Overseas

Australia

Victoria Under-15

The highest break was just 33 by Separovich, but a combined two hour total of 834 is good for two boys under 15 - look at many of the ABC totals!

Victoria Billiards

The George Gray Memorial Trophy

There were nine entrants. The winner, Aaron Mahoney made the highest break - 60. Defeated finalist, Tim Walters, made two 50 breaks.

The Reg Martin Memorial Tournament

Old Rivals contest Final

Two of Australia's best players, old rivals Joe Millen and Joe Minici met in the final of this event which attracted an entry of twenty-one players. Minici, the defending champion, had held the trophy for the last two years but was defeated this time. A series of Round robins were played off with the top four players contesting semi-finals and final.

Semi-Finals

Final

The highest break of the tournament was 134 by Andrew MacPherson. Joe Minici and Tod Hayward both had centuries. Hayward is reported as having played some excellent billiards.

The Rooty Hill RSL Handicap

Fred Attard wins again

There were twenty-six entrants for this event. The double elimination system combined with the handicapping threw up some unexpected results. The defending champion, Fred Attard, battled his way through to the semi-final losing only one game. Steve Hall reached the final being undefeated after 6 games, and lost to Attard by a mere 6 points.

Joe Minici, despite a double and three other centuries, could not make it this time.

Minici had breaks of 213, 119, 109, and 104. Todd Hayward had a break of 114.

David Collins: Australian Championship Winner

Billiards: Australian Championship winner 1990,1991,1994. Runner-up -1987,1992,1993. World championship competitor -1987,1990.

Snooker: Australian Championship winner -1991 World Championship competitor -1988,1991 (Last 16) In addition to this, David has won numerous Victorian State titles. It is easy to understand from these results why he is widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders in cue sports in Australia. He also has a very impressive 8-ball pool record. In 1991 David became only the third player to win the Australian Billiards and Snooker title in the same year. The others were the legendary Bob Marshall in 1956, and Max Williams in 1971.

Collins's real expertise and artistry lies in billiards as is evidenced by his appearance in the final of the Australian championship for the past five years. David, along with his cousin George Gamin (7 times champion) and New South Welshman Phil Tarrant (6 times champion) is one of the three players who have dominated Australian Billiards for some years. They are all world class competitors who have enjoyed mixed international success. In competition against Geet Sethi in the 1987 World Championship in Ireland, David rattled in four centuries in the two-hour second session only to be well out-scored. David's match average of 23.2 was less than half that of Sethi who went on to win the event. Collins is a great admirer of the Indian player and bases his own game on Sethi's free scoring, attacking method of play. This has provided great entertainment for billiards enthusiasts making Collins possibly the most entertaining player we have.

Northern Ireland

Billiards International: N. Ireland 16 - Republic 14

In one of the closest matches ever between North and South, Northern Ireland came from 7-8 down overnight to win 16 -14. The highlight of the match was a fine break of 156 by John McIntyre (N.I.) The match was played at the Westbury Snooker Club, Malahide. There were 5 senior and one junior player in each team. Each man played his opponent a game of 500 up plus three games of 150. Three points were awarded for a win in the long game, whilst the 150s were played for a point a game. The junior match did not count towards the final result. The match was in doubt right to the last games. Pat O'Sullivan (Rep) defeated Sammy Clarke (N.I) - the first time that Clarke has been defeated in an International match. O'Sullivan was the only player to take full points from his matches.

After the match the players had a presentation lunch at the Grove Hotel, Malahide. President of the RIBSA, Mr Michael Bodkin, made the presentations to all players and officials. This was a very successful occasion and everyone said how much they were looking forward to next year's return match in Belfast.

Junior Match

The highest break was 156 by McIntyre. Colin Mylchreest made a 90 in the junior match. There were many breaks of 50+.

The Strikers Billiards Classic

25 players contested this, the season's second ranking tournament. The first prize was taken by Davy Elliot who holds on to the number one spot. Billy Loughan and John McIntyre are joint second, whilst Paddy Donnelly is a single point behind at number four.

West Belfast Billiards Classic

Many Spectators watch the Final

David Pogue reports that over 200 spectators watched the final of this, the season's third ranking tournament. The tournament was won by the N. Ireland No.l Davy Elliott who beat the No.2, Billy Loughan in an entertaining match in which Elliott made two centuries. The highest break was a fine 209 from John McIntyre. The event was sponsored by the West Club who also put on a cabaret/presentation evening for players and supporters!

Billiards on the Move

Billiards in Northern Ireland would seem to be in a healthy state - and certainly if over 200 spectators are present for an amateur competition final. Less than a quarter of that number watched any match in Wigan where the best players in the world were performing. Sponsorship has been obtained for a fourth ranking tournament and more are expected.

International match

N.I. are to play Malta in an International billiards and snooker match. The billiard players will be No.2 ranked Billy Loughan and No.4 ranked John McIntyre. David Pogue also reports that he has been in touch with Derek Townend with a view to arranging an International match to be played in Belfast.

India

Great win for Shandilya

The first All India Professional Billiards championship, sponsored by Gulf Air, was held in Ahmedabad and won by Ashok Shandilya. Shandilya beat Subhash Agrawal by less than one hundred in the final after Agrawal had made a superb late break of 290 to beat Geet Sethi by just 41 in the semi-final.

Jamnaggar - Gulurat

Sethi comes back

With the first Indian professional tournament an unqualified success, Geet Sethi staged a second tournament at the Summair Club, Jamnagar. All eight Indian professionals took part playing in two round robin groups. Gulf Air winner Shandilya could not win a match this time. Manoj Kothari had a break of 293 which helped him to a great win over Sethi to top his group.