Mini-Prix 1992 - 93

Great Win for the English Amateur Champion David Causier upsets the Professionals

1992/93 Second Event: January 17th

Spondon Snooker Centre

Sponsored by Rees Bros, Derby

The season's second Mini-Prix event took place at the Spondon Snooker Centre, as it did last year, was sponsored by Derby Professional David Rees, as it was last year, and was supported by 50 players including 13 professionals. This tournament was to be the last Pro-Am of the season. The future of the Mini-Prix is unsure for reasons which have been extensively discussed in the BQR. The reasons may be summed up on one word - cash. Whether or not the series will resume as the recession ends remains to be seen. Times have changed since the best days of the Mini-Prix and there are now other factors involved. That the Derby event took place at all is thanks to David Rees who decided to go ahead when a change of starting date for the U.K. - and a re-arrangement of a Radiant Grand Slam event, - might have caused the absence of the top five or six leading players. As it happened the Radiant was postponed yet again and so Russell/Gilchrist and Co were able to compete at Spondon though the first prize was destined elsewhere.

Surprise win for Terry. Well done Karen

The BQR Editor took the news that he had been drawn to play Peterborough professional Roxton Chapman with an air of philosophical resignation and began to make mental preparation for a good run in the plate. But every dog must have his day and helped by the fact that Roxton played what must be the worst game he has ever played Terry managed to get through. Lady professional player Karen Corr, also of Peterborough, put in a welcome appearance. Karen had a bad draw but scored a creditable 179 points against the great Norman Dagley. Sponsor David Rees went out by just twenty to fellow professional John Murphy.

Two centuries from Russell. Big score from Causier

Mike Russell started his campaign with two centuries against Jamie Moore - an improving young player from Nottingham. David Causier rattled up an ominous 500+ total against Derbyshire player Malcolm Gregory. There just had to be one of those results, only one in the game between Alan Orton and Dick Watts.

Norman shows his class

Norman Dagley demonstrated just why he is worth going a long way to watch as he stroked two beautiful century breaks against Alan Orton who is no mean opponent. Eddie McNicholas is playing well these days and gave Causier more than a run for his money only a timely 89 break saving the young Teessider. Twice Amateur Champion Martin Goodwill was overwhelmed by Russell who looked as if he would never stop scoring. Robby Foldvari made his presence felt with the day's highest of 247, it is sometimes hard to work out why Foldvari ever breaks down at all such is his technique and concentration.

Causier makes his move

David Causier had a fine win over Robby Foldvari in, what was for them, a low scoring match. Only 60 minutes play true, but anyone who beats Foldvari at anything over whatever distance, can be well satisfied. Tom Terry had had a reasonable tournament but was brushed aside by Russell, whilst Clive Everton did well to beat Bob Close. The best match was that between Dagley and Gilchrist the older player prevailing by only 37.

Causier Cock-a-Hoop

The amateur champion was riding high. Very few players have ever thrown caution to the winds against Russell and survived to tell the tale. Causier did just this and, favoured by a sympathetic run of the balls, went out for his strokes in a cavalier fashion that was reminiscent of the way Russell himself played in the days of his youth. The twice professional champion fought grimly but was unable to contain Causier this time. Russell should be well worth watching the next time these two meet! Clive Everton held Dagley until near the end of the game when the ex-World Champion settled the matter with a typically relaxed and artistic 171.

Triumph for Causier

David Causier started where he had left off against Russell, 27 at his second visit, 79 at his third (missed an easy loser,) and 102 at his sixth. But wait a minute, this is Norman Dagley, he has seen all this kind of thing many times before. The spectators settled back, smiled, and waited for Norman first to put the brakes on and then to accelerate. It didn't happen. Causier continued to rattle up the points whilst the older and vastly more experienced player could manage no better than a top break of 29 and an average of just over 6. Whilst one hardly dares to question such a player as Dagley, there were those amongst the spectators who wondered if, on a couple of occasions, the great man might just have played a different stroke to the one he did play. All this is as maybe. From memory, the only amateurs to have ever won a Mini-Prix, are John O'Neill and the late Joe Jordan (In the early days,) Tony Done, and Brian Harvey (with the breed of young professionals in the field.) Fine performances, but Causier's effort at Derby in taking out Foldvari, Russell, and Dagley, must rate as one of the best ever performances in the history of the series.

Spondon Plate

Fine break from Shelley. Battle of the giants

Those two much travelled enthusiasts Ivan Stevenage and Jock McGregor fought a no-holds-barred game of attrition. These two are not unlike a latter day Inman and Reece - without the enmity. Jock with his Inman-like all-round game whilst Ivan favours the nurseries. It was Jock's turn this time. Peter Shelley had a very nice 107.

Harvey shows good form

Brian Harvey had a good win over Yorkshireman Richard Lodge - one of that county's best players. Shelley, McCann, and Chapman all came through fairly comfortably.

Hard Luck McCann

Jim McCann was perhaps just a shade unfortunate to lose by a mere 5 points but Harvey was showing something more like his west-country form. Roxton Chapman had a good half-hour against Peter Shelley.

Well done Harvey

This was a good match the deciding factor being a timely break of 80 by Harvey. The Bridgwater man must be relieved to have returned to his winning ways whilst for Roxton there was the satisfaction of salvaging something from, for him, a poor day.