The Strachan English National Billiards Championship, 1995

A Hat trick for David Causier

Great Effort from Chris Shutt

With the healing of the rift between the English Amateur Billiards Association (EABA) and the English Association for Billiards and Snooker (EASB) there was once again an official English Championship open to any player having membership of the EASB either as an individual, or as a member of an affiliated club, or a player in an affiliated league.

Last year there were 129 entrants in the EABA Championship (won by Martin Goodwill) and 32 players in the EASB Championship (won by Peter Sheehan.) This total of 161 entries gave rise to optimism that there could well be a record entry this year. It did not happen. There were 83 entrants, a disappointing figure and well below expectations. The increased number of billiards events, Team Championship, Grand Masters, the ABC, the success of the Midlands and Eastern Counties Leagues, regional one-day events such as the Norwich Open, has extended the scope of the amateur game to an extent hardly dreamed of some years ago. It is quite ironical that from there being little in which to compete, there is now almost too much. But it has to be conceded that the number of players has not increased in anything like the same measure as the opportunities to compete. There is no doubt that many amateurs are picking and choosing where and when to play. However, the English Championship is the premier event and the entry was disappointing.

Defending EABA Champion, Martin Goodwill, went out at the hands of the brilliant 17 year old Chris Shutt. The EABA Champion, Peter Sheehan, withdrew after an accident which injured his leg. In view of the fact that there were two, "champions," and two sets of, "runners-up," the tournament was not seeded until the last eight stage. The resulting unseeded draw meant that Steve Crosland, a finalist in 1991 went out to Goodwill in a preliminary round. Peter Shelley, recently both a finalist and a semi-finalist, went out to Causier in the last 16. There were other good amateurs who might have progressed a little further in a seeded draw. Next year will see a change in the system. However, despite the element of the "Luck of the draw," the country's three top amateurs took three of the last four places. The fourth was something of a surprise, Terry Ward - who has twice represented England in World Championships - reached the semi-finals - an excellent performance considering his lengthy absence from the game.

As mentioned, next year will see some changes, and the champion may well come from the ranks of this year's also-rans. David Causier is to play as a professional, Chris Shutt may well follow his example, whilst Flt. Lt. Martin Goodwill, RAF, may be posted overseas. We shall see.

The semi-finals and final were played at the Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale, scene of many a great match. The conditions there are first rate; the organisation in the capable hands of Jim McCann, Malcolm Gregory, Derek Townend, John Richmond, & Co, was equally first rate. The sessions were a sell-out and it was a pleasure to see so many enthusiasts many of whom had travelled quite a distance. Hospitality was provided in the adjoining Whitworth Hotel.

Regional Qualifying Rounds

Yorkshire and Northwest (5 Qualifiers from 24)

Steve Crosland, a semi-finalist last year, became a victim of the unseeded draw - pitted against Martin Goodwill in the preliminary round.

The Official defending champion, Peter Sheehan, had to withdraw following a leg injury.

This round saw an outstanding performance by defending EABA Champion Martin Goodwill in scoring a Russell-like 1228 points in two hours.

Midlands (2 qualifiers from 11)

Eastern Counties (1 qualifier from 5)

Devon and Cornwall (1 qualifier from 5)

The two closest games in the whole championship were won - or lost -by a margin of only three points. One of the games was that in which Dick Watts defeated Colin Mitchell by this margin.

Teesside Region (4 qualifiers from 20)

Probably the strongest area. The Teesside boys were strongly represented. With players of the calibre of Causier, Shutt, and Mackinder in the field, the competition was pretty hot and the luck of the draw would play an important part. Tony Mackinder, unlucky enough to be drawn against David Causier, withdrew for unknown reasons. David Causier topped the thousand mark in both of his two-hour matches. This is scoring of the highest order.

Southern Area (3 qualifiers from 18)

Area 1

The other three point winning margin, that of Bob Shanks over S. Russell.

Area 2

Area 3

(Regional Qualifiers - Last Sixteen)

At this stage the competition was still unseeded. Goodwill and Causier just missed being drawn together. Peter Shelley, a semi-finalist last year, was unlucky to be drawn against David Causier. Martin Goodwill scored heavily against Neil Kimmance, as did Chris Shutt against Norman Routledge. Simon Snee did exceptionally well to beat Brian Harvey. Terry Ward continued his comeback with a good performance against David Burgess, despite a 159 from his opponent. Paul Dunning had his best ever championship performance in reaching the quarters with a win over Geoff Charville a semi-finalist two years ago. John O'Neill had a fine break of 168 in a narrow win over Terry Colby, whilst Mark Hirst gradually gained the upper hand over Phil Welham. The highest break of the round was a 301 by Causier. Goodwill had a 209.

The competition was seeded at this stage. With Martin Goodwill as No.l and David Causier as No.2, the draw was then made on a random basis.

There were no surprises though Paul Dunning almost caused a minor upset losing by only 104 to Terry Ward. Causier and Shutt both scored heavily, Martin Goodwill, up against the tenacious Mark Hirst, did not score quite so heavily.

David Causier v Terry Ward

Ward seemed rather apprehensive. In view of his opponent's potential scoring power this was not surprising. However, though he could manage but a single half-century, the older man settled down to play sound all-round billiards characterised by some excellent potting. Causier played in his usual dashing style, at times rather careless. He was clearly under no pressure and would have to take more care in the final whoever his opponent.

Chris Shutt v Martin Goodwill

Though defending champion Goodwill was the favourite he knew that it was never going to be an easy game, a view which was explosively confirmed with Shutt's very first scoring visit. The 17 year old Teessider made a good break only to see Goodwill score an excellent cannon and have the balls at the spot end after three strokes. The older player scored 41 missing a pot from the spot. From the leave Shutt made a very fine and rapid break of 243. He never looked like breaking down until he did, but was immediately in again with 83 to take a lead of 264 after only four visits. Incredibly, after only three more visits he was 27 points behind as Goodwill scored consecutive breaks of 16, 75, and 218! Both men were playing a very high class game. Shutt then scored breaks of 138,91, and 52, Goodwill replying with a 140. After the interval, some consistent play from the champion regained him the lead and it was looking as if his greater experience might be the deciding factor. It was not to be. After a fruitless period, Shutt burst into life once more with a series of breaks which brought him over 400 points in a dozen visits. With time running out and facing a deficit of some 200, Goodwill made a determined effort. A 167 brought him to within some 50 points of his opponent. Both players were tense and both missed easy strokes. 49 and 18 from Goodwill made him just 55 behind with some nine minutes to play, but it was the youngster who held the table with efforts of 48 and 50 to gain a famous victory by 127 points.

English Amateur Championship Final

David Causier v Chris

Shutt Third Title for Causier

David Causier, at 21 years of age, was playing in his fourth consecutive final. His 17 year old opponent was playing in his first. Causier was favourite but not such a hot favourite as he had been just 24 hours previously. There were those who thought that Shutt had a very good chance of becoming the youngest ever champion and events were to prove them right. The youngster could, and perhaps should, have taken the title. It was not to be, but, unless he turns professional, Shutt must surely win the championship next year. Causier will play professional billiards; Goodwill, may not compete and there seems to be no-one else in the hunt - unless - the Teesside comes up with yet another potential champion. Causier, Shutt, and Goodwill are all products of the Teesside Boys League.

It took Shutt just 6 visits to find his touch which he did with a great break of 214. Mostly at the spot end and characterised - as is the play of all the young stars - by excellent potting. It was not until half-an-hour had passed that Causier made any significant contribution, 87, and by this time he was very nearly three hundred behind. There was a remarkable ending to the first session. With about 30 minutes left for play, Shutt led by 352 points. When the bell sounded for the interval he was 162 behind! Causier scored 545 points in 8 visits to the table at an average of 68. The Middlesbrough man is noted for fast scoring but this was quite exceptional.

If anyone thought that Causier's effort had knocked the stuffing out of his young opponent, they were mistaken. Shutt settled to his work, and with a series of medium sized breaks and one century reduced the deficit to just 34. It was then Causier's turn again and an 81 and another century saw him regain a two-hundred point lead. But this was an extraordinary game of billiards, just when it seemed that Causier was gaining the upper hand Shutt came again with yet another double century - 269 - to lead by over one hundred. Time was beginning to run out and David Causier knew it. He rushed in a 118 and a 99 to regain the advantage. With some ten minutes to go it was still anybody's game. Shutt had his chance. Just one of his rapid centuries would have done the trick but he twice broke down when well placed. A 59 and a 76 from Causier saw him home by 215 points. This was a great game of billiards, one which can hardly have been surpassed in the whole history of the championship, the like of which, those lucky enough to have been present, can hardly expect to see again in the amateur game.

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