Congratulation's to Paul Bennett on successfully defending his English Amateur Championship title after beating Neal Rewhorn in the final at Nuneaton.
Paul's win was all the sweeter as Neal had beaten him only 3 weeks earlier in the CIU Semi Final.
Many thanks to Bob Coales and his Atack Snooker Club staff for their endeavours and support during the staging of the last 16 and subsequent rounds.
One disappointment of the final day was the sparse attendance of spectators. When we first visited Nuneaton a healthy 60+ watched the finals and the 2nd year not many less, so where were you this time?
We resisted the EASB request to have our final incorporated within their finals weekend on the May bank holiday because of our established commitment to Nuneaton and while we are loathe to relinquish the excellent recourses at Nuneaton the players involved deserve a better response, so alternatives whether with or without the EASB will need to be considered.
Remember I advised about making applications for grant assistance and sports awards in ABP7. Well, we reported in the last mag of the Sports Award to Ralph Macklin by Middlesbrough Council and now I'm delighted to report that John Hartley has been allocated £200 sports aid from the Redcar and Cleveland Council.
The sum will assist John's entry and movement to the ABC's and various other tournaments. Thank you Redcar Council and well done John. Any other successes out there?
It was only a short while ago that we congratulated Peter Gilchrist on becoming Vice Chairman of the Professional Billiards Committee. Now we congratulate him further after his elevation to Chairman.
Whilst, along with many others, I had my run in's with Clive Everton, who has been displaced by Peter, I would record my thanks to Clive for the efforts he has given to the administration and promotion of billiards.
That is not to say he has gone away, Clive retained his democratic right to remain on the Billiards Committee despite a request that he withdraw from it and he will no doubt remain active and strongly voiced in it's future.
With Michael Ferreira as the new Vice Chairman Peter will have a guiding supporter. Good luck to them.
Following the presentation of prizes by Rex Williams after the final of the English Amateur an informal discussion took place with our Association Officers.
Rex is suggesting a meeting with himself and Terry Crabbe (Development officer WPBSA) take place with ourselves to look at potential closer relationships between the Pro and Amateur Association.
The Pro's are keen to have a Pro-Am tournament play reinstated and there will undoubtedly be other issues to discuss.
I am aware (whether I'm supposed to know or not) the WPBSA is looking to purchase a national cue sports magazine (no guesses but it's initials are the reverse of ours), whether this has any affect on our magazine production we wait to see.
One point of concern I have about the interaction of pro's and amateurs is the variance of rules, if we have Pro-Ams, who's rules do we play to?
I distinctly recall when the new set of rules were agreed on a world wide basis though the WPBSA/IBSF, etc, I called for— and thought it was agreed—there would be a moratorium of at least 3 years before further rule changes would be allowed.
Since then there have been many variances and additions to the pro game rules, not all in my opinion to the well-being of the game. There will need to be another coming together of minds of this alone.
One point I hope the Pro-Billiards Committee will address is the format for the World Matchplay event.
Games of 100 up are demeaning to pro's and don't allow players skills to come through, I'm nearly tempted to get my cue out and enter it (now there would be a novelty!).
Thanks to our magazine contributors who provide us with their experiences, recollections and records. Your provision is appreciated.
When have we been afraid to be innovative? It may have taken 110 years but a female eventually refereed a major billiards final! Vera Selby, a current and capable billiards player, and a former national and world ladies snooker champion, refereed the final of our English Amateur Championships and did it well, congratulations Vera.
The CIU Individual Billiards entry has declined in recent years. New sponsorship of the event for 1998 reinforces the point that it is a tournament worthy of your support. Entry form details can be found on page 5.
Until next time, good cueing and viewing.