October saw the introduction of another new event (and format) to the Amateur Billiards Circuit which is organised and run by Derick and Peggy Townend. For the first time a handicap competition was arranged and this took place at the Cambridge Snooker Centre, the results of course, not counting towards the final ranking positions. Even without the enticement of ranking points, a total of 31 players still travelled from widespread regions of England to take part. As usual, the games were one-hour duration.
The event was sponsored by billiards stalwart, Jock McGregor, who generously donated a trophy from his private collection. Indeed, this was no ordinary trophy, having last been presented to that famous Yorkshireman, Leslie Driffield, for his victory in the Indian Amateur Billiards Championship in January 1953. Driffield, who was reluctant to enter this National Championship, had been encouraged to do so by the Indian Association after his win in the World Amateur Championship held in Calcutta immediately prior to this event. His victory interrupted the reign of one of India's greatest players, Wilson Jones, whom he defeated during the course of this Championship.
Fittingly perhaps, the trophy was collected on this occasion by another Yorkshireman, Steve Crosland, who came through the competition as the joint back-marker (scratch), defeating John Carman (+70) 450-272 in the final. The other scratch player was Dave Burgess, who lost to Carman in the quarter-final, but not before he had recorded the highest break of the day with 123 in his first round match. This was later equalled by Steve Crosland, both players therefore sharing the high break prize.
Following his impressive debut at Bradford, the manager of the Cambridge SC, Phil Mumford (+30), made another good showing in this event, progressing to the semi-finals before becoming one of Steve Crosland's victims. In the other semi-final, John Carman who received 30 points from David Rees, pulled off an impressive 307-249 victory, including a break of 76.
This is the first time the Amateur Billiards Circuit had visited the Cambridge Snooker Centre and the venue attracted a great deal of praise from the competitors, many of whom will no doubt be back when the Circuit returns for a ranking event in December.