The English Under 16 and Under 19 Championships, 1993

Teesside Winners - Widnes Runners-Up

Under 16 Billiards

Beak Prize Sponsored by F/Lt. Martin Goodwill R.A.F

Fine Play from Shutt

There were 14 entries including 9-year-old Robin Wilson who has recently increased his personal best to 36. It was generally agreed that Teessider Chris Shutt - a hundred break player - would take a lot of beating and this assumption eventually proved to be correct. It could be said that the other players were shut out. The overall standard was very good. Compare the one hour scores of these boys with a round of the ABC.

Young Wilson put up a good show losing by only 29. Chris Shutt scored his second 500+

Philip Johnson from Widnes began to find a little form. Shutt had his third 500+

Shutt entertains - and wins

Phil Johnson hardly got a look-in as Shutt rattled off a series of breaks including the day's highest of 90, to score a fourth 500+. Shutt is a typical product of the Teesside league. Very good cue action, excellent potter, able to play the standard shots but preferring to take the balls to the spot-end where he displayed a good knowledge of the play and a good touch. The purist would say that this kind of billiards is somewhat unsound and there might be some truth in this. However there is no gainsaying four consecutive scores of over 500 and, having watched such players as Gilchrist and Russell since they themselves were in the 16/17 age bracket, I can quite categorically say that this is exactly how they played billiards at that age. They are rather more orthodox now. In an odd sort of way it might be said that they learned billiards back to front. Players are supposed to be good at the red-ball and all-round game before venturing to the spot-end

Under 19 Billiards

Sponsored by Aughton, Ltd

Well Won Westthorp

There were 16 entrants some of whom had played in the Under 16 championship the previous week. Players who were expected to do well were defending champion Lee Lagan, the new Under 16 champion Chris Shutt, Amateur Championship semi-finalist Peter Sheehan, Paul Bennett, and Michael Westthorp. My own choice would have been Sheehan but it was Westthorp who took the title.

Close for Sheehan and Westthorp Eventual winner Westthorp had a very narrow win over fellow Teessider Paul Bennett. The other games were hard-fought but not so close.

Century Breaks

Peter Sheehan had the day's highest of 126 in a big win over Simon Stewart. Chris Shutt had a 121 and a couple of 50s but Westthorp, too, had a century, and snatched the game by just 6 points.

Westthorp Wins - Sheehan Disappoints

Fresh from a century in the semis, and with the recent experience of a semi-final in the Amateur itself, Peter Sheehan started as slight favourite. In the event it was Westthorp who took the honours for the North East with some exhilarating billiards characterised by quite brilliant potting. Here was yet another typical Teessider, good straight cueing, no time wasted in attempting to get the balls to the top and with the ability to make some when there. I can only repeat that whilst the purist may shake his head in sorrow at the impetuosity of youth, this is exactly how the 1989 - 1992 World Professional Champion developed his game. Peter Sheehan confessed to his disappointment at not having put up a better show than he did, but he is not 18 until August, and has still next year to show what he can do. He will not find it easy.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to present the prizes. I pointed out to the boys that these events do not just happen and that somebody somewhere has put in a great deal of hard work to make them happen. This year it was Messrs Hanson and Townend backed by their Area Reps, The organisation and refereeing was first class. In addition to the main prizes all the boys were presented with a certificate to mark their participation in the first National Under 19 championship to be held under the auspices of the new billiards organisation. I have often heard it said that billiards is dead - it doesn't look that way to me.