THOUSANDS of pounds will be up for grabs next weekend as 18 talented pool players contest nine individual matches at 147 Snooker Club over three sessions.

The town centre venue will play host to Swindon’s first-ever Money Match Day from midday on Saturday, November 16.

Money Match Day is a new concept in pool, which sees players compete against an opponent in one game to win substantial levels of prize money.

Eight of Saturday’s nine matches will be the best of 37 frames, with winners picking up prize money ranging from £500 to £4,000.

Aaron Chilcott and Luke Stoneham will contest the day’s biggest pot at the start of the evening session, which gets under way at 8pm.

Ben Dalton and Ash Ruddick will play for £2,000, as will Dennis Hearne and Mandeep Jhinger.

Sponsored by Emerald Dry Lining, the evening is expected to be a popular attraction for local pool fans.

And organiser Karl Page, current Wiltshire County A captain, is relishing the prospect of Swindon hosting such a high-profile day of play.

Page said: “It’s quite a new concept in pool, but there’s a lot more money involved compared to tournaments.

“Pool has taken off massively in the last year or two, especially using black ball rules – which is what we play.

“It’s huge, especially in Swindon.

“It’s common for there to be a £4,000 pot, but not so much in our town.

“I’d like to thank our main sponsor, Emerald Dry Lining, for supporting the event.

“They have been great supporters of sporting events in the past throughout Swindon, from boxing events to charity golf afternoons.

“We’re happy to have them on board.”

The day’s first session starts at midday with the afternoon session scheduled to begin at 4pm.

A live DJ will be on hand throughout the competition too, with all games streamed live online.