RSA 8-Ball's turn away popular

Matt McInnes of Tokoroa at last year's tournament.

Once again the Wanganui RSA's annual 8-Ball Open has had to be capped in numbers this weekend after another large demand to play the popular tournament.

Convener Dallas Rodgers received 113 entries for the two-day tournament, but has capped it at 75, ten less than the record field of 85 entries last year.

However, the 2016 event did not have to compete with the New Zealand Masters Games, and while several people usually plan to do both while they are in Whanganui, Rodgers had to guarantee everyone who entered would not pull out when they found no accommodation available in town, leaving gaps in the draw.

Therefore, first priority went to players Rodgers could trust to have themselves sorted out, he said.

"They know to book early. Those you can't rely on, they leave it to the last minute.

"When they rung in, the phone just goes mad."

The 2015 tournament, which also competed with Masters Games, had numbers capped at 70 despite receiving 94 entries.

To get through the draw, competition started last night with around 20-25 of the players beginning their sections, in groups of five.

It will continue today with the qualifiers, to be followed by the plate and championship finals on Sunday.

The championship game usually begins around 5pm, defending on other matches.

Last year's winner was Queenstown's Simon Singleton, who had also previously won the title, and defeated defending champion Matt McInness of Tokoroa in the final.