The annual Charity Challenge billiards tournament took place at Pinewood Park, Sheringham, over the week-end of 29th-30th January 2005 and involved 12 invited players. It has been customary to expect some outstanding billiards at these events, which are very capably organised by Clive Scott, and once more the spectators would not be disappointed.

Dave Smith took off his referee's gloves to stand in for Brian Harvey when the Wessex champion withdrew from the competition. Although he probably held no great expectation that he would impress against such illustrious company, he surely could not have been prepared for the onslaught which was launched by David Causier in their one hour group match. At the end of this period Causier, aided by breaks of 329 and 241 had compiled an incredible total of 911 points, a feat which must be amongst the best seen since the days of the nursery cannon players!

Another exceptional performance came from 17 year-old Jamie Edwards, who made a personal best break of 224 to defeat Phil Welham, one of England's best amateur players. Although this break is not quite a record for one of his age, both Mike Russell (307) and Chris Shutt (267) having exceeded this figure in competition, it gives an indication of the company to which he aspires! Personal bests were also made by Phil Mumford with a 212 break, and Steve Mifsud, whose 375 (also against the hapless Dave Smith) beat his previous record of 303 made in the 2003 Australian Open Championship.

Mifsud and Edwards would meet in the semi-finals, but the youngster could not reproduce his earlier form, and Mifsud, with a best break of 204, gained a comfortable victory. Dave Causier was equally impressive in the other semi-final against Dave Nichols, a run of 334 being the highlight of his 882-275 win; the games for the knockout stages having been extended to 90 minutes.

Steve Mifsud, who is competing on the professional snooker circuit in England, has little time available for billiards, but is a very capable exponent of the game and enjoys the occasional opportunity to display his skill. As an English professional billiard player, Dave Causier has equally few chances to play competitive matches, but the form of both appears undiminished by the lack of match practice. In the final Causier established a lead of 275 approaching the last 20 minutes, but at this stage Mifsud displayed his tenacious qualities with a break of 219, the highest of the match, to bring him back into the game. However, it proved insufficient, as Causier drew away again to complete a 617-476 victory.