"The Cheshire Billiards and Snooker League recently ran a one-day Billiards Tournament at Knight's Snooker Club, Chester. Each round was played over one hour and each player was handicapped. This annual event is open to entrants throughout the North West. I received 120 start from Frank Long in the Final. Frank made an 89 at his second visit but I managed to win by 110 with Frank being on 54* at the bell. I had no breaks over 50 but enough 20s and 30s to see me through. Peter Sheehan from Widnes Snooker Centre reached the Semis. I beat him by 80 odd receiving 50 start though Peter is only 14 years of age. He was runner-up in the North West under 16 Billiards and was a quarter-finalist in the under 16 National Championship, definitely one to watch for the future. Two other youngsters from Widnes also reached the last stages of the British under 16s. Matthew Daniels, 12, reached the quarters, and Andrew Higginson, beaten in the Semi-final by only 8 points, is also aged only 12. The success of these boys is largely due to the hard work put in by the owner of the Widnes Snooker Centre, Jack Stephens. Jack is a national coach and gives Billiards lessons to 20 or so youngsters every Saturday morning. I believe it is only a matter of time before Widnes can boast a number of players to match those from Middlesbrough. Jack entered a team of boys in the Widnes and District Senior Billiards League and was rewarded when the team (average age 12) won the Billiards K.O. Cup beating the R.A.F.A. Club (average age 25.) At the Senior level I was fortunate enough to win the Widnes and District Billiards Handicap. I beat Jim Elwell by 180 receiving 75 in 250. The Widnes Billiards team won the Merseyside Billiards Team Championship for the second year running, beating Port Sunlight Working Men's in the final. The Widnes team is Graham Lloyd (Captain) Arthur Johnson, Eddie McNicholas, Trevor Gent, Elwyn Roberts, Dave Walton, and John Hartshorn."