Can anyone dethrone Andy Foster?
With Pinfest just two short weeks away, I thought a quick tournament preview was in order – all opinions my own and should not be taken too seriously as ever…
The UK number 1 and current world number 43 Andrew “PUP” Foster @PUP remains a clear favourite for the upcoming Pinfest competitions – last year doing the double, and managing to win both Classics and Main competitions with a commanding display of skill and control in both finals.
However - the last year has seen the standard of play in the UK tournament scene rising, and many competitors will fancy their chances to qualify for the top 24 and playoffs, earning a chance to battle it out all the way to the final and take home the £1000 first place prize.
Let’s start with a rundown of some of the top challengers – starting with some of rest of the UK top 10:
Craig Pullen – UK rank 2, world rank 88 (@roadshow16)
Mr Pullen recently starred at both the World Championships, where he finished joint 20th, and also the European Championships (joint 40th) cementing his place as one of the very best players in the world. The 2021 Main event winner as ever will start as one of the favourites
Yuen Aw – UK rank 3, world rank 169
A relative pinball newbie last year – Aw returns with a full year of competitive pinball under his belt. He’ll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing European Championship showing and is perhaps rounding into form having won his last two tournaments in July - the 85 player Electric Circus Farewell as well as the Funland tournament the weekend before.
Matt Vince – UK rank 4, world rank 183 (@Matt Vince)
The Machine remains the dominating force of London pinball – quietly churning out result after result. Matt has already won an incredible ten competitions so far in 2023... Last year he came 2nd at Pinfest, knocking out Craig in a tough semi-final along the way. Can he go one better this year?
Josh Iles – UK rank 5, world rank 245
With his accurate shooting, strength on the modern Sterns and solid all around play, Josh has flown up the rankings in the last year – headlined by a massive 6th place at the European Championship Series final in Switzerland. He has clearly established himself now as a top contender in any tournament.
Peter Blakemore – UK rank 6, world rank 250 (@Moonraker)
The veteran Blakemore excels at head to head play on both classics and moderns – recently proving this yet again with a strong EPC showing, qualifying for the finals portion and finishing 56th out of 256 of the worlds best. Last year he was a surprising omission from the main comp top 24 – though he finished an excellent 3rd in the Classics.
David Tucker – UK rank 7, world rank 291 (@Tucks)
One of the UKs best control players – Tucks comes into Pinfest in top form, having also won his last two competitions – the PBR league in June and the PBR Fish fry Marathon, taking down almost 100 WPPRs. Another player with a strong chance, especially with Game of Thrones in the competition bank.
Greg Mott – UK rank 10, world rank 352 (@robotgreg)
A threat at every competition, Greg was one of last year’s UK Open stars, battling it out with Peter Andersen, Danielle Acciari and Julio Soriano in the final, finishing a stellar 4th overall. Greg will undoubtably qualify for the top 24 – can the Pushing Buttons author add another successful chapter to his career at Pinfest?
Other players to watch:
Brad Attwood @Itch – exploded onto the UK scene with a 3rd place last time out – the Phenom certainly has the skills to win it all.
Nick Marshall @mufcmufc – The number one qualifier last year and winner of two big tournaments already this year – the former world 49 and UK talisman will be keen to make a deeper run this year
Wayne Johns @Wayne J – In 2022 Wayne put on a scintillating display in the UK Open Classics 1 final to take down the tournament against a star studded international field. He’ll know these games inside out and no one will want to face him in the playoffs.
Rich Mallett @RuyLopez – a finalist in 2022, the flamboyant “Hammer” has not played much this year but clearly remains a significant force.
Will Dutton – the reigning UK pinball league champion doesn’t play many competitions, but when he does, look out. A strong contender for both classics and main.
Alan Budd @Buddinblack – Finished a stunning top 8 last year in his first ever tournament. It would not be a surprise to see him back in the later tournament stages again given his skill set.
Andy Brock @AndyB – the last person to outduel Andy Foster in a 3 game finals series in the UK? None other than “Brocktastic” – Andy Brock at Pinhaus in Nov 2022. Brock is more solid than spectacular at this stage of his career but if he reaches the top 24 he could spring a surprise.
Nathan Garwood @NateG119 – nicknamed “the Real Deal” for a reason, the high flying Garwood is possibly the best UK player yet to win a tournament. Is Pinfest 2023 the one?
The list of excellent players could go and on – no offense is meant if you are not included in the above – this is just a bit of fun.
The beauty of this Pinfest competition is that everyone has a chance to string 3 good games together and rise high in the qualification standings.
Last year, the popular Kris Gonzo @Gonzo shocked the UK pinball world by qualifying 13th overall after a great final game on Turtles with the Pinfest crowd cheering him on; perhaps even more impressive was talented junior Phoebe Lewell qualifying in 18th after a strong, consistent display on the classic games.
Who will spring a surprise this year?
If you’ve never tried a pinball competition before – this is a good one to get started with – as Paul @Wizcat mentions, everyone is really friendly and helpful. Why not give it a go? It’s basically only playing three games of your choice from the tournament bank by yourself, submitting your scores and then comparing them against everyone else to see how you’ve done.
It should be another immense weekend at Pinfest coupled with exciting tournament action. Great times ahead for everyone, see you in two weeks!
With Pinfest just two short weeks away, I thought a quick tournament preview was in order – all opinions my own and should not be taken too seriously as ever…
The UK number 1 and current world number 43 Andrew “PUP” Foster @PUP remains a clear favourite for the upcoming Pinfest competitions – last year doing the double, and managing to win both Classics and Main competitions with a commanding display of skill and control in both finals.
However - the last year has seen the standard of play in the UK tournament scene rising, and many competitors will fancy their chances to qualify for the top 24 and playoffs, earning a chance to battle it out all the way to the final and take home the £1000 first place prize.
Let’s start with a rundown of some of the top challengers – starting with some of rest of the UK top 10:
Craig Pullen – UK rank 2, world rank 88 (@roadshow16)
Mr Pullen recently starred at both the World Championships, where he finished joint 20th, and also the European Championships (joint 40th) cementing his place as one of the very best players in the world. The 2021 Main event winner as ever will start as one of the favourites
Yuen Aw – UK rank 3, world rank 169
A relative pinball newbie last year – Aw returns with a full year of competitive pinball under his belt. He’ll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing European Championship showing and is perhaps rounding into form having won his last two tournaments in July - the 85 player Electric Circus Farewell as well as the Funland tournament the weekend before.
Matt Vince – UK rank 4, world rank 183 (@Matt Vince)
The Machine remains the dominating force of London pinball – quietly churning out result after result. Matt has already won an incredible ten competitions so far in 2023... Last year he came 2nd at Pinfest, knocking out Craig in a tough semi-final along the way. Can he go one better this year?
Josh Iles – UK rank 5, world rank 245
With his accurate shooting, strength on the modern Sterns and solid all around play, Josh has flown up the rankings in the last year – headlined by a massive 6th place at the European Championship Series final in Switzerland. He has clearly established himself now as a top contender in any tournament.
Peter Blakemore – UK rank 6, world rank 250 (@Moonraker)
The veteran Blakemore excels at head to head play on both classics and moderns – recently proving this yet again with a strong EPC showing, qualifying for the finals portion and finishing 56th out of 256 of the worlds best. Last year he was a surprising omission from the main comp top 24 – though he finished an excellent 3rd in the Classics.
David Tucker – UK rank 7, world rank 291 (@Tucks)
One of the UKs best control players – Tucks comes into Pinfest in top form, having also won his last two competitions – the PBR league in June and the PBR Fish fry Marathon, taking down almost 100 WPPRs. Another player with a strong chance, especially with Game of Thrones in the competition bank.
Greg Mott – UK rank 10, world rank 352 (@robotgreg)
A threat at every competition, Greg was one of last year’s UK Open stars, battling it out with Peter Andersen, Danielle Acciari and Julio Soriano in the final, finishing a stellar 4th overall. Greg will undoubtably qualify for the top 24 – can the Pushing Buttons author add another successful chapter to his career at Pinfest?
Other players to watch:
Brad Attwood @Itch – exploded onto the UK scene with a 3rd place last time out – the Phenom certainly has the skills to win it all.
Nick Marshall @mufcmufc – The number one qualifier last year and winner of two big tournaments already this year – the former world 49 and UK talisman will be keen to make a deeper run this year
Wayne Johns @Wayne J – In 2022 Wayne put on a scintillating display in the UK Open Classics 1 final to take down the tournament against a star studded international field. He’ll know these games inside out and no one will want to face him in the playoffs.
Rich Mallett @RuyLopez – a finalist in 2022, the flamboyant “Hammer” has not played much this year but clearly remains a significant force.
Will Dutton – the reigning UK pinball league champion doesn’t play many competitions, but when he does, look out. A strong contender for both classics and main.
Alan Budd @Buddinblack – Finished a stunning top 8 last year in his first ever tournament. It would not be a surprise to see him back in the later tournament stages again given his skill set.
Andy Brock @AndyB – the last person to outduel Andy Foster in a 3 game finals series in the UK? None other than “Brocktastic” – Andy Brock at Pinhaus in Nov 2022. Brock is more solid than spectacular at this stage of his career but if he reaches the top 24 he could spring a surprise.
Nathan Garwood @NateG119 – nicknamed “the Real Deal” for a reason, the high flying Garwood is possibly the best UK player yet to win a tournament. Is Pinfest 2023 the one?
The list of excellent players could go and on – no offense is meant if you are not included in the above – this is just a bit of fun.
The beauty of this Pinfest competition is that everyone has a chance to string 3 good games together and rise high in the qualification standings.
Last year, the popular Kris Gonzo @Gonzo shocked the UK pinball world by qualifying 13th overall after a great final game on Turtles with the Pinfest crowd cheering him on; perhaps even more impressive was talented junior Phoebe Lewell qualifying in 18th after a strong, consistent display on the classic games.
Who will spring a surprise this year?
If you’ve never tried a pinball competition before – this is a good one to get started with – as Paul @Wizcat mentions, everyone is really friendly and helpful. Why not give it a go? It’s basically only playing three games of your choice from the tournament bank by yourself, submitting your scores and then comparing them against everyone else to see how you’ve done.
It should be another immense weekend at Pinfest coupled with exciting tournament action. Great times ahead for everyone, see you in two weeks!
Not all good players have world ranking points especially if you live far away from tournaments. 
Just watch out for me - especially if I stay sober 
Nice write up mate I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. See you in a couple of weeks!!!
