Amateur Billiards Circuit: Scarborough

6th Event. March 22nd, 1992

Scarborough Marlboro Snooker Centre

Hirst and Causier contest the Final Favourites falter It was an ABC first in that neither Martin Goodwill nor Peter Shelley reached the final. There were plenty of other top amateur players who made rather quick exits including Bill Andress, Ken Shirley, and Tony Mackinder. The turnout was boosted by a large entry from Teesside, 48 players took part, the best ABC entry yet. There can be little doubt that the ABC is going to go from strength to strength and, with the demise of the B&SCC, will play an increasingly important part in the amateur game.

Derek Townend reports:-

"Raiders from the North-East descended on Scarborough on Sunday, 22nd March, in quest of the booty available at the Marlboro Snooker Centre. The Teessiders did well for themselves but were unable to take the top prize. Eighteen young players, all products of Albert Hanson & Co's Teesside Boys League, provided some exciting billiards and some strong competition.

The final was eventually contested by two of the most talented young cuemen in the country, the somewhat deliberate style of Bradford's Mark Hirst contrasting strongly with the flamboyance of Cleveland's David Causier. There were no big breaks in a hard fought final which was not decided until the last few minutes as Hirst played out time with an unfinished break of 60. It was gratifying and very encouraging that over 40 spectators watched the final, it reminded me of old times at the game. There were some good breaks the best being a 174 by newcomer Gary Britton of Middlesbrough. Plate winner Sharif Shauq displayed an excellent match temperament."

Thanks Derek, I'm sorry I had to miss this one.

Veteran Dick Watts ran smack into the day's highest of 174 by Gary Britton who also had a 61. The closest game was that in which Bill Watson beat Ken Shirley by just 3 points.

David Causier and Robin Sutcliffe both had centuries, Martin Goodwill had two. There were some very close finishes. Alf Crampin went out by 2 points and Steven Whiteley by only 17 against Bill Andress. Jim Murphy lost to Nick Hayward by just 36 after Hayward had a 75 and a 56. Nick Hayward has not appeared at a national tournament for some time. A few years ago he was a fairly regular Mini-Prix player and was one of a group of who descended from Teesside and quite dramatically changed the whole face of the game in the late eighties. In addition to Hayward this group included John Murphy, Peter Gilchrist, and Mike Russell.

Robin Sutcliffe lost some of his momentum whilst Hayward kept his with a good win over Bill Andress. Causier topped the 500 mark again. The best win of the round was that of Mark Hirst in overcoming Amateur Champion Martin Goodwill in a low scoring game.

Hayward went out this time after a dour struggle with Mark Hirst. Causier had another good score whilst Peter Shelley, despite a break of 87, was comfortably beaten by Bill Watson. This was the first time in an ABC event that Shelley had not reached at least the semi-final.

Mark Hirst reached his first ABC final after a tough game with Crosland. Bill Watson had a couple of fifties but Causier's rate of scoring was too much for him

Mark Hirst effectively put the stoppers on David Causier with some astute safety and some carefully compiled runs in the twenties and thirties. Oddly enough Hirst's winning score of 345 was his highest total of the day. Causier's 231 was by far his lowest. There was not a lot in it until the end when the Yorkshireman played out time with 60 unfinished. Mark Hirst does not have the attractive style of some of the more dashing players but he has a solid game and has worked hard for his successes which include Mini-Prix wins over Russell. David Causier has a consistent record in the ABC and his first win cannot be long delayed.

Scarborough Plate

The Reeves seem to be getting on the end of some plate hammerings. Rugby saw Andy score only 21 against John Hills whilst here at Scarborough Andy's father Arthur could muster only 29 as Tony Mackinder rattled up a 116 and a 54. It's not as if the Reeves can't play - these things happen.

Like father like son as Tony Mackinder disposed of Andy though some family honour was retrieved with a fifty break.

Phil Johnson had his best plate win ever as he put out Dick Watts whilst Phil's father went under to yet another Teesside prospect - Sharif Shauq.

Three of the games were extraordinarily close with winning margins of 2, 3, and 5. The fourth game was decided by 42 which is not a lot where Ken Shirley is involved.

Shauq beat Ken Shirley with a score of 252 in a half-hour match - and it's doubtful if there is any other player who could make such a claim. Lee Beck did well to get past Jim Murphy who, BQR feels, is a much improved player.

Two new faces for a plate final. Shauq had perhaps just the best of the running and took full advantage to win by exactly 100 points.

Another excellent day's billiards from the A.B.C. which the BQR Editor is sorry to have missed.