Tommy Arnott Memorial Billiards Handicap

Ironopolis Social Club, Middlesbrough

18th-19th August, 2004

The annual invitation tournament in memory of billiards coach, Tommy Arnott, took place at the Middlesbrough Ironopolis Club over two days starting 18th August 2004. This summer handicap has traditionally been welcomed by the Teesside professionals as a warm-up for the coming season, but under the current uncertain climate, it has every prospect of forming a substantial part of their playing opportunities.

Paul Bennett recives the winner's trophy from competition sposor, Derrick Arnott

Paul Bennett (-70) proved to be the winner of the 11th staging of this competition, defeating Mark Graham (scr.) in the one-hour final. This was Graham's second consecutive final, and he would have been hoping to make it his first success, but found that opportunities to do so were few and far between as Bennett remorselessly closed down the concession of seventy points. Then, with the scores almost level, Bennett produced a run of 115, the highest of the game, to establish an advantage he would hold until the end.

The second day had seen the entry of the seeded professional players, and it started in spectacular fashion as David Causier (-90) compiled a wonderfully fluent break of 328 in his opening match against the unfortunate Darren Kell (-20). This was the second highest break in the history of the competition, the record standing to Chris Shutt who made 331 unfinished in 1999. Causier completed the 45 minute game with an average of 42.6.

There was some interest in the prospective meeting between Causier and Lee Lagan, who, as the reigning IBSF Champion, had been set to concede 10 points start to the World No.3. This would have been the first time the pair had met on these terms. However, Lagan failed to overcome the first hurdle as Mark Graham made the best of his 100 points start to win by 38.

With Graham now facing Causier in the semi-final, it looked to be easy work for the professional, especially when he had recovered the ninety points start with plenty of time to spare. However, Graham showed great character to pull away again, and eventually won 243-219.

Bennett, who had defeated the talented young Michael Donnelly in his first match, met his friend and practise partner Chris Shutt in the semi-final. Receiving 20 points, Bennett played a sound and consistent game throughout, and although a break of 86 gave Shutt the advantage near the end of the game, Bennett recovered well to win a close match by 23 points.

Bennett received £240 for his victory, with Graham taking £120 as runner up. The losing semi and quarter-finalists took £60 and £30 respectively. David Causier's magnificent break of 328 earned him £40, while Michael Donnelly took the same amount for the highest break on the previous qualifying night, having made a 69. Lee Lagan received the "special award for outstanding achievement" in recognition of his performance in the IBSF Billiards Championship in India during the previous season. Proceeds of the evening were donated to the Children in Need charity.

Full Results

Amateur Qualifiers

18th August 2004

Competition Proper

19th August, 2004

Paul Bennet (left) and Mark Graham