Von Beaumont claims 11th title in dominant display

The 2025 Players Intermediate Snooker Championship reached its conclusion on Bank Holiday Monday May 5, with two seasoned finalists once again going head-to-head in the hotly anticipated showdown.

The final, played at St Mary’s Snooker Club Mullingar – the home of snooker in Westmeath and affiliated to Snooker & Billiards Ireland – saw 10-time Intermediate champion and current Westmeath No. 1, Stephen von Beaumont, face off against two-time winner and defending champion Peter Leung. The match referee was Club Treasurer Pat Donohoe, with Bradley Kane assisting on scoring duties.

Leung, who lifted the title last year with a win over Tony Cleary, was aiming for back-to-back victories. However, he was up against an in-form von Beaumont, who had already won the year’s previous Intermediate event and was seeking an 11th career title at this level. The Intermediate title is always tough to win and the two finalists had won multiple titles between them.

From the outset, von Beaumont set the tone with superb tactical play in Frame 1. A string of well-judged snookers behind the baulk colours repeatedly put Leung under pressure. Although Leung escaped several of these traps, he was often left exposed, allowing von Beaumont to capitalise with clinical potting. He wrapped up the opening frame 57-21 to take a 1-0 lead.

Leung responded strongly in Frame 2, improving in both potting and safety. A fine 20 break helped him edge in front on the colours, but an unfortunate double kiss on the brown left von Beaumont a difficult opportunity. The top seed seized the chance, cutting in the brown and clearing the remaining colours with a brilliant 22 clearance to steal the frame on the black, 76-63.

In Frame 3, von Beaumont continued his momentum, again dominating with composed and accurate snooker. Despite some resistance from Leung, frustration began to show after the narrow second-frame loss. Von Beaumont opened up another healthy lead and, needing only the brown, he duly delivered to close out the match with a 68-38 win and a 3-0 whitewash.

While Leung produced arguably his best performance in a final to date, he had no answer to von Beaumont’s superior safety play and scoring power on the day.

Final result: Stephen von Beaumont def. Peter Leung – 3-0.

(Frame scores: 57-21, 76-63, 68-38).

Tournament recap

Stephen von Beaumont’s victory means he has now won both Intermediate events in 2025 and adds an 11th title to his growing legacy on the circuit. Peter Leung finished runner-up, while Pat Donohoe and Mark Yeates reached the semi-finals.

Quarter-finalists included Bradley Kane, Niall Heffernan, Dave Cullen and Sean Slevin.

Quarter-Final results: Peter Leung (No. 1 seed) beat Bradley Kane (No. 8 seed) 3-1; Mark Yeates (No. 5 seed) beat Niall Heffernan (No. 4 seed) 3-0; Pat Donohoe (No. 6 seed) beat Dave Cullen (No. 14 seed) 3-0; Stephen von Beaumont (No. 2 seed) beat Sean Slevin (No. 4 seed) 3-2.

Semi-Final results: Peter Leung beat Mark Yeates 3-2; Stephen von Beaumont beat Pat Donohoe 3-0.

Presentation ceremony

Following the final, Club Treasurer Pat Donohoe presented the finalist’s voucher to Peter Leung and the championship cup to club president Stephen von Beaumont, crowning him the 2025 Players Intermediate Snooker Champion. Donohoe extended his thanks to all players who participated in what was the second Intermediate tournament of the year. Von Beaumont, who first won the title in 2022, continues to lead the Intermediate circuit with back-to-back victories in 2025.