Amateur Billiards Circuit: Rugby

Fifth Event: 9th February, 1991

Rugby Snooker Centre

Goodwill Again Shelley reaches his fourth final

The season's fifth Amateur tournament was held at the Rugby Snooker Centre. This is a very good venue and was for some years the scene of an annual Mini-Prix, there has not been a Pro-Am for two years and, thanks to A.B.C., it was a pleasure to return. There were 42 entrants including all the top amateurs with the exception of David Causier. A very pleasing feature of the event was the re-appearance on the national billiards scene of David Burgess. B.Q.R, can claim some credit for this. A query as to his whereabouts in the 5th issue was brought to David's attention. This prompted him to make contact and he thus became aware of the A.B.C. and the Mini-Prix. Although going out in the first round to that fine player Terry Colby, David was on good enough form to take the plate. In the days when the Amateur Championship was dominated by Norman Dagley, David Burgess was described as the, "heir apparent." if he recovered his form of those days then he would be a serious challenger for the title.

There can be no complaints about either the club or the playing conditions and this fact combined with the location, (20 minutes or so from exit 19 of the M1,) make Rugby an ideal venue. All players will hope for future tournaments there.

Centuries for Goodwill and Done

The Amateur Champion had a fine 131 together with 76 and 65, whilst Merseyside Champion Tony Done added an 88 to his 101 but gained only a narrow victory over John Scott who had a 76. Ken Hobbs lost by just 10 to Brian Dix but Bill Andress ran into an avalanche of breaks from Brian Cousen and was well beaten. There were many 50 breaks reflecting the generally high standard of the playing conditions.

There were no great surprises. Ted Warren continued to show good form against Malc. Pilkington. A break of 96 ending in a miscue on an easy shot was just about the difference between Peter Shelley and the BQR editor. Dave Burgess's recent lack of top class competition showed as he went under to Terry Colby. Benny Veriato had two very nice seventy breaks.

Great effort from Warren, centuries from Goodwill and Shelley

Ted Warren put a great fight losing by only 26 to Martin Goodwill in spite of a 155 from the Champion. Brian Hoole did well to beat Ken Shirley - anyone who beats Shirley has done pretty well. Steven Whiteley had an 87 but was still a loser by just 8 points. Dennis McGuigan had a good game against Crosland losing by only 30, whilst there was a mere 25 between Malcolm Lax and Brian Harvey.

Goodwill runs riot. Best of the day from Dick Watts

John Barker had done well to reach the quarters but could only watch as Goodwill piled on break after break in a total of 582, this is approaching Russell type scoring. The day's highest of 186 came from veteran Dick Watts. Derek Townend described this break as, "superbly well-balanced and perfectly controlled". Peter Shelley only just made it - by 20.

More centuries for Goodwill and Shelley

Neither of the two winners could be said to have had an easy game - on paper. Billiards, however, is not played on paper and both Watts and Harvey suffered as their opponents took full advantage of every leave.

No stopping Goodwill

Martin Goodwill's third consecutive final saw him to a comfortable win over Peter Shelley making his fourth final appearance in five events. Goodwill's 135 was his fifth century of the day and was the difference between the two.

Both had played very well throughout the tournament. Derek Townend described Goodwill as a, "worthy winner."

Rugby Plate

There were no great upsets. Bill Andress topped the 200 mark and Alan Firth got well on the way. By contrast, Graham Willis and Paul Dunning, both good players, could manage respectively only 59 and 74, it happens to all of us.

Phil Welham had of fine total of 213. Dave Burgess began to find his feet with breaks of 65 and 75 at the spot end.

Fine performance by John Hills. Welham by one

John Hills had a break of 54 and followed this with 129 unfinished for a great half-hour total of 262, no wonder Andy Reeve could score only 21. A search through the records might show this result as both all time high and all time low. Phil Welham pipped the redoubtable Bill Andress by just one in a desperate finish and despite a 54 from the Devon man.

Both games were close with margins of 28 and 31 for a double first. John Hills for his first plate final and David Burgess in a final in his first A.B.C.

Burgess was generally in command and finished a fairly comfortable winner. Both players could be well satisfied with their day's billiards.

Another very good, very enjoyable tournament. The standard was perhaps the best ABC yet with 9 centuries and 75 breaks between 50 and 100. This can only be for the good of the game, attendances and standards will inevitably improve. The ABC must become an important part of an integrated and coordinated billiards season. BQR makes no excuses for saying yet again - Thank you Derek Townend.

---