Professional Billiards

Radiant Grand Slam (World Masters) - First Leg

Sofitel Surya Hotel. New Delhi. November 20th - 23rd

Change in Technique brings Sethi's First Professional Title

Slight but significant changes in technique brought the twice World Amateur Champion Geet Sethi his first Professional Title - the first leg of the prestigious Radiant Grand Slam billed also as the World Masters Championship. For some time the Indian player had played in glasses and not shown his true form. Sethi had been taking chloroquin tablets, prescribed by his doctor for a minor ailment. A side effect of this drug is blurred vision and the Indian player had wrongly been advised to wear glasses. All those who have seen Sethi play were astonished that he, of all people, should need glasses. A second opinion was eventually sought and it turned out that he needed glasses about as much as the average cat. The specs were discarded. The changes in technique related to his grip and stance. He is gripping with the thumb slightly more round the butt of the cue than previously and, perhaps more importantly, he has adopted a bent left elbow. This, he claims, has given him a better follow through and, "More room to manoeuvre the cue."

This fundamental change from a straight to a bent bridge arm is in line with modern thoughts on snooker technique. It is interesting to recall that Steve Davis made a similar change some seasons ago. Readers may also be interested in the fact that Ian Williamson has recently had his cue lengthened in the interests of a better follow-through. The Leeds Player's cue was perhaps a little on the short side but he has played some very good billiards with it over the last few years. Snooker players are adopting the use of a size or two larger tip than was previously considered ideal and the reason is said to be that this helps in plain ball striking. As the use of side is such an essential part of the billiard player's technique, the larger tip may not become fashionable in the three ball game, but there is no doubt that the modern snooker stance together with that rather short crisp-striking cue action - typical of the younger snooker professional - is used by all the younger billiards professionals, and especially when they are operating at the top-of-the-table. Whatever the various reasons for the changes, they worked for Geet in New Delhi, and they certainly worked for him in Sheffield where it was possible to observe him in action at first hand.

The qualifying rounds for the tournament were played in Sheffield in April and were fully reported in Issue No.4 of this magazine. The qualifiers for the quarters were Geet Sethi, Robby Foldvari, Michael Ferreira, Mike Russell, Norman Dagley, Bob Close, John Murphy, and Ian Williamson.

This was a very remarkable match. The first four games saw the Indian in complete command with Foldvari able to do little or nothing. In the second game, for instance, the Australian scored only 31 points in 14 visits. The Indian made a century in each game (108.131*.138, and 122) to lead 4-0. After the interval the pattern of play was completely reversed. Foldvari dominated, breaks of 148*. 150*, and 103 took him to 4 - 4. The ninth game saw both players taking no chances. Sethi managed to work the openings, 85 and 60* giving him the match. It was a wonderful confrontation. Billiards enthusiasts are apt to decry the short game format but it can produce exciting play and this game together with such clashes as Dagley/Sethi at the Barbican will live in the memory of those who saw them, long after longer and more one-sided matches have faded.

Michael Ferreira is a very fine player and a fierce competitor but he will tell you that he is not playing anything like as well as some years ago, and he will freely admit to cueing problems, problems which are patently obvious to the observer and consisting in a snatching, jerking sort of poke on some shots, particularly on certain middle pocket pots from hand which he misses more often than he should. Ferreira had a bad World Championship. These factors, coupled with the fact that Russell seems invincible, made Michael very much the pre-match second favourite, indeed, so much so that the Indian had not packed a dress suit as his match against Russell was during the day and he had reckoned that he would not be playing in the evening. In the event it was the Englishman who had an awful time of it winning only one game and that by a single point. Despite Ferreira's technical problems there is little wrong with his game when he gets the balls at the spot-end and with Russell playing so badly the Indian scored heavily enough to win 5 -1 without making a single century. As regards Russell, it is reported that he was not feeling well. Referee John Williams said that he felt rather worried about the young Teessider as he looked so ill. Ferreira himself wrote that it was not pleasant to see a player like Russell struggling in such a manner. Russell said that it was the worst match he had played as a professional but made no excuses.

These two have met before! They might almost be described as The Old Firm. Each has a great respect for the other and the play was reported as being rather slow. Close started well by taking the first two games. Dagley took the 3rd and 4th to level the scores and then went ahead with breaks of 87 and 61*. He looked like winning the next when he missed an easy cannon to let Close in - 3 all. Breaks of 101 in the 7th, 73 and 64 in 8th saw the Earl Shilton man into the semifinals.

B.Q.R. unfortunately has no details of this match. Our only comment is that John Murphy did exceptionally well to beat Ian Williamson, in fact anyone who beats Williamson has done well. The Leeds man is a very good player and does not easily give up. Well done Murphy.

A World Record

Geet Sethi took just 75 minutes to beat Michael Ferreira and establish a World Record for a short-format tournament of 5 unfinished centuries in 5 games. The breaks were 147,128, 152, 152, and 144. The shortest game took just under 10 minutes and the longest only 23 minutes. His opponent could muster only 127 points against such form. Ferreira confirmed how hard Sethi has worked on improving his technique and said how much he had enjoyed watching Geet play against Foldvari. He also said, "It was considerably less fun being on the receiving end." Sethi claimed that his new stance has helped him to strengthen his basic technique, "Now I've become technically a correct player," he said. If Sethi's previous achievements were attained with an imperfect method then Heaven help us! There can be few players who would not settle for being able to perform like Sethi even before he became, "Technically correct."

This game was in some contrast to the first Semi taking three-and-a-half hours. Although the first game was close (150 -141) Dagley appeared to be his usual relaxed self as he cruised to a 3 -0 lead. Murphy had other ideas and fought back tenaciously to reduce the margin to 3 - 2 The young Hartlepool professional then experienced what so many players before him have experienced, i.e. Dagley stepping up his game with a big break at a crucial moment. He took the sixth game 150 - 0 and moved to 4 - 2. Murphy made a valiant effort in the seventh but Dagley held on (150 -135) to reach yet another world ranking final.

The Indian started by taking the first three games (two century breaks), Dagley the fourth, and Sethi the fifth (120 break.) Norman had a 120 in the sixth, Sethi another century in the seventh to lead 5-2. The Indian took the eighth to lead 6 -2. Dagley made a big effort in the ninth with a 151* only to see Sethi make yet another century (140) at his second visit in the tenth. Breaks of 54 and 49* gave him the eleventh and the Title by eight games to three. Bob Close is reported as saying, "Geet was the outstanding player of the week and it was fitting that he should win the title." Dagley, who had played pretty well himself commented, "All credit to Geet, he was playing extremely well."

He sure was.

Radiant Grand Slam - Second Leg

Radion Plaza Club. Handsworth. Sheffield. December 3rd - 4th

The qualifying rounds for the second leg of the Radiant were played in Sheffield. Six Indian Professionals were entered five of whom played - the 1990 World Amateur Champion Manoj Kothari did not appear. It is not known whether or not Manoj's non-appearance had anything to do with the fact that he was drawn to meet Sethi in the first round. There was a second all-Indian clash, Ferreira - Patel. There are three Radiant tournaments in all, two are certain to be played in India and the third may be. It is understandable that the Indian players are not entirely happy with the fact that they have to travel half-way round the world to play a preliminary match, best-of-seven 150 up, in order to qualify for a tournament played (and sponsored) in their own country. It is even more understandable that they are decidedly un-chuffed when the draw pairs them one against the other. Ferreira and Patel could presumably have played one Saturday afternoon back in New Delhi or Bangalore! The fairness of this arrangement is questionable. From a financial point of view it borders on the lunatic. There must be a case for the Indians playing off for a proportionate number of places without having to travel. How many of the English professionals would be prepared to make the journey to India to play in qualifiers?

The Strachan U.K or the British Open are quite a different matter, as British tournaments participants would expect to play in England. All this is the view of the B.Q.R. Billiards enthusiasts should count themselves lucky that they do have the chance from time to time to watch the Indian players.

The 18-year-old Peterborough professional has made impressive progress recently and was a little too good for Dave Barton, though the Widnes boy took the first game with two nice breaks. (All scores show winner first)

Jack Fitzmaurice has played very little billiards over the last few years and it was no surprise that John Murphy won comfortably though Fitzmaurice took the first game.

Bob Close has been in very good form recently and was expected to win, the more so as this was Agarwal's first game as a professional and his first in England. The Indian took the opening game and had a fine 140* in the fifth. Otherwise Close was very much in control, but Agarwal is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

This turned out to be the longest match - five-and-a-quarter hours - and a few minutes longer than the Wildman/Caven encounter. It was a pretty dour struggle, Naisby's usual fluent style being negated by Everton's safety and determination to make the most of every opportunity at all costs. Naisby was given little chance in the deciding game as Everton laboriously built up two fifty breaks to take the match.

Devendra Joshi's first game as a professional and his first time in England resulted in a win over David Edwards. Edwards is a good player, on the fringe of world class, and Joshi can be well pleased with this result. He too will be a force to reckon with. It was a ding-dong struggle throughout and came to an exciting climax. The Welshman got a good start in the decider with a 94 and looked to be in control Joshi replied with a 104 and took the lead. The last points were clearly going to be a scramble. Joshi, needing a dozen or so, lost the white and found himself with the cue ball just behind the spotted red. Most players would have tried a very thin shot taking the white into baulk, but Joshi, displaying an admirable nerve and touch, cleverly played the white onto the red.

With the object balls left (purposely) slightly off straight the kiss cannon was by no means a certainty but Edwards, in hand, had no alternative. His attempt failed and the Indian won a match that neither player deserved to lose.

Roy Phillips drew one of the short straws and was quite outclassed. The Southend man tried his best and should really have won the second game.

This was always going to be a very difficult match for the Harrogate man but Williamson made it even more difficult by starting with three centuries. Hardcastle did well to get to 3-2 with some good breaks of his own, but a fourth century from the Leeds player saw Mm home.

This match took only a few minutes less than the Everton/Naisby clash. Wildman started well enough with two comfortable wins. He should have won the third but the Scotsman snatched it and then took the next two to go 3 - 2 up. Wildman, playing his finest match billiards for years, fought hard for the sixth, and ran out with an 83 in the seventh to take the match. John Caven is a good cueman, if he could get more competitive billiards he would develop into a very good player.

Fred Davis reeled off the first three games against this newcomer to the professional ranks. Teessider Dunn seemed overawed by the occasion and by Ms illustrious opponent. However, the young player showed what he could do in the fourth making a fine century before the ex World Champion finished Mm off with a 70* in the fifth.

Paul Cavney is primarily a snooker player. He is a very good cueman and put up a terrific struggle against the World Championship runner up who was perhaps not at his best.

The third of the new Indian professionals was unfortunate enough to be drawn against his vastly experienced fellow countryman. Nalin Patel has a cue action to be envied and, like Joshi and Agarwal, seems likely to make his mark on the professional game. His first match, in England, and against the almost legendary - in India - Michael Ferreira, was just a title too much for him though he did win the first game. Ferreira took the next three by which time Patel, having perhaps got over his initial stage-fright, made a fine 113* to go to 3 - 2. It was too late, a century from Ferreira finished it off.

The one that Des Heald won he should have lost and one that he lost he should have won. The fourth was lost because he misread the Scoreboard and played for position when only a score was needed. Hugh Nimmo played a very sound all-round game, there is no doubt that the professional experience is having a beneficial effect on his game.

Red ball specialist John Sinclair cannot possibly have expected such an easy game. David Rees is a good player and in a game with the B.Q.R. Editor just previous to the tournament had shown good form. At Sheffield, the Derby man could hardly put a dozen points together, and was clearly disappointed with his showing. Sinclair, gaining in confidence, finished with a good century break.

The games assumed a rather more important aspect, a place in the last eight, a trip to Goa, some prize money, were all at stake. There were going to be some hard matches.

An easy match for the World Champion? perhaps on paper, but Russell is no fool and played it hard. He knows that his young opponent is improving rapidly and was reminded of the fact as Chapman took the first game and should have had the third. The Peterborough man had lost the white but was in hand with the red near the top right pocket. Leading by 84, four scores from the red would have given him a 2 -1 lead. The shot was perhaps a little wide; the half ball stroke, which Chapman appeared to play with a touch of right hand side, took the red a shade thin cutting it to the left of the centre spot. Too thin and too slow. He missed the long loser. Russell gathered the balls at the top and ran out. From then on the Champion was in total control finishing the match with a 119 unfinished in something like his best style. Chapman should feel reasonably satisfied, to have even been near to a 2 -1 lead is something that not many players have achieved against Russell.

The shot that should have lead to Chapman taking a game from the World Champion. The red taken a little thin, leaving an awkward long loser which the Peterborough man missed. The consensus was that the red should have been taken fuller and played in and out of baulk to finish somewhere near "X" It would not have mattered too much had the red stayed in baulk.

Sethi carried on where he had left of in New Delhi. Three unfinished centuries gave him a rapid 3-0 lead and it looked like a fourth when he quite surprisingly broke down. Murphy made a battling 95 to reduce the arrears but yet another, "Game in one," finished the match.

Bob Close is in as good form as he has been for some time. Clive Everton is not. The match was over in less than a couple of hours with two centuries from the Hartlepool man.

The Indian gave Norman a bit of a shock with a 148 unfinished in the first game. He might have had the second but seemed to get a little excited at the prospect of a 2 - 0 lead over such an illustrious opponent. The third was also in the Indians grasp, the Englishman needing a 59 unfinished to win by a mere three. However, Dagley gradually took control and finished a comfortable winner. Joshi played well and made a very good impression.

This was the most exciting match of the event. The outcome was in doubt to the very end. Mark Wildman played his best game for years and can feel justly pleased in having got past his redoubtable opponent. Williamson is a hard man. The first game typified the whole match. Wildman, miles behind, made a great fighting 121 to level the scores. Some great safely shots and some great scoring shots saw Wildman needing 5 and Williamson 1. The Peterborough man scored a brilliant cannon from a safety shot. The balls ran just a little unkindly but offered an in-off which rattled the jaws and stayed out. Even then Williamson's winning shot was anything but easy. The Leeds man took the next with a 137 unfinished. Wildman then reached deep into his past to make some lovely breaks and take four games in a row for a wonderful win - but not before Williamson fought every inch of the way. Even the most diehard of billiards purists must admit that there is something to be said for the short-game format

Foldvari started with a 143 unfinished and Fred followed with a 96 - also unfinished. Foldvari went 2-1 with a, "total clearance," only to see Fred equalise with two 80s. With the veteran champion tiring Foldvari took command to book his seat on the plane.

Hugh Nimmo put Ferreira out of the recent World Championship in India but could not repeat the feat in Sheffield. Ferreira is having some cueing problems but there is little wrong with his close play and he was just too good for Nimmo this time The Scotsman had a chance in the second and should have won the third.

John Sinclair played hard and had a good century in the third but was generally outclassed as Gilchrist reeled of a good break in every game finishing a comfortable winner.

Goaing to Goa

B.Q.R, tipped Norman Dagley for the first leg. Dagley did reach the final. Sethi is certainly the man of the moment, but Russell will be anxious to show that his form of the first leg was a temporary aberration. Dagley is a very good short-game player. Bob Close has been in excellent form recently and many enthusiasts would be pleased if the popular Hartlepool professional could win a top event. Gilchrist has the game but is possibly too preoccupied with snooker these days to be at his billiards best. Foldvari, too, must come into the reckoning whilst Ferreira will certainly be trying. I hope Mark Wildman will not cancel his subscription if we put him no higher than about 10-1 against. Our three choices would be Sethi, Russell, Dagley in that order. We shall see.

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