EASTERN COUNTIES
Eastern Counties Championship
A healthy entry of 29 players gathered at the Newmarket Snooker &
Bowl for the twelfth Eastern Counties Billiards Championship. West
Acre’s Phillip Welham took the title by defeating Kettering’s Matthew
Sutton 204-189 in a very tightly fought final. Welham had previously
recorded good wins over Ivan Chambers (Ely) and Sam Salter
(Newmarket) in the quarter and semi-finals respectively. A break of
132, the highest in the competition, being the feature of his game
against Chambers. Sutton had played equally well to better Michael
Wright (St. Albans) and Jim Chambers (Ely) at the same stages of the
competition.
Rushden’s Dean Bavister, who is returning to the sport after a lay-off,
produced some classy form to win the Plate competition, beating
Keith Lloyd (Cambridge) 193-188 in the final. Dean Manders (Lincoln)
defeated Peter Cooper to win the “Subsidiary Cup” for first round
losers in the Plate.
Thanks are extended to all the management and staff at Newmarket
and to the Tournament Director, Clive Scott who also officiated with
referees Peter Cooper and David Smith. The trophies were presented
by Mark Wildman, President of the Eastern Counties Billiards
Association.
| Phillip Welham 132, 57 |
426 | Ivan Chambers |
155 | ||
| Sam Salter |
190 | Arthur Reeve |
186 | ||
| Matthew Sutton 106, 62, 62 |
345 | Michael Wright |
86 | ||
| Jim Chambers |
281 | Mick White |
231 |
| Phillip Welham 78 |
256 | Sam Salter |
219 | ||
| Matthew Sutton 62, 55 |
301 | Jim Chambers 52 |
99 |
| Phillip Welham |
204 | Matthew Sutton |
189 |
Norfolk Billiards Handicap
On 16th March, thirty-seven players took part in the Norfolk Billiards
Handicap which was held at the Woodside SC, Norwich. The turn-out
reflects the very strong state of billiards in this part of the World, and
with fifteen juniors taking part is also a tribute to the hard work that
has been put into development of the junior game in the region over the
last six years. The event was won by Lee Daynes who defeated Colin
McCarthy in the final. Frank Harper was the Tournament Director.
Eastern Counties Billiards League
Huntingdon 147 became first-division champions, finishing the season
two points clear of Spalding with Cambridge “A” a further point behind.
Matthew Sutton starred for Huntingdon, making three centuries during
the course of the season, including the division’s highest break of 147.
He was ably supported by Matt Willard who also made a century and
twelve others over 50 in his eight games.