The 2015 Billiards International Trophy Tournament took place at the Premier Snooker Club, Glengormley, on Saturday and Sunday, 21st and 22nd November last. This year it was Northern Ireland’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 well established 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 10.30 on Saturday morning in the 90 minute timed format. Host nation Northern Ireland took 6 from a possible 12 points in the opening session, Austria 2, while England and the Republic of Ireland, each contesting for a possible 6, took 4 and 6 points respectively. The next session was the 150 up format where England came to the fore, scoring 11 points from a possible 12, the Republic a somewhat disappointing 4 out of 12, Northern Ireland a balanced 3 out of 6 while Austria failed to advance their score. In the third session, also 150 up format, Northern Ireland increased their score by 5 from a possible 6, England took 9 from a possible 12 while the Republic made little advance in the session, scoring only 4 from a possible 12. Austria, by completing their short format match against a strong England side, could manage no advance in their score. 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 thanks to very impressive, high scoring contributions from Rob Hall, Mark Hatton and Darren Kell. Northern Ireland took a balanced 6 from a possible 12, Austria took 4, and the Republic 2.
Action continued on Sunday with the first of two 150 up format matches where Austrian players Stefan Knoll, Martin Schmidt, Werner Rieschl, Patrick Stegmeier and newcomer Marcus Bauer all contributed to Austria’s 6 point gain, Northern Ireland again scoring a balanced 6 out of 12, England 4 and the Republic 2. Sunday’s second and third sessions saw the completion of the timed matches where England assured themselves of retaining the trophy by taking a clean sweep victory over the Republic of Ireland but denied a similar score against Austria when Felix Knoll took 2 of the available 12 for the Austrian team. In what had now become a pattern of their play, hosts Northern Ireland drew 6-6 with the Republic. The final session of the day, which also concluded the tournament, was the completion of Sunday’s 150 up matches, England and the Republic, each playing for a possible 6 points took 3 and 5 respectively, Austria took 4 from a possible 12 while Northern Ireland rounded off their tournament with yet another balanced score of 6 out of 12.
Tournament results:
|
Session
|
Format
|
Northern Ireland
|
Austria
|
England
|
Republic of Ireland
|
|
Saturday 10.30
|
90 minute timed (2 points per game)
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
6
|
|
Saturday 12.30
|
2 x 150 up (1 point per game)
|
3
|
0
|
11
|
4
|
|
Saturday 14.30
|
2 x 150 up (1 point per game)
|
5
|
0
|
9
|
4
|
|
Saturday 16.30
|
90 minute timed (2 points per game)
|
6
|
4
|
6
|
2
|
|
Sunday 09.30
|
2 x 150 up (1 point per game)
|
6
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
|
Sunday 11.30
|
90 minute timed (2 points per game)
|
2
|
0
|
12
|
4
|
|
Sunday 13.30
|
90 minute timed (2 points per game)
|
4
|
2
|
10
|
2
|
|
Sunday 15.30
|
2 x 150 up (1 point per game)
|
6
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
|
Final scores
|
38
|
18
|
59
|
29
|
|
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 sixty half centuries and 11 centuries, the century men being Rob Hall (5), Mark Hatton and Darren Kell (2), Werner Rieschl (1) and Chris Taylor (1). Another very noteworthy performance came from the Austrian team, all of whom made their contribution to their side’s score, including a magnificent 110 break by Werner and a fantastic unfinished 77 by Patrick when his opponent needed only 23 for game. Many congratulations to them and 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 with referee and scorekeeping duties throughout the weekend. A special word of thanks is also due to Clive Scott, whose skills in tournament direction ensured an efficient and smoothly run event.
The Premier Snooker Club, Glengormley 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 and this year’s event was no exception.
Brendan Devlin
