On this week

Tom was a semi-finalist in the very first professional World Snooker Championship in 1927. He was also Welsh champion at billiards and a world billiards championship semi-finalist in 1928.

One of the eight founding members of the WPBSA, Bernard Bennett owned several snooker clubs in the Southampton area. He turned pro in 1968 and played on the tour until 1993-4, although he did also play in the 1995 World Championship. In all he only won five of his matches as a pro gaining a walkover in three others. Bernard died in January 2002.

31 August 1988 - FASTEST FRAME EVER

In the third round of the Fidelity Unit Trusts International at Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, Tony Drago won the fifth frame of his match with Danny Fowler 62-0 in just three minutes! This is the fastest frame ever recorded in professional snooker competition.

31 August 2002 - DING WINS WORLD JUNIOR TITLE

Ding Junhui won the IBSF World Under-21 Championship in Riga, Latvia, beating David John of Wales 11-9 in the final.

England's Michael Georgiou won the IBSF World Under-21 title in Goa, India, beating Anda Zhang of China 11-6 in the final. For the first time there was a Ladies' World Under-21 event which was won by Bi Zhuqing of China. She defeated Ng On Lee of Hong Kong 4-2.

Ronnie O'Sullivan added the Northern Ireland Trophy to his impressive list of ranking titles with a 9-3 victory over Dave Harold at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

Jamie Cope made his debut as a professional in the first qualifying round of the LG Cup at the Meadowside Centre, Burton-on-Trent. He beat Antony Bolsover 5-2.

In the opulent surroundings of London's RAC Club, Mark Williams won the Pot Black Cup beating John Higgins 119-13 in the final of this singe frame event. Mark's break of 119 in the final was the highest in the event's history.

John Parrott made his professional debut beating Paul Watchorn 5-0 in the qualifying rounds of the Professional Players Tournament at the Masters Club in Stockport.

In Helsinki, Quinten Hann won the IBSF World Under-21 Championship, beating David Gray 11-10 in the final.

Ronnie O'Sullivan won the Champions Cup at the Brighton Centre, beating Mark Williams 7-5 in the final. Mark had to be content with the runner-up prize for the second year running.

The first Liverpool Victoria Champions Cup was won by Stephen Hendry who beat Mark Williams 7-5 in the final at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. On this occasion it was winner-takes-all - so Hendry walked away with £175,000 and the rest left with nothing!