Mini-Prix 1990/91

1st Event: 29th July, 1990

Luton, St. James Snooker Club

Foldvari makes break of 372 unfinished The first round saw some good matches. Jim Murphy did well to beat Malc Pilkington. Tom Terry held Peter Gilchrist to 42 points whilst an all Yorkshire clash resulted in a narrow win for Mark Hirst over Steve Hardcastle. Ken Shirley got past Branson Hoole by just 13. Dave Runsam was one of the unlucky ones drawing Russell who had a 254. Paul Dunning did well against Norman Dagley losing by only 63, but the star performer of the round was Robby Foldvari with a great break of 372* against Welsh Professional Howard Griffiths.

Amateur Champion beats Foldvari

There were narrow wins for Professionals Dagley and Everton by 18 and 13 respectively over Chris Ross and David Rees, and an even narrower one for Ken Shirley who beat Bill Andress by just one point. Russell had two centuries against Chris Scot. Amateur Champion Martin Goodwill caused something of an upset by ousting Robby Foldvari in a dour game in which Foldvari was a little unlucky to break down at 79 but otherwise did little.

Good home win for John Scott

John Murphy had a good run in a comfortable win over fellow professional Clive Everton. Ken Shirley got an excellent start against Russell only to see the World Champion make a late 184 in something like his best style. Goodwill had a string of useful breaks and Dagley eased his way past Des Heald. The performance of the round came from John Scott who had a satisfying 26 point win over Peter Gilchrist. This was Scott's second win over the Professional Championship runner-up - his first being at Exeter earlier this year. Gilchrist may not have been at his best but, whatever his form, a win over the brilliant Teessider is an achievement that any Amateur may be proud of.

Scott loses in close game. Russell and Dagley double centuries

There were no surprises in the quarters. Murphy played well but was beaten by a 209 from the Champion. This was Russell's second double century of the day, it seems that the Marske man had made a friendly wager or two that he would beat Foldvari's first round 372* but Mike could not top the third century this time. Dagley too had a double, a beautiful 237 against Jim McCann. The best match was between Hirst and Scott the Bradford man winning by just 12 points.

Fairly Comfortable for Russell and Dagley

Russell did not top the century against Hirst but five breaks over fifty got him home though Hirst played well enough. Dagley had a good break of 161 in beating Goodwill by a hundred. The Professionals' performances were workmanlike rather than brilliant.

Russell wins by 20 points

Dagley was first in making 98 and missing a drop-cannon when a century seemed certain. Russell replied with 46 losing the white and two visits later made a remarkable break of 123. Approximately one hundred points in this break were scored at the spot end in a"Floating white"sequence in which the object white moved barely an inch. He failed at a screw pot from the spot. Dagley replied with a fifty, Russell followed with 42, but both players had unusual difficulty with the long loser and the game faded to an unmemorable finish.

Luton - Mini-Prix Plate

Steve Hardcastle was a shade fortunate to beat Malc Pilkington, Bill Andress a shade fortunate to beat Branson Hoole, whilst Peter King beat Dave Hashman by just one in a desperate finish. Tom Terry, after a decent game against Peter Gilchrist, offered little resistance to Derek Townend.

There was a century - 104 - from the 17-year-old Roxton Chapman. A century in the Plate is always an excellent performance. Chapman's was against Howard Griffiths, it was certainly not the Welshman's day. Chris Ross scored 250, Dick Watts 195, and 15-year-old Peter Sheehan 199, good scoring in half-hour games.

Hardcastle, Ross, and Watts all again scored well.with Hardcastle and Ross making good breaks.

Hardcastle beat Ross by only three points whilst the experienced Dick Watts had a comfortable win over Peter Sheehan who had done very well to get to this stage.

The Plate was won by Steve Hardcastle. Steve just about deserved to take the secondary competition but it had been his day. Dick Watts stood ready to make an easy pot white only to hear the bell before the red ball had stopped rolling. He was thus unable to make his stroke and was mortified to see the scores tied on 148. Steve had the best of the extra ten minutes.

The St. James is a nice Club with good conditions, friendly Staff, with reasonably priced catering. Despite the very hot weather there was some good Billiards. Norman Dagley reckoned that it was hotter than in Bangalore where he had been just a few days before competing in the Radiant Grand Slam.

2nd Event: 19th August 1990

Woking Snooker Centre

(Sponsored by the Surrey Demolition Co. Ltd.)

Foldvari beaten Merseyside men fly (By Aeroplane)

After the intense heat of the previous weeks the weather had turned wet and humid and despite the air-conditioning system working overtime, the tables were rather damp and the balls skidding. Conditions were therefore difficult and it was not until the Finals that we saw a century break when conditions had improved to resemble the excellence of the Mini-Prix visit of February. There was a new, and rather unusual, Mini-Prix first. The Widnes trio of Arthur Johnson, his son Phil, and Robby Robertson flew down to the event from Manchester Airport and then hiring a car from Heathrow. There was unfortunately no happy ending as they all went out in the first round Arthur being unlucky enough to draw Norman Dagley. Bridgwater's Brian Harvey caused an upset by ousting Australian Robby Foldvari - one of the favourites. There were fewer entries than usual, one notable absentee being Mike Russell who was playing in an important cricket match.

Good Wins for Heald and Sunderland Playing his first game as a Professional against a Professional, Des Heald had a good win over John Murphy, whilst Ron Sunderland had an excellent game against Bill Andress.

The match between Heald and Harvey was a rather dour affair Des' Heald's winning margin not reflecting what a hard match this had been. Both Steve Hardcastle and Ron Sunderland managed to came through quite comfortably, but Peter Gilchrist was never in the game as Norman Dagley dominated without making a big break.

Des Heald and Steve Hardcastle had a ding-dong struggle Steve winning fairly comfortably in the end. Ron Sunderland had had a very good tournament but his run came to an end against the ex-World Champion who yet again made a string of good breaks without topping the century.

The game started slowly, after 7 visits Hardcastle lead 52 - 36. Both players had broken down when in position, but Dagley looked the more assured and finally managed the century that he had threatened to score so many times in his earlier games. Hardcastle followed with 35 but it was the Harrogate man's last effort of any note. He seemed nervous in this, his first final and against such an illustrious opponent. Dagley showed a fair sized gathering of spectators some lovely touches and some classical strokes without again even reaching fifty. Those who intend to apply for Professional status -including Hardcastle - should have regarded this game as something in the nature of a reminder that they will find a deal of difference in doing well in a Mini-Prix and playing in a Professional Tournament when there is prestige, and whatever money is available to Billiards, at stake. However, in fairness to Steve Hardcastle, he was undoubtedly nervous and over-anxious to show what he can do, a state which often results in a player producing poor form. Steve will have learned something from this game.

Woking Plate

One of the Widnes, 'Fliers,' Robby Robertson, primarily a Snooker player, did well to win if by only two against Dave Runsam.

Robertson did rather well again though losing, but by only 15, against the much more experienced Phil Welham. Foldvari, who had had an awful game in the main competition, was in rather more confident mood. He struck a wager with the B.Q.R. Editor that he would make a double century. He took five to one on in 'Fivers.' At one stage he looked set to do it but the conditions (and the Gods) were against him.

The B.Q.R. - Foldvari wager was renewed with the odds made rather more in the Australian's favour by agreeing on a single century instead of a double.

Again the Aussie was frustrated, the best break of this round being 92 by David Rees.

Foldvari tried hard but still couldn't make it. Phil Welham had a good half-hour score.

The bet came down to a straightforward double or quits. B.Q.R. should have taken the money and ran.

Foldvari was determined not to have to pay out and, cueing in more like his normal manner, made a very good century, Phil Welham hardly getting a look in.

The Woking Club is one of the best on the Tour and certainly the best as regards conditions for watching in comfort. It is a real pity that this Tournament was not better supported, though the turn-out could have been considered reasonable for the height of the holiday season, and in view of the weather being all against indoor sports - though ironically - the day of the Tournament saw the first rain for weeks. The Woking Club management is highly supportive of the game, and a regular Mini-Prix in Woking will do much to raise the profile of Billiards in that area.

3rd Event: 22nd/23rd September, 1990

Victoria Snooker and Social Club, Grimsby

Sponsored by The Humberside Leisure Services and by Youngs Insurance, Grimsby

291 unfinished from Gilchrist. Personal best for Paul Dunning

Middlesbrough Professional Peter Gilchrist started with a break of 109 in the Preliminary round and followed this up with a great 291* in the first round. Russell had two centuries and Mark Hirst had a good 154 against new Professional Steve Hardcastle. John Murphy had a nice 137 against Bob Close but was still beaten. The most pleasing, performance of this first round without any doubt came from Chester's Paul Dunning with a personal best break of 139. It was nice to see that great enthusiast Ivan Stevenage qualify for the first time. Clubmates B.Q.R. Editor Tom Terry and Malc. Pilkington have been travelling together to Mini-Prix for some time and the inevitable at last happened - drawn together in the main competition (it has happened before in the plate) Tom getting through this time.

Second Round. Tough at the Top. Russell fades The draw had turned out rather top-heavy in terms of potential winners. Big breaks from Foldvari and Close put paid to any possible surprise from Mark Hirst and Bill Andress who are both capable of providing upsets. Russell was nowhere near his best seeming rather under the weather. Gilchrist produced another big break and was clearly unassailable in the bottom half. Second Round Results B. Harvey 315 (101) H. Griffiths 200 M. Russell 368 (78,67) P. Sheehan 243 R. Foldvari 406 (73,131) M. Hirst 104 R. Close 480 (78,52,180,64) W. Andress 195 A. Firth 229 (67) P. Dunning 225 P. Ostrowski 150 I. Stevenage 128 T. Terry 206 K. Payne 167 (60) P. Gilchrist 413 (168) D. Townend 191

Close v Foldvari - Great Match

The highlight of the quarters was a great match between Close and Foldvari. In his first half-dozen visits to the table Close made breaks of 96 and 193 to go almost three hundred points ahead, it was apparently all over bar the shouting. Foldvari thought otherwise; with a 63 and some smaller items, he began to come into the game. With about twenty minutes left for play he embarked on a break and, playing rather more quickly than usual, reached 163 to get within a few points. Close held on to win by just 43. The other games went as expected.

Easy for Gilchrist and not too difficult for Close

Bob Close got a good start against Russell with 99 and 78. The Champion replied with a 91 and then, when well set at the spot-end played a postman's knock cannon just too slowly the cueball not quite reaching its target. Close grabbed the resulting good leave to the tune of 95, and with some smaller efforts finished a comfortable winner. Peter Gilchrist continued cueing like a machine, he seemed incapable of missing and when left with anything difficult he simply crashed in another fine pot.

Close overwhelmed

Gilchrist broke off, Close missed.Gilchrist made 166. Close replied with 29. Gilchrist then made 19 and after Close had scored just one cannon the Middlesbrough man made 239. The score at this stage stood 424 - 33. Close was a shade unfortunate in that his opponent had a fluke at 20 in his first break but, that apart, his play was of the highest order and Gilchrist can surely never have cued so straight and so effortlessly; he addressed the ball just once, struck, stayed down until the stoke had finished, and then was round to his next shot in an instant and ready to play without the slightest hesitation. It was great stuff, if he maintains such form then he will take some stopping in the major championships this season. Bob Close, who won this event last year, had also shown very good form, but he was a spectator for most of the time in this one though he did manage to reply with a couple of 50s. The higher than usual runner-up prize money and a handsome cut-glass vase would have been some consolation for the defending Champion.

Grimsby Mini-Prix Plate

Tough Competition

The Plate was always going to be a good one to win as the players included Ron Sunderland, Steve Hardcastle, and Malc. Pilkington - all ex-Plate winners; Jim McCann and David Rees - International players, Des Heald and Tony Done - Mini-Prix winners, Steve Crosland - a Websters winner, and John Scott - an Amateur Championship Semi-finalist. There was also Herbert Beetham and Bill Watson. Clearly a lot would depend on who got in first and how many they could get in front.

There were two very close games, Des Heald and Ron Sunderland both winning by just 6 points. Gent and Crosland both had very comfortable wins.

As expected it was very much a case of the first man in likely to be the winner.

The final was a very good though rather a low-scoring match. The players were both very much aware that just a couple of mistakes could cost the game, and consequently both of them adopted a vary cautious approach. There was quite an exciting finish. With less than a minute to go, Sunderland, in hand, had both object balls near the side cushion and just below the right-hand centre pocket. The cannon was simple, but in attempting what appeared to be an effort at a five-shot, Ron made a hash of it and let Steve in for a couple of scoring shots which gave the Yorkshireman victory by 5 points. It was a good game to watch.

The Turnout for Grimsby was surprisingly low. The Tournament carries the highest Prize money of the circuit and there is the added incentive that qualifiers (Last 16) are offered free accommodation in the excellent Crest Hotel whilst competitors not qualifying are offered a reduced rate. The Victoria Club, now under new management, has some quite excellent playing conditions, friendly staff, and good catering at very reasonable prices indeed. Viewing conditions are good and a first-rate buffet was laid on after the Final. The turnout of 35 players compared to last year's 58 is really rather extraordinary. The previous week had seen the qualifying matches at Kenilworth for the British Open and the World Matchplay. These matches had been scheduled to finish on the Thursday before Grimsby but an influx of new Professional players meant that these qualifiers had to be extended to the Saturday morning of the Grimsby Mini-Prix. However, this made little difference. Bob Close made the dash from Kenilworth to Grimsby in order to compete, a dash which seemed to affect his play not at all as he reached the Final. The only other Professional who usually plays at Grimsby is Clive Everton and he was engaged in a marathon with Ian Williamson until well into the Saturday afternoon. It was suggested that Kenilworth was one reason for the low turnout but the facts do not support this. The missing players were amateurs who are generally seen around the circuit and who for one reason or another did not make it to Grimsby. The reasons clearly are individual and personal but one might be the rapidly increasing price of petrol. If there are any regulars who did not go to Grimsby for reasons connected with the game or the organisation then this magazine would be interested in hearing from them. It would be something of a major disaster for Mini-Prix to lose Grimsby.

The figures after three tournaments make an interesting comparison with last year at the same venues:-

89/90: Luton 44; Woking 56; Grimsby 58; Total 158.

90/91: Luton 52; Woking 39; Grimsby 35; Total 146.

The next Mini-Prix breaks new ground at The Manor Leisure and Fitness Club, Yeadon, Leeds. It is reported that this is a top-class club in all respects. It will be interesting to see how many players turn up there.

Points

After three tournaments the leading amateur is Brian Harvey with 5 main-competition points. Ron Sunderland and Alan Firth have 3, whilst 6 players have 2. Norman Dagley is the leading Professional with 9 points, whilst both Russell and Gilchrist have 8.

Money

Among the Professionals Peter Gilchrist has taken a clear lead by virtue of taking the high prize and top break at Grimsby putting him on a total of £625. Norman Dagley has £405 from two events. Russell has £350 also from two events. Of the Amateurs, Alan Firth leads with £100 from Grimsby whilst Ron Sunderland is next on £80. It is true that the Amateurs are not over concerned with the prize money but, these days, something towards travelling expenses is always welcome.

Breaks

The highest from the first three events is Foldvari's 372 unfinished at Luton, the next highest being Gilchrist's 291 unfinished at Grimsby. Peter has one other double in his total of 9 centuries; Russell has two doubles in a total of 12, Norman Dagley has a double - 237. 13 players have made century breaks including 6 Amateurs.

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