ABC: 1993-1994

Amateur Billiards Circuit: Fifth Event (Pro-Am)

Atack Snooker Centre Nuneaton

January 9th

The fifth ABC of the season stayed in the Midlands and was held at the home club of Norman Dagley. Enthusiasts were disappointed that Norman was unable to play. The great man's absence was more than compensated for by the presence of Mike Russell, Peter Gilchrist, rising star Roxton Chapman, and David Edwards, amongst the professionals, together with many top amateur players including Martin Goodwill, Brian Harvey, and Steve Crosland.

Derek Townend expressed his satisfaction at the turnout of 51 players. Those players who were not involved in the first round naturally gravitated to where Mike Russell was making his first appearance in an ABC pro/am event. They did not have long to wait. A couple of seventies served as warm-up efforts before the world No.2. produced a faultless break of 528 in which the Mighty Mike delighted the spectators with a beautiful display of his own particular brand of spot-end magic. Russell went out in the quarters to Steve Crosland in somewhat controversial circumstances leaving the way clear for Roxton Chapman to take his first pro-am first prize.

A Record Break and some Close Games

Though the highlight of the first round was the superb 528 by Mike Russell there were other fine efforts, notably 205 from Roxton Chapman and 169 from Martin Goodwill. Branson Hoole was a 15 point winner over Kevin Payne, Brian Harvey prevailed by a mere 9 against Robin Sutcliffe, whilst Richard Ingrams beat John Hills by only 12. There were good wins for Ken Hobbs and particularly for Ritchie Evans against Chris Ross. It proved to be just beyond David Edwards to concede 100 to Brian Dix.

Two Centuries for Orton

A couple of years ago Alan Orton was not recognised as being amongst the top amateur players. He is now, two centuries against Jim Temple showed just how much he has improved his game. Russell, Gilchrist, and Chapman all scored centuries. Ron Whitten put up a good show against Martin Goodwill. The closest game was that in which Alan Marsden beat Ross Porter by just 3 points.

Centuries from Chapman. Good win for Shirley

Roxton Chapman overwhelmed ex amateur champion Martin Goodwill making two fine centuries in the process. There was an excellent win for Ken Shirley over Peter Gilchrist though in fairness it must be said that the professional had his mind elsewhere, i.e. Blackpool and the World Snooker qualifying match he had to play the following day. However most players would reckon it to be a good performance to beat Gilchrist even if the Middlesbrough man were playing a snooker tournament on the next table at the same time!

Controversial Russell Exit

Towards the end of his game with Steve Crosland, a game in which the World No.2 had made a break of 132, the referee said that there was an error on the board and the game was stopped for a few seconds whilst this was corrected. After the correction, Russell, who had to that point thought himself coasting to victory, found himself, with Crosland in play, in a losing situation. It was not made absolutely clear as to what the error had been. Russell made his protest but his sportsmanship is beyond question (as is Crosland's) and he accepted the referee's decision with as good grace as possible under the circumstances. Ken Shirley could not maintain the impetus he had found against Gilchrist and went out to Chapman who was playing excellent billiards and, with the elimination of both Russell and Gilchrist, was now a fairly hot favourite for the first prize.

Comfortable for Chapman

Bill Andress received 50 from Roxton Chapman and is a good enough player to have given the young Peterborough professional a run for his money. But he spent most of the game as a spectator as Chapman piled up the score including a 164 - his fifth century of the day. It is usually a close game between Harvey and Crosland and it was the west-countryman's turn to win this time.

Chapman's First Pro-Am

Roxton Chapman scored 411 points in the hour at an average of 22.8 and this was too good for Brian Harvey (Rcv.50) but who did not do badly at all to return an average of 14.0. At one stage Chapman made a run of 20 nurseries along the top cushion and broke down attempting to turn the corner. He could easily have tapped in the red to carry on for a century break. Chapman is rapidly establishing himself as one of the world's top players. This was his first win in a pro/am and he will be right amongst the favourites in future events.

Nuneaton Plate

Good start for Edwards

Welsh Professional David Edwards had not had too good a game in the first round of the main competition but was a firm favourite to win the plate as his first half-hour total of 210 showed. Kevin Payne got past John Hills by a single point.

Edwards by not many

David Edwards found Kevin Payne a hard opponent and only just got through, whilst his fellow professional Des Heald could not quite concede 50 to Harry Willis and so completed the double of first game exits. Tom Terry was not expected to beat Chris Ross but had a bit of luck.

Terry Muffs It

Dick Watts, though in the veteran stage, does not give up easily. The BQR editor lead all the way only to fail at an extraordinarily simple pot to let the Taunton man in for a rapid thirty break and a win by 7. Both David Edwards and Ellis Lloyd had fine half-hour totals.

Comfortable for Watts and Edwards

Both winners got through by larger margins than might have been expected - that it sometimes the way of it.

Edwards Again

This was a repeat performance by the Welsh professional of his plate win at Widnes in which he scored 464 and had a break of 172. This time he scored more but his top break was a few less. Dick Watts played up well but did not have too many opportunities. Well played Edwards.

Amateur Billiards Circuit: Sixth Event

Huntingdon 147 Snooker Centre

February 13th

Billiards made a welcome return to the 147 Centre at Huntingdon where a record total of 57 players (all amateur) turned out. David Causier was again an absentee, and, unusually, Brian Harvey. The Bridgwater nurseryman quite clearly could not be away from his business the day before St. Valentine's. Huntingdon is a little off the beaten track but is nevertheless a popular venue attracting many players from the Eastern Counties where there are strong billiards leagues. The playing conditions at Huntingdon have always been pretty good all round with the tables having pockets, "Cut," to accommodate the modern snooker player. Veterans of the Mini-Prix may recall that it was at the, "147," almost exactly four years ago that Russell scored the phenomenal total of 4319 points at an average of 720 points per game with breaks of 523, 442, two double centuries, and 10 other centuries. He averaged 74.8 in the final to beat no less a player than Norman Dagley. It was in that tournament that Ken Shirley made a break of 199 unfinished against Russell and was yet beaten almost out of sight. Nothing quite like that happened this time round but eight players topped the century with 187 from Martin Goodwill being the best of the day. Veteran Doncaster player Walter Reed mentioned that he would be out of action for a month or two as he had to go into hospital for an operation. All billiard players will wish him a speedy recovery.

Good Scoring

A score of 300 or more in an hour is quite reasonable for the average amateur player. Many players achieved this. Martin Goodwill, Dennis McGuigan, and Steve Crosland scored century breaks and there were many fifties. Ron Whitten had made the long journey from the North-East only to go out by 17 to Albert Beard who had himself travelled a fair distance. David Atack could count himself even more unfortunate as he lost to Phil Davis by just one; these two had also made longish journeys. It is enthusiasts like these who are in many ways the backbone of the game.

A Great match

The match between Albert "Snowy" Salisbury of Peterborough, and Malcolm Lax of Rugby turned out to be one of the best ever A.B.C. matches. Salisbury was soon into his stride with a fine 151. Lax fought back with a 116, a break which included 20 pendulum cannons made in the middle of the top cushion, and took the lead. Salisbury edged in front once again and hung on to win by 24. He considered himself fortunate not to have been beaten.

Goodwill had two centuries against Phil Davies including the day's best of 187. This break came to an end as Goodwill, in full flow at the spot end, missed a dead-strength cannon with the object balls not six inches apart. Phil Welham had a very nice 116 and Chris Ross a 103. Albert Beard was on the wrong end of a close finish this time losing to Mike Phillips by just 3, whilst Arthur Reeve fell by 8 to the Taunton veteran Dick Watts.

Welham Makes a Century and Loses

It is not often that an amateur makes a century in a one-hour game and loses. Phil Welham had an excellent 114 against Goodwill but was still well beaten. David Burgess, now living near Portsmouth, was showing form reminiscent of that which put him amongst the country's leading amateurs a decade ago, and had a comfortable win over Alan Orton - no mean opponent.

Two Centuries for Burgess. Excellent win for Bennett

Andy Reeve had played well to get this far but found himself up against it as Burgess made two very good century breaks and was well on the way to a third as the bell sounded. Teesside Boys League player Paul Bennett did exceptionally well to get past Albert Salisbury.

Well Played Bennett

The 18-year-old Bennett put up a great show against the twice amateur champion and led by 69 with not too much time remaining. But he could only watch as Goodwill gathered the balls at the spot end and played out time with 160 unfinished to reach his first ABC final of the season. Dave Burgess had a good win over the remarkably consistent Steve Crosland. So far this season the Yorkshire champion has been a finalist three times and a semi-finalist twice.

Goodwill by a Whisker

Martin Goodwill narrowly won his first tournament of the season after trailing for almost all of the game and being 20 points behind with very little time left. The leave fell to the RAF man who seized his chance to play out time with a 56 to win by 32. Both men had played extremely well throughout the day and both must feel confident of doing well in the amateur championship.

Huntingdon Plate

Close Matches

There were the usual crop of close games the narrowest margin being that by which Kevin Payne beat Ritchie Evans by 2.

Shukle does Well

14-year-old Previn Shukle, a Teesside Boys League player, did well to get through against the vastly experienced Jock McGregor who himself had done well to get through the first round. Tom Terry should easily have had a century but was let down, yet again, by his inability to think properly.

Ellis Lloyd was just a little too good for Shukle but the youngster's day will come.

Lloyd's Fine Form

The BQR had been playing well enough to have entertained hopes of getting to the final. Ellis Lloyd had other ideas and played very well indeed to win comfortably. There was little between to choose between the other semi-finalist Steven Whitely just getting through.

A Good win for Lloyd

Ellis Lloyd continued his fine form to win comfortably though Whiteley made the highest break of the game. Well done Ellis.

Amateur Billiards Circuit: Seventh Event (Pro-Am)

Morley Snooker Centre

Sponsored By West Riding Motor Auctions

March 13th

Quadruple Centuries

The seasons seventh event took place at the Morley Snooker Centre, best known for the fact that it was there that Joe Johnson practised for several years before he became World Snooker Champion. The tournament attracted 52 players including 6 professionals amongst whom were the world's Nos 2, 3, and 4, respectively Mike Russell, Robby Foldvari, and Peter Gilchrist. Rising star Roxton Chapman was also present. Most of the country's top amateur players turned up but once again Brian Harvey was absent as the event clashed with Mother's Day. The last tournament clashed with St. Valentine's. A man whose living depends on selling plants and flowers cannot afford to be away playing billiards on such days, hard luck Brian, you'd better have a word with Derek Townend.

There was some magnificent play. Seven players scored century breaks and there were many other meritorious efforts. The highlights of the day were two quadruple centuries. Peter Gilchrist scored a wonderful 465 failing at a relatively easy stroke. This effort took the highest break prize - but only just and only by a matter of seconds - the seconds needed for Roxton Chapman to score the necessary couple of pots which would have topped it by a single point. Roxton had to be satisfied with his fine achievement of 460 unfinished. Morley is a very good and easily accessible venue. There are over twenty tables and this means that the tournament can move smoothly and without the early rounds overlapping. I have yet to attend a tournament where the players have not been made to feel most welcome and Morley was no exception.

On a very personal note the B.Q.R. Editor was particularly glad to be there watching the billiards and playing in the plate. It is a pleasure to be doing almost anything after one's car bonnet flies open when doing 65mph on the motorway. The one consolation was that the consequent late arrival at least ensured that I avoided the possibility of having to face the Mighty Mike, or the Australian Steamroller, or Galloping Gilchrist - and I suppose - I should add Rapidly Rising Roxton!

Good Start by Causier

Neil Rewhorn has been tipped by this magazine as a potential top amateur but, though receiving 50, he was well beaten by Amateur Champion David Causier who had two centuries. There was the usual crop of close games the closest ones being those in which Brian Dix beat Arthur Johnson by a mere 3 points, and Graham Willis beat Ron Colin by 4. Martin Goodwill had a century but Chapman, Gilchrist, and Foldvari were all at this stage somewhat subdued.

Goodwill Beaten

Martin Goodwill was beaten by young Teessider Darren Kell, and not for the first time. The 19-year-old Teessider put out the former English Champion in last season's Spalding ABC. Mike Russell started his campaign with a couple of centuries against Ellis Lloyd, Gilchrist had a big century, Chapman had the first of his five of the day. Bradford amateur Mark Hirst, who at one time entertained thoughts of turning Pro, just missed a hundred break against that capable Derbyshire player Malcolm Gregory.

Russell Out; Sensational scoring by Gilchrist

Foldvari was first in against Russell with a 129. He was soon in again with a 105. Anyone who has seen Russell play will know that he is not one to give in lightly, and at his first real opportunity he scored a 168. It was, for him, not enough. To the disapproval of some spectators Foldvari slowed the game down and finished a fairly comfortable winner. Whilst this struggle was going on, Gilchrist was enjoying life. The genial Middlesbrough man started with a 117, followed with a 210, and continued with a wonderful effort of 465 breaking down at a relatively easy cannon. This break was a typical Gilchrist effort. Top-of-the-Table at its best. Two pots to the cannon with an assured touch and at a rapid pace. Peter must surely be in the running to add the UK to his British Open Titles of a year or two ago. All this scoring still left time for his opponent, Chris Shutt, to play out time with 72. Darren Kell gave Causier a very good run for his money losing by mere 31

Great Billiards. Chapman 460 Unfinished

ABC regulars, not to mention veterans of the Mini-Prix, have seen some remarkable games. This Morley quarter-final becomes one of them. Chapman - Causier, will be remembered for a long time by those privileged to see it. After some safety play the amateur champion got in with breaks of 82 and 67. Some smaller items saw him leading 184 - 16. Astonishingly he did not get another visit. Chapman kept the table with a wondrous break of 460 unfinished, failing by just a few seconds to beat Peter Gilchrist's 465. Roxton Chapman has a rather idiosyncratic cue action, it looks all wrong and would no doubt be frowned upon by the purists and by the snooker coaches. But make no mistake about it, this boy can play top class billiards and is a remarkably good potter - and not just in the billiards sense. He is able to, "Get in," with brilliant pots, in a manner reminiscent of the young Russell -and there can be no higher praise than that. Furthermore, in more-or-less a lifetime of playing and watching the game, the BQR Editor has seen no-one with a more refined touch at the spot-end, and that includes a lot of players. Roxton Chapman may - or may not - become World Champion, but he has without any reservations been added to the list of those very few players who would tempt me to travel very far to watch - or play.

Steve Hardcastle, whose professional career has, in my opinion, been dogged by misfortune, made a very nice 149 but was still a loser to Foldvari. Gilchrist was assuming his unstoppable manner, whilst Bill Andress reached his first semi for some time.

Chapman turns the Tables

It is not for nothing that this magazine often refers to Robby Foldvari as the, "Australian Steamroller," and anyone who has suffered at his hands - and their numbers are legion - will fully understand why. This time it was his turn to suffer as Chapman left him a series of double-baulks and then, getting the better of the safety exchanges, ran a break of 270 looking as if he would never break down. His delicacy of touch on the spot-end cannon was such that the referee had to stand very close to ensure that the cannon had actually been made The Peterborough player broke down at a cannon with the object balls only inches apart and the referee standing right over the balls. Foldvari is a great modern billiard player and a fine cueman but this time he could only sit and watch.

Bill Andress had had his best tournament for quite a time but, though making three half-centuries, was quite out-classed.

Gilchrist takes Advantage

Both finalists had played great billiards throughout the tournament and the final always seemed likely to be a question of who could get in first. It turned out to be the genial Middlesbrough man who took full advantage of the best of the leaves to run breaks of 173 and 119 and take a big lead. Chapman replied with a 113 only to see Gilchrist, "Hold," the table and eventually play out time with 87 unfinished. It was a pleasure and a privilege to see these two players in action. In six hours play Gilchrist scored 3,044 points at an average of 507 per game with breaks of 465, 210, 183, 183, 173, 151, 136, 134, 119, and 117. Chapman scored 2,314 - an average of 386 per game with breaks of 460*, 270, 113, 106, 101. The younger player is not yet in the class of the Teessider from the point of view of consistent and fluent scoring -but no-one would bet very much against him getting to that level and before not very long.

Morley Plate

There were no great surprises in the first round. The best breaks were 66 by John Murphy and 55 by Ron Whitten.

Century for John Murphy

John Murphy had a break of 137. The young Hartlepool professional will play in the forthcoming U.K. Professional Championship and is then to decide whether or not to revert to amateur status. He would be a welcome addition to the ranks but will find amateur standards rather higher than they were at the time he turned pro. Ron Whitten should have beaten the BQR Editor but failed at the simplest of pots with only a minute or two to go. Hardly a plate is played but that someone wins by a single point. This time it was Graham Willis who suffered at the hands of Geoff Barratt.

Tom Terry led Jim McCann throughout the game only to be pipped on the post as the Derbyshire champion played out time with 67 unfinished. John Murphy was just a little too good for Ellis Lloyd.

Excellent win for McCann

Jim McCann did well to beat his professional opponent - and by much more than the start. Murphy's form was patchy and he is clearly out of practice.