CIU National Individual Billiards Championship

The Final: 14th June 1997

Darren Kell v Dave Edwards

at Grassmoor WMC (Chesterfield);

Darren Kell might have been playing for his first major title, but he showed no signs of nerves, turning in one of his best performances to defeat the experienced Dave Edwards in the final of the CIU Individual Billiards.

Having been considered by many Teessiders as the local player most likely to win the Amateur Championship this year, his defeat in the first round at Nuneaton came as a surprise and disappointment both to himself and his many followers. Confronted by no easy prospect to salvage his season, he started this match in determined mood, compiling 36 at his first opportunity and adding an impressive 125 beak at the next visit, to put 161 on the board before Edwards troubled the marker.

The contrast in styles was noticeable, with Kell giving maximum concentration and deliberation to each shot, while the easy-going Edwards was quick and fluent, appearing in position for the next stroke almost before the balls had stopped rolling.

After five visits each, with Kell averaging 40 and Edwards a rapid-fire 25, it looked like being a classic. But the Welshman in particular could not keep up the pace, experiencing more than his fair share of difficulties with covers, kicks and unexpected rolls.

Meanwhile Kell was blissfully unaware of these table terrors and after double baulking his opponent put together the highest break of the match with a run of 146.

The interval saw Kell with a lead of nearly 300 points, but perhaps remembering that Edwards had made a break of 219 in snatching victory from Jack Medley in an earlier round, he started the second session with the same intensity as the first, extending his lead to over 400. Then Edwards had his best spell, showing wonderful delicacy of touch in making consecutive breaks of 84 and 82. But both of these efforts ended prematurely, with the Welshman missing simple shots when in prime position - and worse - leaving Kell with an easy opening. Any lingering thoughts of an Edwards come-back were soon dashed by a 78 break from Kell, his best of the second session, followed shortly afterwards by a 64 to put his

lead back over the 400 mark. From this point he coasted to an easy victory, delighting the many Teesside supporters who had made the long journey, and collecting the winners cheque of £300 Edwards also picked up £300 for his efforts which included £50 for the highest break of the competition with his 219 unfinished against Medley.

This win continued the Teesside stranglehold on the competition, with the cup returning to the area for the third year in succession.