Oliver Lines wins 2024 Pink Ribbon charity pro-am snooker event

Open to all, the unique four-day tournament - that has raised over £100,000 for breast cancer charities down the years - was making a welcome return following an absence of five years with Landywood being the new host venue. For more about the history of the Pink Ribbon, visit here.

There were over 300 entries for the competition which featured a £12,000 prize fund. A plethora of superstar names entered including current Scottish and Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson, former World Champion Stuart Bingham, and newly crowned World Champion Kyren Wilson. Bingham was the defending champion having clamed the Pink Ribbon title the last time it was played in 2019. The professional players came into the event at the last 64 stage.

29-year-old Lines defeated Aaron Canavan, Aaron Hill, Gary Thomson, Chris Wakelin and then Allan Taylor 4-2 in the semi-finals (with breaks of 74 and 56) to reach the title match.

On the other side of the draw, three-time ranking event semi-finalist Slessor denied Halim Hussain and Sanderson Lam in his opening two matches. Despite losing the tie, Lam made a maximum 147 break - his first in competitive play. Slessor then eliminated Wayne Brown, Barry Pinches, and Stuart Bingham 4-2 in the last four with the help of runs of 76 and 58.

The opening two frames of the best-of-seven final were shared; a 52 aided Slessor to retake the lead with frame three although Lines levelled again as he compiled a 127 in frame four.

Slessor went back in front at 3-2 and was very close to the trophy in frame six but Lines took it on the final black to force the contest all the way.

In the deciding frame, Lines slotted in a nice opening red and went on to produce a break of 73 to leave his opponent needing penalty points. Slessor returned to the table, but Lines later potted a long red to finish the tie and collect the £4,000 first prize.