The annual Billiards International Trophy Tournament took place at the Cue Ball Club, Derby, on Saturday and Sunday, 15th and 16th November last. This year it was England’s turn to be the host nation and they certainly put on an exceedingly well-organised and well-run event. All who travelled with the visiting teams were extremely impressed and enjoyed the marvellous atmosphere generated throughout the weekend.
The format of the tournament was that each contesting nation, Austria, England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland put forward a six-man team to contest against each other in two segments, a 90 minute timed game, which counted 2 points per game and two sets of 150 up, with 1 point awarded for each set. Using nine tables instead of the ideal twelve gave rise to a complication in the scheduling whereby matches had to be completed in two halves, each half taking place in separate sessions. This meant that a true comparison of scores could only be made after completion of both sessions for any particular match.
Action got under way at 10.30am on Saturday in the 90 minute timed format. England made a best possible start in the first segments of their matches against Austria and Northern Ireland, taking all available 12 points. In the Republic of Ireland versus Austria match, Austria gave notice of the determination they brought to the event by taking 4 points against the Republic’s 2. The next session was the 150 up format where England dipped a little, taking only 2 points from a possible 6, while Austria scored 2, the republic 6 and Northern Ireland 8. In the third session, also 150 up format, England recovered to take all 6 available points while Northern Ireland increased their score by 9 from a possible 12. Austria and the Republic made little advance in the session, scoring 2 and 4 points respectively. The last session of the first day was the completion of Saturday’s timed matches where England’s superiority again showed, taking all available sessional points, Austria taking 4, the republic taking 2 and Northern Ireland failing to score.
Action continued on Sunday with the first of two 150 up format matches where Rob Hall, Chris Mitchell and Chris Taylor again scored heavily for England while Wayne Doyle scored impressively for the Republic, finishing both his 150 up games with unfinished breaks of 81 and 79. Wayne was also a heavy scorer in the next timed session being the only player in the session to clock up a century break, a feat which he also repeated in Sunday’s third session. The final session of the day, which also concluded the tournament, was the completion of Sunday’s 150 up matches, England taking 11 from a possible 12, the Republic 5 from a possible 6, Austria 2 and Northern Ireland nil.
Tournament results:
Segment | Format | England | Austria | Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland |
Saturday 10.30 | 90 minute timed (2 points per game) | 12 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
Saturday 12.30 | 2 x 150 up (1 point per game) | 2 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
Saturday 14.30 | 2 x 150 up (1 point per game) | 6 | 1 | 9 | 2 |
Saturday 16.30 | 90 minute timed (2 points per game) | 12 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
Sunday 09.30 | 2 x 150 up (1 point per game) | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Sunday 11.30 | 90 minute timed (2 points per game) | 4 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
Sunday 13.30 | 90 minute timed (2 points per game) | 6 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
Sunday 15.30 | 2 x 150 up (1 point per game) | 11 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Final scores | 62 | 20 | 35 | 27 | |
Results, of course, tell only half the story. What they cannot convey is the buzzing atmosphere of the occasion and the excellent standard of play. The tournament also produced its quota of high breaks, with more than fifty half centuries and 17 centuries, the century men being Rob Hall (7), our own Wayne Doyle (3), Darren Kell (also 3), John Mullane (2), Tommy Hunter (1) and Christian Kirk (1). The event’s all-time high break of 287, set in 2010 in Cambridge by Phil Welham, tumbled when Rob Hall, England’s current champion and 2014 World Championship finalist, scored a magnificent new record break of 341. Many congratulations to Rob and indeed to all the participating players, many of whom produced personal-best performances in international play.
Our thanks are due to the Referees and the players who willingly stepped in to assist, all of whom gave unstintingly of their time with referee and scorekeeping duties throughout the weekend. A special word of thanks is also due to Clive Scott, whose experience in tournament direction ensured an efficient and smoothly run event.
The Cue Ball Club, Derby are to be congratulated for their preparations for the event and for the excellent playing conditions they provided.
It was a great pleasure to see so many skilled exponents of the beautiful game of Billiards in simultaneous action and our congratulations must go to the England team on their convincing victory. The format of the event, including the Saturday night tournament dinner, always presents an excellent opportunity to renew friendships and enjoy the atmosphere of the occasion.
Brendan Devlin
