The British Open

Peter Gilchrist Retains Title

The British open was held at the Excelsior Club, Leeds, Dec,4th-8th, '89. Middlesbrough Professional Peter Gilchrist retained his Title by beating Norman Dagley in a match which was notable for the quality of the play and for a dramatic finish.. Gilchrist made a 103 unfinished in the first round to beat Stephen Naisby by just over 100, and he had a good win over Geet Sethi in the quarters. Sethi had earlier in the day eliminated World Professional Champion Mike Russell with the aid of the Tournament top break of 444. Eugene Hughes caused something of an upset by ousting Australian Champion Robby Foldvari by just 10 in a low scoring match. Hughes went on to the Semi after beating 76-year-old Fred Davis who had played very well considering that he was driving home to North Wales between matches! Norman Dagley was far too good for Hughes in the Semi, but Gilchrist and Williamson provided a near capacity crowd with an exciting match, Gilchrist getting through to that memorable final with Dagley.

Eugene Hughes had shown himself to be no mean Billiards Player by his performance in early season Mini-Prix and this magazine made him "Best outsider," but he was quite outclassed by a relaxed Norman Dagley who ran up a string of big breaks in the second session of the four hour match.

Gilchrist got a flier with a wonderful break of 303 at only his 2nd visit, but did little else in the first session. Williamson reduced the arrears with 705* but was still 352 behind at the interval. He took his break to 146 and following with 181 reduced the margin to less than 100 with half-an-hour to go. Williamson twice got good position at the top and twice missed pots when a X loser would perhaps have won him the match as he reduced the gap to a mere 30. A desperate 46 and a couple of smaller efforts saw Gilchrist to victory in a match he should never have lost but nearly did, and which Williamson should never have won but nearly did.

This was a superb match. Gilchrist made 222 at his 4th visit, and later added 213 and 116 in consecutive visits. Dagley desperately needed a big break but it was Gilchrist who, with a 55, increased his lead to 335 at the interval. Gilchrist was soon in again with 48 and 37, but Champions of the quality of Norman Dagley do not give in easily. A great break of 252, a 66, and a 98, put him in so in touch that with 15 minutes left there was only 28 in it. Both players were showing the strain. Gilchrist was visibly shaken, to lead all the way only to face defeat at the last gasp, and knowing that most of the spectators are sympathising with your opponent, is not good for the stomach; but with Dagley tiring, the Middlesbrough man held his nerve. With a 73 and some smaller efforts, he hung on to retain his Title by 158. The old Champion's fight back and his young rival's determination to hold on was truly emotional and dramatic. This game must rank as one of the great matches of the modern Professional era.

P. Gilchrist (£3,000), N. Dagley (£l,500)