INDIVIDUAL BILLIARDS
CHAMPIONSHIP

Lee Lagan started the defence of his CIU title with
a tough away tie against Richard Beckham at Redcar
WMC. His cause was not helped by the symptoms
of a heavy cold, but he nevertheless started well,
making a break of 92 at his first scoring visit.

Following this soon afterwards with 121 he appeared to have the
match well under control. But Beckham never gave up and with breaks
of 48, 87 and 45 gave himself every chance as he recovered to just 11
points in arrears at 450-439. With several good chances going to both
players, it was Lagan, with some relief, who managed to reach the
target, 500-463. Lagan, who is now starting his second season under
the sponsorship of Joe Atkinson’s Easington Greyhound Stadium,
averaged 12.8 for the match and Beckham 11.9.

Tony James (Throckley) progressed to the second round at the expense
of John Hartley (Redcar). The game was close for much of the time
with the scores called level at 315. At this point however, James opened
a significant lead with consecutive contributions of 37 and 73, eventually
recording a comfortable 500-384 result.

Not many players can claim to have had their match refereed by the
World Professional Champion, but that was the case for Tony Mackinder
and Alf Nolan for their first round tie at North Ormesby Institute.
Unfortunately neither player seemed particularly inspired by Peter

Gilchrist’s presence as Mackinder ground
his way to a 500-426 win after almost three
hours. Breaks of 82 and 62 by Mackinder,
the 1999 CIU Champion, highlighted an
otherwise dull performance, while Nolan
only looked to be in control when playing
the in-off game. Using this technique, he put
together runs of 59 and 50. Mackinder
averaged 7.9 and Nolan 6.8.

Peter Shelley set the target for the high break
with a run of 164 in his preliminary round
victory over Michael Faddes. Additional
breaks of 105, 83 and 71 in this match helped

him to a comprehensive 500-112 scoreline. Shelley then reached the
quarter-finals without further effort when Maurice Chapman scratched
from their first round tie.

With no result being received for the match against F. Griffin and Sean
Bean, both players were disqualified, giving Jack Hedley direct passage
through to the semi-final stages where he will play either Neal Rewhorn
or Peter Shelley. They are drawn to meet at Rewhorn´s club in Nuneaton.
The remaining quarter-final matches are Bem French vs. Tony
Mackinder and Lee Lagan vs. Tony James. These matches are scheduled
to be completed by 5th February.