Canovan Wins Maiden Q Tour Title in Auckland
Mark Canovan defeated Joseph Conchie 5-2 to win the first WPBSA Q Tour title of his career at the Papatoetoe Club in Auckland, New Zealand.
The 54-year-old came through a field of 45 cueists on home soil to win the event, known as the New Zealand Open Championship, which was organised by the New Zealand Billiards & Snooker Association (NZBSA). Canovan joins Australia’s Vinnie Calabrese in the winner’s circle of the 2026/27 Q Tour Asia-Pacific series so far.
Four straight victories without the loss of a frame saw Canovan advance from the group stages where he then registered back to back 4-1 wins over John Lokeni and Paul Van der Straten.
Canovan had reached the final of the event last year and booked a return appearance in the title match by winning the last three frames of a semi-final match against compatriot Sam Travis.
There he would face Conchie, after the 25-year-old had overcome defending champion Cody Turner in the last four.
A break of 81, Canovan’s highest of the event, saw him take the opener and he moved 2-0 ahead with a contribution of 30 in the next.
Conchie was able to restore parity by taking the next two frames but Canovan then pulled away and got over the line as a 5-2 victor to win his maiden Q Tour crown.
Event three of the Q Tour Asia-Pacific series will take place on 31 July-2 August in Albury, Australia. Entries close on 23 July – enter now.
