It has been over ten years since the Amateur Billiards Circuit visited the 147 Executive Club in Southampton on which occasion there was a disappointing turn-out of 44 entries. For the long-awaited return, there were even fewer players willing to make the trip to the South coast, with just 41 names going into the draw. The previous event in 1993 had been won by Martin Goodwill and he continued his unbeaten run at this venue by taking the honours once again, a result which saw him go clear at the top of this season's ranking list.

Martin Goodwill in action

In the last 16, Goodwill had an emphatic win over Jack Hedley, this being something of a rehearsal for their forthcoming tie in the CIU Championship. Four breaks over 50 helped him to a 394-131 scoreline in the one-hour match.

In general, the breaks on the day were few and far between, with Goodwill providing most of the best efforts. His highest were 117 and 148, with the only other century coming from Matthew Sutton (108) in the Plate.

Two "locals", Geoff Lingard (Bude) and Cornwall County player Steve Downing (Newlyn) did well to reach the semi-finals, but could progress no further as they were defeated by Peter Shelley and Martin Goodwill respectively. Lingard came closest to a surprise result, losing by only 13 points.

In the final Goodwill made a break of 76 which proved to be almost exactly the difference between the players at the close, the scores being 278-200, with Shelley having contributed a best break of 58.