The Billiards League Champions were Civil Service "A", with their "B" team runners-up, just one point behind. As 16 points are available in each match, only 13 points separated the top and bottom teams, proving that the floating handicap system—reducing by 5 points for a win, and increasing by 5 for a loss—is working well.
On the individual scene, Andy Norman, the 1999 English Amateur Snooker finalist and England team member, entered the two major billiards competitions. In the "senior" he defeated last year's winner, Chris Rowntree (ex-Teesside Boys' League), Derek Stephenson and Dave Lord in the semi-final. This brought him up against 10 times winner Eddie Pitts. At the interval Pitts was 140 points. After the interval, Norman changed his tactics, completely ignoring in-off's and cannons, concentrating entirely on potting. Although not "good billiards", it was very effective as he eventually ran out a worthy winner by 500 points to 468.
In the knock-out handicap final, Norman (owe 120) again came up against Dave Lord (owe 160). Norman, potting well, built up an early lead which he maintained for most of the game. However, Lord occupied the table for most of the last 15 minutes and eventually won by 150 points to 106.
In the team billiards competitions, the Sainsbury Cup was won by Salisbury “B” and the Intermediate Cup winners were Weston “B”. The highest break during the season was made by Eddie Pitts with 107.
At the combined AGM/Presentation at the Royal United Hospital SC, the newly elected President, Dan Elliott, presented the trophies to the winners and runners-up. Dan has been a member of the Bath League for many years and at the age of 88 years is still playing billiards and snooker regularly—and doesn't need glasses ! We wish him well in his new position.