THE ENGLISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

THE FINAL

SETTING THE SCENE

On the 25th May 1997, some 40 Billiards enthusiasts gathered at Bob Coale's friendly Atack Snooker Centre at Nuneaton to enjoy this year's final.

This year's competition had been billed as the most open ever, with no hot favourite and the winner predicted to come from anyone of about a dozen likely contenders. The pundits were right! From the last 32 national qualifiers, fancied contenders such as Darren Kell, Peter Shelley, David Burgess, Steve Crosland and Mark Hirst, all fell before the semifinal stages.

The two finalists who eventually emerged from the ruck were Terry Ward and Paul Bennett. Terry, as consistent as ever, battled his way through without annihilating any of his opponents, finishing with a semi-final victory over Phil Welham, including a 171 break. Paul, on the other hand, made more comfortable progress to the final, ending up with a landslide 800+ points win against Terry Colby in his semi-final, including a 164 and numerous other sizeable breaks.

The Players

Terry Ward, a 48 year-old from York, was appearing in his second consecutive final, with umpteen semi-final appearances and two English International events behind him.

Paul Bennett, a 21 year-old from Billingham, was in the final for the first time, but is currently the top-ranked player in both the "A.B.C." and "21 and under" circuits.

Perhaps both of them deserved to win! Terry, because he had been 'thereabouts' so often in the past and Paul who, despite his obvious talent had not won a national event at either junior or senior level - "I've won nowt!" was his down-to-earth pre-match comment.

THE GAME

Battle was joined with both players starting hesitantly, as could be expected on such a big occasion. In the first hour, Ward recorded the only break above 50, a carefully crafted 67, but it was Bennett who had the better of the exchanges, with more scoring than Ward in the 30 to 40 break range. Consequently, he usually had his nose in front, but never by very much.

The second half of the first session saw this pattern continue, with no more breaks above 50 and neither player dominating the game. The interval arrived with Bennett, in play, ahead by a mere 12 points - the contest, as expected, had developed into an absorbing struggle between two well-matched players, each with his eyes set firmly on the coveted title.

At the mid-session interval, most spectators were congratulating themselves on predicting a close outcome; only the most partisan supporters/relations were prepared to back their man with any conviction.

The game continued with its nip-and-tuck intensity, although, in contrast to the first session, the breaks were now starting to flow with more regularity.

Bennett was first in with a 60, but this was countered by Ward with a 68. Not to be outdone, Bennett produced a 51 but Ward, after out-pointing his opponent with some minor scores, ran in a solid 72 break to put him some 60 points ahead with less than an hour to go.

At this stage, some heads in the audience were beginning to nod wisely, as it is well-known that Ward does not easily surrender such a lead during the closing stages of a game.

Sure enough, with the clock ticking away, a lengthy bout of cagey safety play emerged, with Ward having the upper hand. With just over half an hour to go, however, Bennett was given an opportunity which he accepted with both hands to produce a break of 163, albeit aided by a fluke at the mid-point but nevertheless well-constructed.

Now Ward, 100 points adrift, was up against it but, to his credit, he came back immediately with a 51, breaking down when appearing to be comfortably in the driving seat.

Bennett, now determined not to let his hold on the game slip, then had the better of the closing stages to win by 116 points.

So there it was - an extremely well-fought final which was in doubt until the last 10 minutes, a new name on the trophy and a very gallant runner-up.

THE AFTERMATH

Following the presentation of trophies and an enjoyable buffet provided by the Atack Snooker Centre, there was, as usual, much speculation as to future winners. It was generally agreed that, for the next few years, the competition would remain wide open. The next predicted superstar from Teesside is still only 13 and, short of any return to the amateur ranks from the professional circuit, the title will continue to be up for grabs.

Well done Paul Bennett, hard luck Terry Ward and it's nice to see amateur Billiards still alive and kicking!