ABC 1994-1995

Amateur Billiards Circuit: First Event, September 11th. 1994

The Guildford Open

for the Jack Nihell Trophy

The Ritz Snooker Club Guildford

Sponsored by The Ritz Snooker and Corals Turf Accountants

The first ABC event of the season was held at Guildford, was sponsored to the tune of £345, was played in an exceedingly good venue, but attracted only nineteen runners. Most of the country's leading amateur players had not entered, and there was no contingent from the northeast. The BQR Editor was absent for personal reasons. The reasons may lie in the time of year, it is still the holiday season, there may be geographical reasons - more and more people fight shy of the M25, perhaps there was not enough publicity, who knows? But for those who were there it was a great day's billiards with prizes available to some players who have never before been fortunate enough to, "get into the money." Perhaps this confidence booster will enable them to get into it a bit more often.

A Favourite falls at the First

Two of the most fancied entrants, Bill Andress and John O'Neill, were drawn together, Billy winning by the shortest of heads - two points. Dick Watts, happily recovered from illness, was back in harness and made a break of 80 which turned out to be the day's highest.

Good Start for Hedley

Jack Hedley, the eventual winner, made a good start with a couple of seventies. Travelling companions Watts and Andress both had comfortable victory, at this stage it was well on the cards that they might meet in the final.

Tournament Promoter Beaten

Derek Townend made a rare appearance in one of his own tournaments and, looking at the results, it is tempting to suggest that he should perhaps stick to running things. In fact Derek is a fair performer. Carrying the horse racing analogy a little further, maybe he had been, "got at." (Sorry Derek, couldn't resist it!). Watts and Andress kept on course for a meeting in the final, Andress having a good game to get past the experienced Chris Ross. Jack Hedley was playing very consistently.

Waterloo for Watts and Andress

The Duke of Wellington remarked that the famous battle had been a, "damned close-run thing" and so were these semi-finals. Billy Andress was ousted by just 21, and Chris Mitchell got through by a mere 12. The prospect of an all West-Country final was thus thwarted. Well done the winners.

Another Close-Run Thing

Neither player performed as well as in previous rounds. This often happens. Both players were understandably a little nervous at reaching an ABC final and they were not helped by the fast speed of the excellent match table. Jack Hedley just managed to hold his game together slightly the better of the two to win by only 15 points.

Guildford Plate

Young Player's First Win

With such a low turnout it was decided to play plate matches over an hour rather than the usual half-hour. Thirteen year old Dean Bavister won his first match since starting on the ABC last season. He did very well to score nearly 300 and to beat the experienced Dave Runsam. D. Bavister 291 - D. Runsam 128.

Youngster loses to Oldster

But by only six points. Dean was not able to score as fluently as in his previous match and was just beaten by the redoubtable Jock McGregor who thus reached his first semi for some time. It was very close between Albert Beard and Norman Wallace.

Jock makes a Break

Jock McGregor knocked up a very nice fifty break but could not restrain John O'Neill who romped home by a good few lengths. Brian Dix found the going tough against Albert Beard but made it by something in the region of a, "nose."

Yet Another Close Finish

Neck and neck into the home straight, a photo finish, Brian Dix might have used the whip a little more but probably did not wish to provoke an enquiry. Whatever, it was a jolly good match with John O'Neill getting home by just four points. Hard luck Brian. It is rather appropriate that a tournament which had some sponsorship from Corals should have a winner with the name of J. O'Neill.

Derek Townend writes:-