SNOOKER fan Neil Allison and his mate Eddi Creswell have never missed a frame of the Australian Goldfields Snooker Open since it began three years ago.
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Neil and Eddi met at the first frame of the first game of the first session of the first tournament when they sat next to each other.
The pair struck up a conversation and have kept in touch ever since. They reunite each year for the Goldfields Open.
"We've sat together ever since that first day and kept in touch," Neil said.
"We just started talking about snooker and it kicked off from there."
Neil has played snooker for more than 35 years after first being taught how to play pool at university.
"I love the tactics of the game of snooker," he said.
"You have to think several shots or minutes ahead. It's a fantastic game for tactical minds more than anything.
"Ten per cent of the game is played on the table and about 90 per cent is in your head. I enjoy that side of it."
One of the most memorable games for Neil is the final of the inaugural Goldfields Open.
"When Stewart Bingham beat Mark Williams, that was a sensational match," he said.
"I loved the to-and-fro of it. Mark was the favourite to win and a former world no.1 while Stewart had never really broken through and was the underdog. The pressure they played under was amazing."
At this year's tournament, Neil fancied Ricky Waldon until he was knocked out on Friday.
"It would be nice to see Neil Robertson go one better than last year but (the final) will be a great match," Neil said.
