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The Amateur Billiard Player : Spring 2003

ENGLAND V NORTHERN IRELAND

Sealand Leisure, Queensferry, Deeside. 25th-26th January 2003

This year the Friendly Cup was contested on the English side of the water at Sealand Leisure in Queensferry over 25th-26th January.

Photo of England Team (13k)
English team players L-R: John Hartley, David Rees, Steve Crosland, Paul Dunning, Dave Burgess, Jim McCann, Phil Welham, Darren Kell.

Aided once again by a superb sponsorship deal from the Corbetts Group, players, families and friends, enjoyed an unforgettable weekend in the excellent surroundings of The Gateway To Wales Hotel and Sealand Leisure. The eight players from each country were drawn against each other according to their equivalent ranking positions with each having one game of 500-up worth 3 points, and three games of 150-up worth one point each.

Photo of NorthernIreland Team (14k)
Some of the Northern Ireland squad L-R: J. V. McLaughlin, Roy Lattimer, Sammy Currie, Oliver McGuigan (Team Manager)(back), Terry McDowell (front), Sammy Clarke, Christian Kirk, Paddy Donnelly.

Despite some good performances from the Irish, it was the strength in depth of the English team which saw them through to a comfortable 36- 12 victory. Irish No.1 Paddy Donnelly emerged from the contest undefeated, taking all three 150-up games against Steve Crosland and then defeating Darren Kell in their 500-up match. However, none of his team-mates could reproduce this success. Sammy Currie made the only century for the Irish, a run of 101 being enough to secure one of the 150-up games against John Hartley, who nevertheless rallied to take the other two games in this match. Apart from victories for Sammy Clarke and Roy Lattimer, both over David Rees, the English had things pretty much their own way. Phil Welham was particularly impressive, rounding off the team victory on the second day with breaks of 93, 91 and 116 in his three 150-up games against Jimmy McLaughlin. Whelham, finished his programme undefeated, as did Jim McCann, Dave Burgess and Paul Dunning, while Steve Crosland recorded the highest break with 122. Results. English names first:

Saturday 25th January
500-up games (3 pts)
Phillip Welham
60, 67, 61, 72		500  Colin Mylchreest
71, 53, 63		488 
Jim McCann
52, 55, 61		500  J. V. McLaughlin
52		359 
150-up games (3 x 1 pt)
Stephen Crosland 36, 138, 124, Paddy Donnelly 150(89), 150(69), 150; Paul Dunning 150, 150(51), 150(68), Norman Whaley 115, 90, 65; Darren Kell 150, 150(81), 150(50), John McIntyre 13, 56, 81(79); David Rees 42, 150, 80, Sammy Clarke 150, 133, 150; David Burgess 150(53), 150(63, 61unf), 150(87), Roy Lattimer 20, 15, 55; John Hartley 150, 68, 150, Sammy Currie 109, 150(101), 141.
Sunday 26th January
500-up games (3 pts)
Paddy Donnelly
62, 72, 85unf		500  Darren Kell
50, 66		356 
John Hartley
64		500  Norman Whaley
480 
ephen Crosland
122, 75, 68		500  John McIntyre
58, 53		330 
David Burgess
55, 106		500  Sammy Clarke
240 
Roy Lattimer
84, 104, 91		500  David Rees
270 
Paul Dunning
68, 50, 93		500  Sammy Currie
299 
150-up games (3 x 1 pt)
Jim McCann 150(50), 150, 150, Colin Mylchreest 146(71), 115, 132; Phillip Welham 150(93), 150(91), 150(116) J.V. McLaughlin 79, 32, 35.
Final match score - England 36 Northern Ireland 12

JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL

The England Juniors were also in action at Sealand Leisure, over the same week-end as their senior colleagues, taking on a representative side from Northern Ireland for The Kingsman Trophy. They played essentially the same format except that the longer games were reduced 300-up.

Joe Buttimer, who represented the Irish senior squad in the Tri- Nation earlier in the season, was brought in to bolster their second-string team. He was responsible for their only successes, contributing all five points for the visitors as the English lads romped to a 19-5 victory. The trophies were presented by EABA Chairman Peter Shelley who had a special word for the Northern Ireland youngsters, stating that "we are all delighted to see young players now coming through their ranks, as longterm it will be of benefit to all". Results. English names first:

300-up games (3 pts)
Joe Buttimer
300  Billy Bousfield
208 
Craig Murphy
300  Darren Gallway
289 
Robert Hall
59, 51		300  Terry McDowell
158 
Calvin Daws
300  Christian Kirk
244 
150-up games (3 x 1 pt)
Robert Hall 150, 150, 150, Christian Kirk 49, 69, 69; Calvin Daws 150, 150, 150, Terry McDowell 80, 75, 85; Billy Bousfield 150, 150(54), 150 Darren Gallway 102, 65, 52; Craig Murphy 150, 87, 139, Joe Buttimer 49, 150, 150.
Final Match Score - England 19 Northern Ireland 5