Tommy Coulton Invitation Billiards Tournament

South Bank St. Peters Club, Middlesbrough

Tuesday 4th & 11th July 2000 - All games one hour

The first of the Teesside Pro-Am events took place at the South Bank St. Peter's Club, in Middlesbrough on Tuesday 4th July. Eight of the region's best Amateur players competed in one hour games to determine which of them would progress to meet professional opposition the following week. Using both of the Club's tables, the outcome was as follows:

Lee Lagan 225, 77, 48	450		Simon Snee 45	142
T. Mackinder 80, 76, 46	382		Robin Wilson	122
Darren Kell 155, 75, 40	372		Jeff McKeown	122
Geoff Charville 42, 44	279		Lee Connor	105

Simon Snee was well in touch with the English No.1, Lee Lagan, for the first 35 minutes of their match, at which time they were separated by less than 10 points. Lagan then made a run of 77 and followed this at his next visit by a magnificent break of 225, which settled the match.

The 1999 CIU Champion Tony Mackinder, put up a great performance on the notoriously tight St.Peter's "billiard" table. Robin Wilson played well below his best and never threatened Mackinder who cruised to an easy win.

After early breaks of 40 and 155 Kell always looked in control of his match against Jeff McKeown. A late run of 75 in the last 10 minutes when the game was already secure, completed a fine performance from the current CIU Champion.

Geoff Charville was always scoring better than Lee Connor and drawing steadily away was never threatened. Connor, who was English U-16 Champion in 1986, had particular difficulty with the accuracy required on the Peter's "billiard" table, many attempts narrowly failing with the ball "rattling" the pocket.

Peter Gilchrist (World No.3), David Causier (No.4) and Chris Shutt (No.5) were joined by rookie professional Paul Bennett to provide formidable opposition for the four Amateur qualifiers. They contested the final stages on 11th July 2000, again playing one-hour games, with the professionals conceding 150 points.

P. Gilchrist 116, 101, 77	465		Tony Mackinder (rec.150)	264
C. Shutt 110, 99, 80, 61	453		Lee Lagan (rec.150) 121, 50	382
G. Charville (rec.150) 68	351		David Causier 58, 50	332
D. Kell (rec.150) 64, 51	419		Paul Bennett 76	219

Peter Gilchrist had things entirely his own way in the first quarter- final, as Tony Mackinder failed to produce the form he had shown in the qualifying stages. Two century breaks from the professional completed an easy win.

Chris Shutt with breaks of 99 and 80 quickly cancelled out the 150 points start he was conceding to Lee Lagan. However, Lagan came back with a break of 50 which saw him back in front at 254-227. At this stage Shutt produced a run of 110, only for Lagan to respond at his next visit with 121, the highest of the match. Thereafter the game remained close until the end, but Shutt made fewer mistakes in the closing stages and went through by 71 points.

Charville and Causier both found it hard going on the club "billiard" table. However, with 20 minutes remaining Causier had eased past his opponent's score and looked poised to take a comfortable victory. However, Charville, under extreme pressure, then put together a carefully crafted run of 68 to give him an unassailable lead of 65 with just a few minutes remaining. Causier made a bold attempt to close the gap, but his reply was terminated at 46 by the bell.

There was great interest in the appearance of Paul Bennett as little has been seen of him on Teesside since he turned professional at the start of last season. However, it was a disappointing performance by him as he never looked like pulling back the 150 points start he was giving to the CIU Champion, Darren Kell. After 40 minutes Kell was still 170 in front and a break of 64 at this stage made sure of the match. Kell eventually winning by 200 points—50 more than his concession!

Chris Shutt 361, 77	567		Darren Kell(rec.150) 52	365
G. Charville(rec.150) 67	384		P. Gilchrist 152	290

Chris Shutt settled his semi-final match at a very early stage as he put together a magnificent run of 361, surely a record for the St. Peters' "billiard" table. Kell, to his credit, never gave up the chase and produced a string of useful breaks, the best of which was 52. However, it was always a hopeless task and a further break of 77 by Shutt ensured a 200 point victory.

Geoff Charville played an intelligent game which ensured that the opportunities for Peter Gilchrist were few and far between. With the ex-World Champion making little impression, a break of 67 extended Charville's lead to over 200 after 30 minutes. At this point Gilchrist produced a fine run of 152, but still 56 in arrears with 15 minutes remaining, he was unable to secure the opening he needed and Charville went away again to win by 96 points.

Geoff Charville(rec.150)

380

Chris Shutt 94, 91

346

Charville started brightly with a 33 break at his first visit followed by another of 32 shortly afterwards. However, these were to be his best contributions as Shutt closed the deficit and swept into the lead with consecutive runs of 91 and 94. With 30 minutes remaining, this was beginning to look like a formality. But, as with his match against Causier, Charville again fought back to hold the World No.5. In a tense finish, it was Charville who looked the more composed of the two as he played a fine tactical game to complete a memorable victory by 34 points.

Charville, modestly played down his performance, commenting, "I didn't think I played very well, but they kept leaving me chances!" He collected the winner's cheque of £200, whilst Chris Shutt, who won the event last year, received £140. This included £40 for his high break of 361 in the semi-finals. Proportionate prize money went to all the players on the night.

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