On Saturday 22nd January Cornwall hosted a match at Grants Snooker Club, St Austell, where they played against the Plymouth & District League. In addition to a five man billiard team, the match included an Under-21 Snooker team and a Senior Snooker team. The Cornwall Billiards team contributed a 4-1 win to an overall victory of 17-12 with the highest break coming from the home side's Noel Meagor who made a run of 92. In all, over eighty spectators, players and officials were present, making for a great atmosphere. The fixture between these teams was last played over 15 years ago.
On Wednesday 8th March at Western Power's Social Club, Bodmin, Charlie Gay (Redruth RBL) defeated Chris Mitchell (Dobwalls) 800- 529 to take the Cornwall Individual Billiards Championship. Charlie made the most of his scoring opportunities running in breaks of 56, 62, 91 and 99 against breaks of 42, 47 and 57 from Chris.
In his semi-final match against Roger Northcott (Dobwalls) at Probus Comrades' Club, Charlie had recorded the highest billiards break in the history of Cornwall's county competitions - a massive 201 - on his way to a convincing 650-249 victory. The break beats the previous highest of 189 made by Doug Thorncroft (Carharrack) 32 years ago, which in turn overtook Charlie Kemp's 184 made in the 1956/57 season. It was also a personal best for Charlie, and his first double-century. His previous highest came three years ago when he made a break of 192 in the Falmouth and District League.
In the other semi-final Chris Mitchell defeated last year's winner Dave White (Bude) 650-472. Mitchell made three breaks over 50 and White knocked in a break of 62.
Charlie received the Championship Cup from the Cornwall Billiards & Snooker Association President Mr Cecil Brown and received the Highest Break Cup for his record breaking effort of 201.
On Saturday 26th February Cornwall played The Mining Division League at Redruth. While the Senior and U-21 Snooker teams played at the Redruth RBL, the Billiard teams met at Redruth Gentleman's Club, with Cornwall winning 2-1. The overall result was Cornwall 11, The Mining Division 8. Billiards results as follows:
Mining Division names first: Phil Davey (Playing Place) 254, Chris Mitchell (Dobwalls) 146; Taylor Veal (St Ives) 162, Charlie Gay (Redruth RBL) 214 (62); Paul Matthews (Redruth BR) 126, Dave White (Bude Social Club) 364 (66,84).
Robert Marshall won the Cornwall Billiard Masters Tournament, defeating Dave White 310-151 in the final. Marshall made a total of three century breaks during the course of the event with a best of 135. Results. Semi Finals: Robert Marshall (63) 281, Bill Andress 154; Dave White (50) 227, Graham Ward 187. Final: Robert Marshall (83, 79, 53) 310, Dave White (68unf) 151.
On Saturday 25th March Cornwall played their annual match against Wessex at Grants Snooker Club, St Austell, winning the billiards by four games to two. Top break came for Wessex's Steve Warren who put together a run of 87 in his 418-138 win over Noel Meagor. Jack Masters also had a good break of 85, but still finished at the wrong end of a 296-278 scoreline against Dave White. Brian Harvey (Wessex) came out on top of the match between the two County Champions, a break of 54 by Charlie Gay was insufficient to avoid defeat by 39 points. This proved to be the last success for the Wessex team as Chris Mitchell and Geoff Lingard wrapped up victory for Cornwall by comfortably winning their matches.
Dobwalls defeated Looe Social Club 2-0 in the best of three 250up Team Billiards Final played at Menheniot on Tuesday 4th April. Chris Mitchell clinched the title for his team by winning a close match against Peter Booth. Trailing 210-202, Mitchell ran to game with an unfinished break of 48. In the first game, Alan Snell had defeated George Pengelly 250-80. Source: Derek Brooks. http://www.cornwallbilliardssnooker.fsnet.co.uk