ENGLISH AMATEUR BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

Final Stages - Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale

Sunday 3rd March & 16th - 17th March 2002

Lee Lagan marked the end of his Amateur career by retaining the English Championship title on Sunday 17th March. Lagan has already had his application for professional status accepted by the WBA and intends to make his debut in the World Championship which will commence a month after his showing at Darley Dale. On the evidence of his performances throughout the Amateur Championship, he can be expected to make an immediate impression.

Lagan's improvement this season has been nothing short of amazing. From a highest competitive break of "only" 366 which he made at the start of last season, it is now something of a disappointment if he doesn't reach the triple century in every match! He has been practising intensely with David Causier at the local Ironopolis club in Middlesbrough, and holding his own against such an impressive opponent has given him real confidence in his own abilities.

Last 32

Playing in the last 32 qualifying group at Bradford, Lagan produced a performance which has never been equalled in the Championship. In the first of his three 90 minutes games he fashioned a string of big breaks to secure a 793-210 victory over Ronnie Haigh, including runs of 196 and 183. Warming to his task, in his next game he unleashed a sequence of 301 (23 minutes), 507 (32 minutes) and 68 to beat Paul Dunning 980-159 with a match average of 89.1 After a 30 minute intermission he moved to his third different table and opponent, to finish the day with another massive break of 508, defeating Alan Edmonds, son of ex-World Professional Champion Ray Edmonds. Additional contributions of 93, 175 and 122 unfinished by Lagan helped to produce a final score of 989-243 in this match and an average of 76.1 Edmonds was heard to comment as he left the table after the match "It was a privilege to watch". This feeling was undoubtedly shared by all those fortunate enough to have been at Bradford that day.

Although Lagan's 508 fell short of the 566 made by Chris Shutt in the final of the 1996 Amateur Championship, the achievement of making a 500+ break in two consecutive sessions has never been bettered by any of the great Amateur Champions who have gone before him.

The other Group at Bradford was reduced to three players when Neal Rewhorn failed to appear and Phil Davis produced a sound performance to go through undefeated with David Rees taking the remaining place by defeating Teesside's Michael Donnelly.

Cuedos, Bradford

The qualifying groups at Lincoln produced a surprise when last year's finalist, Darren Kell, failed to progress any further in the competition. Finding Peter Shelley in top form, he lost his first match by almost 200 points despite making the top break of the match with 120. This result proved to be crucial. With Shelley unable to maintain the same standard against Matthew Sutton, his loss in this match set up a three-way tie for the group with Shelley and Sutton going through on points difference.

Dave Nichols, who has also expressed his intention to turn professional after the English Championship, produced a solid performance to go through Group B undefeated. David Burgess also looked good, failing only against Nichols and going through as runner-up.

Breaks SC, Lincoln

We erroneously reported in the last issue that Stephen Kershaw qualified for the last 32 draw as one of the best runners-up in the Yorkshire region. In fact this position was taken by Branson Hoole who went forward to compete successfully in the groups at Pockets in Kidderminster. He was involved in a three-way tie in his group, going through on aggregate score along with Stephen Crosland. The unlucky player to miss out was Geoff Lingard.

In the second group, Brian Harvey came through undefeated while Bob Patterson edged out Tony James to take the second qualifying spot. In their deciding heat, Patterson had won by just seven points!

Pockets, Kidderminster.

Steve Brookshaw had the highest break of the day at Nuneaton with a run of 115 in his first match against Dennis Marr, but he could not sustain his bright start, subsequently losing to Phil Welham and Robin Wilson, who progressed as group winner and runner-up respectively. Wilson made the only other century of the day with 109.

Richard Lodge was undefeated in Group B albeit scraping a narrow seven point victory over Jim McCann who qualified as runner-up. This being his only loss.

Atack SC, Nuneaton

Last 16 (4 hrs)

NE Derbyshire SC, Clay Cross

The last sixteen competitors moved to a straight knock-out competition with four-hour matches, this round being held at the North-East Derbyshire SC, Clay Cross on Saturday 2nd March.

Matthew Sutton probably produced the biggest shock of the day when he defeated Robin Wilson. These two players may still only be in their teens, but they have already established a long-standing rivalry in their contests for Junior titles. Wilson started as a strong favourite, based mainly on his brilliant showing in the event last year, but it was Sutton who rose to the occasion and with four centuries edged out the current Under-19 Champion by just 85 points.

Lee Lagan eased past Richard Lodge with a triple century break (375) and three other centuries, also putting up the best four-hour aggregate of the round with 1769. Although some distance behind, Lodge's total of 987 was still the highest losing score of the day.

Jim McCann, who has been having a great season this year managed to achieve the ambition of playing on home turf for the first time since the closing stages were moved to the Whitworth Institute in Daley Dale. He overcame Paul Dunning, who has also been showing good recent form, by 1009-608.

Quarter-finals (4 hrs)

Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale

McCann's delight at being able to display his skills at his home club was tempered by being drawn against the formidable Lee Lagan in the quarter-finals. In an awesome display of scoring power, Lagan put together no less than three double-centuries and five further "tons" in a huge four-hour total of 2,183.

Stephen Crosland had a great tussle with David Burgess, a string of useful contributions seeing him through by 1275-992. Burgess, who has been impressive on his return to the Amateur circuit, must be numbered amongst the players with a realistic chance of taking the title next season.

Dave Nichols also did well to overcome Peter Shelley by 230 points. His consistency seeing him through against the bigger breaks of Shelley. In the remaining quarter-final Philip Welham edged out Matthew Sutton in a slow-paced match.

Semi-Finals (4 hrs)

Stephen Crosland and Lee Lagan pose with match referee Eric Gratton (far left) who is holding the Silver Challenge Cup which has been associated with the Championship since 1911 and is now presented to the runner-up. Tournament Director, Clive Scott displays the Herbert Beetham Trophy.

Lagan, despite hitting 51 with his first scoring visit, was unusually subdued for the early part of his semi-final match against Dave Nichols. After an hour he was trailing by almost 200 points at 360-176. Shortly after this however, he surged ahead with a fine break of 286 and playing out the session with 303 unfinished, went into the interval leading 915-462. Having left himself in perfect position at the top, there was speculation that he might improve on his competition high break of 508. However he could add just three more points on his return, missing a regulation pot red from it's spot. However, his lead now looked unassailable and he was content to cruise until 45 minutes into the session when consecutive contributions of 79 and 95 from Nichols stung him into action again. He immediately replied with 120, and then adding runs of 267, 106 and 99 in the space of five visits, put the match well beyond reach at 1701-825. He maintained this advantage to the final bell with the eventual winning margin being a comfortable 903 points.

Stephen Crosland soon took charge of his semi-final against the 2000 Champion, Phil Welham. At the interval he was leading 628-397 but shortly after the resumption Welham managed to close to within 150 points. However, he could get no closer. With 30 minutes remaining, Crosland had restored his lead to around 200 points and then put together a decisive run of 82. After this, Welham seemed to concede the struggle and the remainder of the match was a formality. Crosland winning 1273-851.

Final (4 hrs)

EABA President, Alf Nolan, presents Lee Lagan with his trophy and winner's cheque after the final at Darley Dale. This was Lagan's third win in the last four years. He has not been beaten in the competition since 1998, having forfeited his chance in 2000 due to late arrival for a match.

The last match of the competition proved to be Lagan's toughest test, against Stephen Crosland, the reigning English Grand Masters Champion. Despite having been on the receiving end of some of Lagan's better performances during the course of the current season, Crosland was evidently approaching the match with every intention of taking home the winner's trophy. This was Crosland's second appearance in the final of the premier event, the previous occasion having been eleven years ago when he was defeated by another Teessider, Martin Goodwill.

Lagan's second scoring visit produced 113, but Crosland immediately countered with 85 and thereafter the match progressed with the scores neck-and-neck. It was only at the very end of the first session that Lagan, with breaks of 83 and 185 opened up a significant gap.

After two hours Crosland was still in touch, although trailing by 116 points at 655-539. Even so, few people would have given him a chance against the hot favourite, especially when Lagan opened the second session with runs of 45 and 181 with his first two visits to extend his lead to over 300 points. But Crosland maintained his self-belief and with a spell which saw him add contributions of 67, 75, 42, 136 and 67 in the space of six visits, he had pulled up to less than fifty points behind Lagan. By this time everyone in the room believed he could achieve the unthinkable. With his growing confidence reflected in the fluency of his play, Crosland edged even closer to Lagan and with less than 30 minutes remaining was just 36 points behind the Champion. At this stage Lagan demonstrated just why he carries that title by playing out most of the remaining time with a tremendous break of 328, the highest of the match. When he eventually finished, Crosland was in a hopeless position with just five minutes of the game remaining. Lagan averaged 32.9 for his second session and 26.3 for the match. Crosland finished with a creditable match average of 20.4 and can certainly be proud of his fighting performance on the day.

The prize money for the event had been reduced this year, which was the first Championship to be held since the EABA separated from WPBSA affiliation and it's associated funding. Lagan collected £200 for his win. An additional £25 for his high break of 508 made in the qualifying matches seems scant reward for such a magnificent achievement. With Lagan's departure for the professional ranks, there is no doubt that next year's championship will be the most open seen for many years.