DARLEY DALE TOURNAMENT
Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale (25th November 2001)
The regular festival of professional billiards took place again at Darley Dale on Sunday 25th November. Three top professionals, Peter Gilchrist, Mike Russell and Chris Shutt were joined this year by EABA Chairman, Peter Shelley, who received 100 points start in the 50 minute games.
As usual for these events, play was of an exceptionally high standard. On this occasion, the big breaks started early as Peter Gilchrist knocked in a run of 226 at his first visit of the opening match against Chris Shutt. However, this was bettered by Mike Russell with 373, the highest of the day, against Peter Shelley in the very next game. Peter Shelley also lost his following match against Gilchrist who hammered in breaks of 156 and 150 against his amateur opponent. However, warming to the task in his third and last session, Shelley showed his class with 95 and 65 unfinished to run Chris Shutt to a close finish. But even adding these to his 100 points handicap, he could not catch the tall Teessider, who finished a 411-354 winner.
With Mike Russell producing a break of 205 to dispose of Chris Shutt, the destination of the winners trophy came down to the last match between Russell and Gilchrist. This could not have produced a more exciting finale. Russell established an early advantage with a break of 123 but Gilchrist gradually pulled this back, and with time running out, took a 57 point lead thanks to a contribution of 110. Russell responded with 94 to go in front again, but when he broke down Gilchrist played out time with 48 unfinished to secure an eleven point win.
| P. Gilchrist 226, 79, 66, 62 | 505 | (50.5) | C. Shutt 63 | 126 | (11.5) |
| M. Russell 373 | 480 | (53.3) | P. Shelley (rec.100) | 198 | (9.8) |
| P. Gilchrist 156, 150 | 385 | (35.0) | P. Shelley (rec.100) 51 | 313 | (21.3) |
| M. Russell 209, 106, 77 | 465 | (38.8) | C. Shutt 91 | 214 | (17.8) |
| C. Shutt 124, 121 | 411 | (31.6) | P. Shelley (rec.100) 95, 65 | 354 | (19.5) |
| P. Gilchrist 110, 59 | 294 | (32.7) | M. Russell 123, 94 | 283 | (31.4) |
The trophies and cheques were presented by Ken Shirley, who graced the Whitworth table in the early days of this tournament. He also won this event in 1985 and 1989 when Beetham, Close and Dagley were his opposition. Gilchrist received the Trustees Trophy and Royal Bank Trophy, while Russell received the Darley Trophy for his high break of 373.