans given the chance to take on Jimmy “The Whirlwind” White, took place at The Q Bar, in Chester, which Ricky Walden part owns and which has been recently re-opened following refurbishment.

Nick Phipps, director of Oak Travel, explained: “Ricky’s manager is a longstanding client and we’ve been involved with their travel arrangements for quite some time, so it was a pleasure for us to be involved and support Ricky in this event at the newly re-opened Q Bar.

“It proved to be a great evening with some impressive snooker played!”

The night also proved a treat for one Shropshire snooker fan, as Paul Williams, from Ellesmere, was one of only four people who got the opportunity to take on The Whirlwind – and Paul was the only one who won, albeit with a little help from his hero!

View more: Shropshire Business news, Snooker news.