The Darley Dale Invitation Tournament

The Royal Bank of Scotland Trophy

Russell wins again

29th November

It was that time of year once again. A short drive through the Derwent Valley ablaze with autumn colour, destination the Whitworth Institute billiard room. Going in there is to take a step back in time. The Whitworth room embodies the very spirit of what a billiards room should be and so rarely is. It requires but little imagination to visualise Roberts, Stevenson or Inman playing there. Those who were playing were not of quite such legendary billiards fame except perhaps for Norman Dagley, but were none-the-less players capable of producing billiards of a quality to match that of the old masters.

The invitees this year were Mike Russell, Bob Close, Norman Dagley, and Ken Shirley, all past winners of the trophy. They were to play a "Round Robin," games of fifty minutes duration, with the amateur player Ken Shirley receiving 75 start from the professionals. The winner would be the player taking most games; in the event of a tie on games then the player scoring most points would take the trophy.

Game 1: Russell v Close

The defending champion, Bob Close, got just about the worst start possible as Russell struck immediately with a break of 299 followed by 89. It is perhaps not an exaggeration to claim that the trophy was won for Russell in those two visits. In the event of a tied tournament one of the other players would have to have had a couple of extraordinary games to have beaten Russell's potential score after such a start. Close could hardly get a look in as the World No.2 piled on more points.

Game 2: Dagley v Shirley

This was a much less frenetic affair than the opener though both players had good 50 minute scores. There was not a lot in it Norman Dagley's typically relaxed break of 111 being the deciding factor.

Game 3: Close v Shirley

Ken Shirley played pretty well this time making breaks of 83 and 84 and held the lead for some time. But there is no justice; faced with a difficult position, Close's attempt at a cannon resulted in an in-off from which the Middlesbrough professional ran up a very solid 159 which saw the 1986 Amateur Champion to his second defeat.

After the third game there was an interval during which the ladies of the Whitworth Institute laid on a splendid tea. Players, referees, and spectators munched their way through mounds of delicious sandwiches and salads whilst discussing all the latest in the billiards world. Would the professional game find itself mainly based in India? would Russell regain the World Title? would we see a 300 break today? and many other such topics of absorbing interest to the enthusiast. After a leisurely hour or so everyone drifted back to the evocative atmosphere of the billiards room in anticipation of more fine billiards. They were not to be disappointed.

Game 4: Russell v Shirley

Russell missed one or two fairly easy-looking shots early on in the game. Ken Shirley built up a small lead but there was an air of inevitability about the proceedings and, sure enough, Mike Russell delighted the spectators with four century breaks in his second 500+ total - average time about six minutes per century. Russell looked more relaxed than of late and entertained the spectators with some beautiful recovery strokes at the spot-end when there were easier options.

Game 5: Close v Dagley

This was the tightest game of the day. These two have met dozens of times both as amateurs and professionals but can hardly ever have produced a more hard fought or entertaining game albeit a mere 50 minutes. Both players made a century, Dagley in his famous nonchalant fashion at the spot-end; Close a little more open and a little less precise but nevertheless billiards of high quality. The bell sounded with Norman in play and 20 behind.

Game 6: Russell v Dagley

For Bob Close to retain the title Norman Dagley had to beat Russell by about 500. Dagley at his very best would have found this a difficult 50 minute task against even an ordinary player let alone Russell. But the older player could not have had a better start. Russell's break, "kicked," leaving both balls in a reasonable position. Within three strokes Norman had them in his favourite postman's knock position. He broke down at 73. Russell missed and the Earl Shilton man immediately took the balls to the spot-end again breaking down at 59. The Dagley of some years ago would surely have had the best part of 300 points on the board from two such opportunities. The inevitable Russell century soon came and with not long to go there was little in it. Both men played some very clever safety shots. From one of these Dagley got in again but could not hold the table and finished the loser by 37. Russell thus became the Darley Dale Champion for the fourth time.

The BQR Editor presents Norman Dagley with his share of the prize money.

The honour of presenting the trophy and prizes was given to the BQR Editor who was delighted to oblige. After the presentation most of those present left only to meet up again a few minutes later just down the road at, "he Grouse"for drinks and a buffet supper.

The Darley Dale Trophy was originally presented by the Royal Bank of Scotland but all the money needed to run the tournament, provide prize money, tea and buffet, is raised by those great enthusiasts for the game Jim McCann and Malcolm Gregory. Some, of course, comes from ticket sales, but much more from various fund-raising efforts on the part of Jim and Malcolm.