The Darley Dale Invitation

Sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland

Shirley on top as Amateurs beat Pros

This Tournament is held annually at the Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale, Derbyshire, and this year was on the 19th November. The Whitworth Institute dates from Victorian times, and still maintains its original function as a focal point of village life. It has a lovely Edwardian style billiards room, evocative of a bygone era, and with a superb table. This event is one that the connoisseur should not miss and not just for the billiards. There could be no better way of spending an Autumn day than by exiting the Ml at 26, taking the A610 to Ripley and then the A6 to Whatstandwell, Ambergate, through Matlock Bath, Matlock, and into Darley Dale. That drive through the Derwent valley at that time of the year when the wooded slopes rising from the river are ablaze with the most gorgeous colour is good for the spirit. One could take in a morning visit to Chatsworth or the haunting Haddon House, have lunch at the "Peacock" in Rowsley, returning the mile or so down the road to Whitworth for the billiards in the afternoon. The event was started nine years ago by enthusiast and International Player, Jim McCann, who persuaded The Royal Bank of Scotland to give him a small sponsorship and a trophy for an invitation tournament, a tournament that has become an important and prestigious event in the calendar. This year's invitees were World Champion Mike Russell, Ex-World Champion Norman Dagley, 1986 Amateur Champion Ken Shirley, and England Team Captain Des Heald. The games were of 50 minutes duration and the Pros conceded 75 points. Russell started like a house on fire against Dagley but was beaten by both amateurs despite a century against Heald and a 96 against Shirley; Heald had a century in his turn against the World Champion. Shirley also had a century, scored consistently, and was in that mood when he seems to have a stroke for every position. The decisive match was thus the one between the two amateurs, an interesting game with Ken being too good on the day. The only disappointing feature was the poor form of Norman who, incredibly, could manage only two breaks over 50 in two-and-a-half hours play. After the matches, Ken Shirley confided that though they had met in dozens of games it was the first time he had beaten Dagley.

Winner K. Shirley £100. R/u D. Heald £50.

Previous Winners: 1981 Bob Close. '82.Norman Dagley. '83.Bob Close. '84.Norman Dagley. '85.Ken Shirley. '86 Norman Dagley. '87.Mike Russell. '88.Mike Russell.

Derbyshire Championships Distinguished Spectator

In addition to organising the Whitworth Invitation, Jim McCann found time to take the Derbyshire Amateur for the third time beating Whitworth clubmate Malcolm Gregory at the Snooker Centre, day Cross, by 600 - 513 after Gregory had led for most of the match. The Trophy was presented by Herbert Beetham.

Amongst the spectators was Steve Davis based at the club in preparation for Sheffield. For anyone who is not aware of the fact, Davis is a pretty good Billiards player.

Jim was also involved in the Derbyshire Pairs event comprising 200 up at Billiards and two frames of Snooker, the match decided on aggregate. McCann, partnered by Mick Hill, beat Mark Hirch and Chris Bragazzi of Derby Potters.

Billiards

Snooker

Hill 1 Hirch l (1st Frame: 32 - 76; 2nd Frame 93 (38,25) - 34). Whitworth Institute beat Derby Potters 325 - 207.

This competition was first played four years ago and Jim McCann has been on the winning side every time, the first three years partnered by Nigel Bond. Jim is a good player and he's not bad at picking his partners.