Amateur Billiards Circuit: Morley

Brian Harvey wins Inaugural Event

Morley Snooker Centre. Nr. Leeds

Readers may recall that the last issue of the B.Q.R, reported that Derek Townend intended to initiate a series of"Amateurs Only"tournaments and that the first would be held at the Morley Snooker Centre Nr. Leeds. The event went ahead as scheduled on the 23rd of June. The Morley Centre is an excellent venue easily accessible from the M1 and A650. There is a very nice bar area, the catering is good. The billiards room is very good, carpeted throughout and with some twenty tables. One of the tables has a plaque on an adjacent wall to the effect that this was the table on which Joe Johnson practiced regularly for some seven years prior to winning the World Snooker Championship.

Quality Field

The turnout was disappointingly low, it was, however, the first of a series of proposed events, it had been put on at rather short notice, and it was during the holiday season. Attendances should rise as the word gets round. With regard to those players who did take part, the field could hardly have been stronger. Amateur Champion Martin Goodwill together with Runner-up Steve Crosland were present, Championship Semi-Finalist David Causier, Peter Shelley, Brian Hoole, John Scott, Bill Andress, Ron Sunderland, and the eventual winner Brian Harvey, all leading Amateur players were there, and the occasion was graced by the illustrious presence of the octogenarian Herbert Beetham. It was going to be a good tournament to win.

There were no spectacular performances and no upsets. The highest break came from Goodwill (85) whilst a late 50 saw Brian Harvey past Tom Terry.

J. Scott. J. Hills. M. Pilkington. R. Sunderland. W. Andress Byes

More players made breaks in this round. The closest game was that between Peter Shelley and Paul Dunning where only a late 78 put the twice Amateur Championship runner-up past the Chester man. Martin Goodwill made the tournament highest of 117

There were exciting games between Goodwill / Causier, and Harvey / Crosland. The Amateur Champion was not at his best only a couple of late twenties accounting for his young Teesside opponent by a mere 13 points. Causier should perhaps have won this game. Brian Harvey's victory over Steve Crosland was even closer - just 11 points. There was not a lot between Shelley and Hoole but Malc. Pilkington was on the end of a few Bill Andress, "specials.".

Goodwill struggled all the way against Harvey and was eventually well beaten. Neither did the Bridgwater man produce his best form but a 61 and two or three thirties were enough on the day. Bill Andress, after going like a house on fire in the previous round, was strangely subdued and lost easily to Shelley who himself was not in any great form.

Peter Shelley made early progress, appeared to be in improved form, and with breaks of 52.33 and 22 took the lead. It was not until his twelfth visit that Harvey made a thirty break which, together with a couple of twenties, kept him in touch. Shelley's early promise faded, his last 13 visits produced only 129 points including a 40 break, whilst Harvey, gaining in confidence, scored 206 points in his last eight visits to finish a comfortable winner.

Morley Plate

The best break of the round came from Tom Terry with a 62. There were no surprises though Kevin Payne's defeat caused just a slightly raised eyebrow.

Paul Reeve (16) from York made the tournament's second century - 104 - against the experienced Ron Sunderland. Reeve has not been playing for very long, has had some coaching from Brian Hoole, and this was his first century in competition. Well done Paul. The most remarkable game was that between the BQR Editor and Luton's John Scott. Both players scored freely and the referee marked the match 237 -232 to Scott. The score (Not the result) was questioned. For both men to score over 200 in a half-hour game (Other than Russell/Sethi/Gilchrist) would seem to indicate a marking error but the referee said there was no error.

John Scott was on the receiving end of some good scoring whilst young Reeve seemed played out after his effort of the previous round.

Trevor Gent had been going along quite nicely thank you and continued his good form in the Final to take the plate prize. John Hills had also shown good form in his wins over Payne, Hirst, and Scott, but he slumped in this one and was a comfortable loser. But well done to both players.

Though the turnout was disappointing those players that were there enjoyed the day and attendances will surely improve. Playing conditions were generally good and it is a bit of a mystery why there were not bigger breaks - maybe it was the weather. The next ABC promotion is to be at Stoke on Sept. 8th and it will be Interesting to see who is there and whether there will be an improvement in the standard of play.