The world of snooker is buzzing with excitement as two major stories capture the attention of fans across the UK and beyond. On the local front, the WH Bond Liskeard and District Snooker League continues to deliver drama and surprises, while the global spotlight turns to Llandudno, Wales, where the 2026 Welsh Open is set to begin at Venue Cymru. With both grassroots and elite competition in full swing, this week offers a feast for snooker enthusiasts eager for upsets, record-breaking performances, and the rise of new talents.
Let’s start with the fiercely contested WH Bond Liskeard and District Snooker League, where recent results have shaken up the Premier Division standings. On February 22, 2026, Looe Social’s aspirations for a runners-up finish took a serious hit as they fell 4-1 at the hands of St Dominick B. Looe had arrived on a high, boasting back-to-back 5-0 victories, but history repeated itself as their struggles against St Dominick continued. Jerry Richards gave Looe an early lead by clinching the opening frame, but momentum quickly shifted. Darren Lock’s impressive 41 break had the visitors in pole position for the second frame, yet Martyn Searle’s 32 break saw him snatch it away, sparking a run as Peter Tancock, Adrian Olver, and Martin Hunn—who also notched a 32 break—reeled off the remaining frames. The win leaves St Dominick B just four points adrift in fifth place, keeping the chase for the top spots wide open.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Freathy remain third and only two points behind Looe Social. Simon Deacon contributed a solid 27 break but was edged out by Tim Treeby of Pelynt B, a crucial point in Pelynt’s battle to avoid relegation. St Neot, meanwhile, solidified their fourth-place standing with a commanding 4-1 win at Trewidland, while both Pelynt D and Pelynt A secured vital victories to stave off the threat of the drop. Pelynt D staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to defeat Lerryn 3-2, and at Calstock, Kevin Rich dazzled with breaks of 37 and 32 to help Pelynt A edge out the hosts 3-2. Chris Mitchell, playing his second frame due to the four-player rule, clinched the deciding frame against Malcolm Floyd, sealing the result.
Downderry A saw a moment of personal triumph as Nigel Doble claimed his first-ever frame in 22 seasons, defeating Andrew Pearce of St Dominick A. However, Downderry A’s joy was short-lived, as St Dominick A powered through the remaining frames for a 4-1 victory. Kevin Steed’s 31 clearance against Paul Woodman and Martin Pitcher’s win over Nigel Gilbert now see Pitcher leading the Most Wins on percentages, especially after Looe’s top two players both suffered defeats.
Turning to Division One, the league continues to showcase emerging talent and seasoned skill. Luckett’s Aldon Livingston improved his personal best with a superb 44 break, but the real story came from 14-year-old James Ivey. The teenager captured his first frame and, in doing so, secured the match for Polbathic B by defeating Andrew Pengelly. Olly Daw then wrapped up a 4-1 win for Polbathic B. Leaders Essa Club made a statement with a 5-0 whitewash of Polbathic A, extending their lead at the summit. Dobwalls, sitting in second, mounted a comeback from 2-1 down to edge Trevelmond 3-2, with Wayne Paffey holding his nerve to win the deciding frame on the black ball against Aiden Williams.
Lanreath’s promotion hopes suffered a setback with a narrow 3-2 loss to St Ive, while Liskeard Cons retained the Runabout Shield courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Downderry B, whose only winner was Alan Swabey. At Menheniot, Nigel Steed leveled the match at 2-2 against Joni Robertson, but a rare appearance by Nick Avis proved decisive for St Germans as he bested Mike Conbeer to seal a 3-2 win.
With the local league heating up, attention now shifts to the international stage as the 2026 Welsh Open kicks off at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. Running from Monday, February 23, through Sunday, March 1, the tournament promises a week of high-stakes snooker, broadcast live on BBC Two Wales and TNT Sports, with streaming options via BBC iPlayer and discovery+.
Mark Selby enters as the number one seed, fresh off last year’s victory over Stephen Maguire in a 9-6 final. Selby, a consistent force on the World Snooker Tour, will look to defend his crown against a formidable field. The in-form Zhao Xintong, Kyren Wilson, and home favorite Mark Williams are among the headline acts, joined by Welsh talents Jak Jones, Ryan Day, and Jackson Page. The tournament’s absence list is just as notable: Judd Trump has opted out, missing his chance at the £150,000 Home Nations Series order of merit bonus, while Ronnie O’Sullivan continues his break from UK tournaments after relocating to the Middle East.
Mark Allen currently leads the Home Nations Series order of merit, having captured the English Open title and reached the semi-finals of both the Northern Ireland Open and Scottish Open. With the Welsh Open serving as the final event in the series, Allen’s position at the top adds an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings.
The first round features a packed schedule, with matches including Jak Jones facing Liam Highfield, Mark Williams taking on Michael Holt, and Mark Selby opening his campaign against Jiang Jun. Other must-watch clashes include Zhao Xintong versus Fan Zhengyi, Kyren Wilson against Liu Hongyu, and homegrown star Jackson Page meeting Luca Brecel. The tournament’s format will see the second round played on Wednesday, February 25, the third round on Thursday, quarter-finals on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday, and the final showdown on Sunday, March 1.
Since its inception in 1992, when Stephen Hendry lifted the inaugural trophy, the Welsh Open has become a staple of the World Snooker Tour, renowned for its passionate crowds and dramatic moments. With a blend of established champions and rising stars, this year’s edition looks set to deliver more of the same.
As the WH Bond Liskeard and District Snooker League enters a crucial phase and the Welsh Open gets underway, snooker fans have plenty to savor. Whether it’s the grit and determination on display in local halls or the bright lights and high stakes of Llandudno, the beautiful game of snooker continues to captivate, inspire, and surprise. The coming days will reveal which players can hold their nerve, seize their moment, and etch their names into snooker history—stay tuned for every twist and turn.