A healthy entry of 29 players gathered at the Newmarket Snooker & Bowl for the twelfth Eastern Counties Billiards Championship. West Acre's Phillip Welham took the title by defeating Kettering's Matthew Sutton 204-189 in a very tightly fought final. Welham had previously recorded good wins over Ivan Chambers (Ely) and Sam Salter (Newmarket) in the quarter and semi-finals respectively. A break of 132, the highest in the competition, being the feature of his game against Chambers. Sutton had played equally well to better Michael Wright (St. Albans) and Jim Chambers (Ely) at the same stages of the competition.
Rushden's Dean Bavister, who is returning to the sport after a lay-off, produced some classy form to win the Plate competition, beating Keith Lloyd (Cambridge) 193-188 in the final. Dean Manders (Lincoln) defeated Peter Cooper to win the "Subsidiary Cup" for first round losers in the Plate.
Thanks are extended to all the management and staff at Newmarket and to the Tournament Director, Clive Scott who also officiated with referees Peter Cooper and David Smith. The trophies were presented by Mark Wildman, President of the Eastern Counties Billiards Association.
| Phillip Welham 132, 57 | 426 | Ivan Chambers | 155 | ||
| Sam Salter | 190 | Arthur Reeve | 186 | ||
| Matthew Sutton 106, 62, 62 | 345 | Michael Wright | 86 | ||
| Jim Chambers | 281 | Mick White | 231 |
| Phillip Welham 78 | 256 | Sam Salter | 219 | ||
| Matthew Sutton 62, 55 | 301 | Jim Chambers 52 | 99 |
| Phillip Welham
| 204 | Matthew Sutton
| 189 |
On 16th March, thirty-seven players took part in the Norfolk Billiards Handicap which was held at the Woodside SC, Norwich. The turn-out reflects the very strong state of billiards in this part of the World, and with fifteen juniors taking part is also a tribute to the hard work that has been put into development of the junior game in the region over the last six years. The event was won by Lee Daynes who defeated Colin McCarthy in the final. Frank Harper was the Tournament Director.
Huntingdon 147 became first-division champions, finishing the season two points clear of Spalding with Cambridge "A" a further point behind.
Matthew Sutton starred for Huntingdon, making three centuries during the course of the season, including the division's highest break of 147.
He was ably supported by Matt Willard who also made a century and twelve others over 50 in his eight games.