Billy Bousfield made a tremendous second session comeback after a first round defeat at the hands of Stephen Crosland at the Northern Snooker Centre. A score of 777, including four centuries, with an average of over fifty gave the Teesside flyer an above even chance of qualifying in the last session.

Matthew Peaker, Billy's opponent in the second session was far from disgraced with an average of over 20 and Robert Hall, Dominic Mulhall, John Hartley, and Johnathan Bagley, all stars for the future, cruised to the last sixteen. The old guard, Stephen Crosland and Jim McCann came good in the final session to keep their challenge alive and John Hughes, the Frodsham newcomer, finished strongly to secure his place at Derby.

A great afternoon of billiards in which twelve centuries and a double were recorded by a galaxy of northern talent. An average match aggregate of 757 gave indications of the consistency of the players in attendance. A strong contingent of northern qualifiers will descend on the Beaconsfield Club, Derby, on 27th/28th February when the north and south meet to contest the final stages. A truly memorable event played in excellent spirit and competitive zeal and well served by a full compliment of skilled and experienced referees.

David Richardson & Derick Townend

Geoff Anderson, Phillip Brooke, Tony Eke, Tom Hughes, Ray Jones, Bob Slee, Harry Wah, Bob Williams.