Mini-Prix: 1995-1996

First Event: September 17th, 1995

The Portland Snooker Club. Carlisle

Sponsored by The WPBSA

Disappointing Entry

Reviving the Mini-Prix is an initiative of Barnsley Referee Stuart Bennett. The first event of this new series was held in Carlisle and attracted only 16 entries which included five local players. Gilchrist, Causier, and Shutt went from the Teesside. Roxton Chapman was the only entrant from the Peterborough area. David Seddon travelled down from Scotland whilst Jock McGregor travelled up from London. Paul Dunning went over from Widnes. This was a disappointing start to the series, but Carlisle is a long way from the billiards beaten track, and it was not totally unexpected that there should be no players from the Midlands or the West Country. Further events are projected for Widnes and Raunds, there will surely be a better turn out at those venues. However, the question has to be asked, are there enough players to support more than one event per month? The ABC will have a full programme beginning at Bradford in October and it is possible that some players, for various reasons, will not feel able to support more than one event in each month. Geographical factors may become more involved. Players who were willing to make long journeys for a once-a-month tournament may now be studying the map rather more carefully. It would be nice to think that both ABC and the new Mini-Prix could attract a good turnout but this may not happen. Derek Townend will not be over preoccupied, his aim is to provide a game of billiards and a get-together for those amateur players who want to turn up. The Mini-Prix, sponsored by the WPBSA needs to attract the professionals in order to retain the sponsorship but could hardly function if there were not a reasonable turnout of amateurs to swell the numbers. Another factor may be that host clubs might lose interest if the number of entrants were to be uniformly low. We shall see - but - good luck to both initiatives.

Chapman's Tremendous Form

With their being only 16 entrants it was decided to dispense with a, "Plate," and play the initial stages of the tournament as a, "Round Robin," this meant that all the players would get at least three hours of billiards. The groups were drawn on a random basis.

This was the easiest of the groups from which to qualify. Nevertheless, Ted Fielding, and Ivan (IV) Stevenage did well to do so.

This group brought together professionals David Causier and Roxton Chapman.

Both were expected to qualify. Chapman defeated Causier in their group match making a triple century - one of the four he made on the day.

Peter Gilchrist was the favourite with the second place up for grabs. It was Mike Nixon who managed to grab it.

The opposition did not appear strong enough to challenge either Chris Shutt or David Seddon and these two duly came through

Triple for Chapman - Doubles for Gilchrist and Causier

The only match that might have provided an upset was that between Gilchrist and Shutt. The Middlesbrough professional settled the matter with a fine double century. Chapman had his third triple century. Causier scored heavily against Ivan Stevenage whilst David Seddon had a nice 121 in his win over Eddie Fielding

Chapman and Gilchrist Through

David Causier knocked up a good century break but Gilchrist had a bigger century and got home fairly comfortably. Chapman continued in great form and looked as if he would never stop scoring.

Amazing Display by Chapman

It is not too often that Peter Gilchrist is reduced to the status of spectator but this was one of the occasions. The young Peterborough professional monopolised the table, made his fourth triple century of the day, and returned the remarkable average of 97-7. This compares favourably with any one day performance ever.

During the day. Chapman recorded breaks of 305*, 332, 302, 301, 229, 189, 185, 165, 123, 119 and 117.

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