New Mill V Bradley & Colne Huddersfield League

Very Strange playing in the gap between Christmas and New Year, most leagues have a break at this point. I was very concerned due to the weather. We have had snow on the ground since the 22nd and the forecast was quite bad.

I drove over the M62 and as I reached the top of the pass it started snowing again which was freezing at -4. I managed to get to the venue which was another very nice club with outstanding tables very quick with a lovely cloth. I don't think I have seen a bad table in this league at all they are all of the highest championship standard quite amazing for little clubs dotted about in the middle on no where. They certainly put most of the clubs in Manchester to shame.

When I arrived Derek Hey was playing and looked like he was going to lose to an old chap called Frank who looked quite a dangerous player. He managed to pull back and won by just a few points.

I went on second and was giving 15 start to the same lad I had played before at our home club in the first half of the season. I think his was called Patmore. I was a little disappointed as I really fancied playing John Inglby. The game was OK I played quite a steady game getting lots of little breaks a few 15-20 breaks and breaking down. I must admit the table threw me a little it was so fast and I still hit the ball to hard and on this table a tiny tap ran the length of the table. I managed a 25 break and a 21 at the end to win by quite a lot about 60 points and I had given him 15 start.

Quite happy but I decided to head home as the last match started Peter Atkinson v John Inglby. Quite disappointed as it's really nice to watch John play he has an awesome cue action and stance and is a very capable billiards player and coach. He looked in good form as I left getting a nice 20 break first visit.

The journey home was a nightmare I left at 9.45pm and the M62 motorway was closed due to a fatal car crash at Junction 24. This left me few options to get home. I headed to the Woodhead and as I neared the turn off the Snow Warning signs were showing the road was closed. I turned round and headed to the Greenfields road as I gained height the snow was awful and with no 4x4 drive I was forced to turn back I tried to cut across onto the A62 Oldham Road but got stuck in the lanes. I eventually worked my way back onto the lower roads and headed through Huddersfield Town Center and joined the road from the other side of town.

I managed to get across Saddleworth at about 4 miles per hour and didn't get home till nearly 12pm. At one point I was going to turn round and try the local hotels. Fortunately some of the wagons were going over the A62 when they were diverted off the M62 which had kept the roads passable.

I found out Peter lost to John who had a nice 55 break final score 2-1 to us.

Snooker Knockout 28th Rileys

Got invited with Mark Carrington to play in a knockout on the 28th Handicapped at Rileys BelleVue.

Played rubbish the lad I played had the luck of the devil never seen anything like it he had a 38 first visit which was all flukes. Even at the end of the frame I only needed brown to black to win but he flukes the brown and I then snookered him on the blue a really nasty snooker which he managed to hit and then snooker me behind the pink.

I gave up at this point. The funny thing was he drew Mark Carrington in the next round. Mark was giving him 40 start but I told Mark if he has the same luck not to bother playing. I watched the match and sure enough he had all the running and scoring 28 in the first frame off a fluke and in the next mark had a 48 but was already 68 behind. Again Smithy won off a few amazing pot/flukes.

He lost in the next round and admitted he had not luck at all? Yes right

We grabbed a table and had some practice we both played pretty rubbish nad we had an hour of billiards again we both were pretty rubbish. Just one of those bad days I think.
Just noticed I have no link to the Manchester web site. I will add it in the next few days but here it is for the moment. They have a good website.

http://www.manchester-snooker-league.com/

Happy Christmas

This is my last post before Christmas and so I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a great New year.

What's really bad is the Snowman got a higher break than me. He definitely has an eye for the game.

Huddersfield League Snowbound

Due to 8 inch's of Snow I was unable to make it to the latest match over in New Mill. The Woodhead Pass was shut due to drifting snow and the M62 was open but Huddersfield Road was still shut. I did not want to miss the game but it was just not possible.

Derek Hey rang me they lost 2-1 which means we have lost the top spot for Christmas, a little disappointing as the team that beat us were very low in the rankings.

Instead I went for a game with Mark Carrington, I could not get my car out due to the Snow so I walked up the Hill in my boots to get to the main Road snow plough has still not been anywhere near my road.

We went to frames in Hyde for a change and played on table 14 which is a fast but slightly tight table. I won the first frame by about 50 points however Mark won the next 7 in a row. I could have won several frames but missed out when he cleared the colours after I missed. He managed an nice 58 in frame 3 and an 85 missing a black off it's spot should have been 100 again.

We did manage an hours billiards I set off like a train and managed a few 20-30 breaks and got about 150 in front. He settled in and scored about 100 points without me scoring. I ran away an easy winner but it was nice to see Mark playing well and not potting the red. He really concentrated on cannons and top of the table.

I also managed to play a nice run through loser along the top rail even though it was just off the rails and slightly further away from the cushion practice makes perfect.

Billiard Junkies

I was really sorry to see the end of Billiard Junkies. In my past year I was an IT manager at a school I will look into opening a similar site I have a few people who I may be able to twist arms etc.

We shall see in the new year, if anyone is willing to support me by actually visiting the site after it is created then maybe. Felix posted that the site costs £ 400 per year to maintain seems rather expensive to me. I can host and update a site for much less on my own server.

If anyone else is doing something to resolve the problems let me know maybe I can help.

Macclesfield League - Disley V Mac Liberal Club

Thursday night off to Macclesfield for a match I had to go on first and dash off to stalybridge as I had two games on the same night in different leagues. I played an old chap who beat me a couple of months ago by 20 points. I played really well the table was very quick and the cloth was slightly worn but massive pockets. I was giving him 100 start first to 200. He was on 110 I'm on 10. I played well getting a 31 on my second visit I quickly followed this with a 30 and a 33. I had ovetaken him very quickly and wrapped it up in about 30minutes the final score being 200-148. He had only scored 38. I was very happy but a little disappointed not to make a really high break as the bags really were massive.

I shot off to St Pauls Stalybridge for my next game (25miles) I arrived and went straight on but for some reason I think it was that the table was very slow and the pockets are really tight when compared to the other table I had already played on, I played poorly. i got a few 10-15 breaks but I was giving another massive start 80 points he was on 25, my handicap is now -55 and he could play a decent game. I managed to catch him up and need 13 to win he needed 2 points. I ran in 9 and played safe. He missed and I played a cannon and tried to push the red near the bag. The red ended up safe so I attempted to pot his ball it joggled in the jaw my ball end up right next to the red. He got the cannon and won by 2. That was my first loss in the stalybridge League things have got a lot harder now they have slashed my handicaps.

I enjoyed both games but I still cant work out how I can play so well one minute and then awful the next.

Practice - Run through Loser

Over the past 6 months I have always avoided the run through shot close to the cushion unless there has been any other shot on and usually I have played the pot along the cushion.

Looking back on my notes I realised I have not really spent anytime trying the shot. Martin and John Inglby both showed me the shot but I have never really worked out the aiming point. When I have tried it I usually get one every 10 shots and the further from the pocket the harder it is. So I have just avoided it.

I saw Rob Hall get one from just below the middle bag so I decided to try a hour or two until I could get the shot regularly.

The local clubs tables are rather poor but I spent one hour trying the shot from various spots along the top cushion. After a hour I had still made little progress I just could not figure out the aiming point. I knew If I aimed directly at the ball and then a little left an eighth of an inch I got the shot a few time but very irregular.

I marked the spots where the balls were positioned and then spent an hour playing plain ball shots with my spotted training ball to see where the balls ended up. Then playing with side to see how the balls reacted. Finally I found out where the aiming point is and it surprised me as the aiming point with strong side to widen the pocket is basically straight at the ball.

Another half hour and I was getting the shot all the time, I can't understand how I could have had so many problems with the shot when it's quite simple really especially with side. That's the thing about billiards it's really just practice and repetition over and over until the shot just becomes a variation on another shot.

The half ball drop cannon going back over my diary used to cause me endless problems but now it just seems so easy. Going back only 3 months I would get the shot regularly but fail in controlling position after the shot. Now I usually end up with the position I wanted or at the very least some half decent position at the top. Just lately I have realised I am even placing my drop cannon to push the red towards a pocket instead of hitting the true half ball full in the face.

Funny how certain shots are now just simple ones, another 3 years I think I will be OK at this game.

Huddersfield League - New Mill B V Springwood B

Off to New Mill for my next match for once the weather was great no rain or snow. John won the first game I played second as usual playing Paul Raynor he has already had a couple of breaks recorded on the sheet so I knew I had to be careful. I played very well getting an early lead with a 22 and a 19. I was on 70 Paul on 75 first to 200. I had reached 140 and knocked in a nice 37 missing a simple pot red when in prime position at the top. I ran in an easy win 200-140.

Derek Hay went on last and lost by about 30, Looks like we will be top by one point at Christmas not to bad at the halfway stage. Just missed out on the high break for my handicap group should have concentrated a bit more rather careless. Still got on the break list cant complain.

Individuals Meltham Huddersfield

 I had arranged my handicapped individuals on Sunday at 1pm with Paul Shaw. I was receiving 10 start first to 200 he is on 60handicap.

What a crap game neither of us played well he clearly could not play billiards but was a great potter. I lost by 20 points. Again I do not know what is up with my game as I am cueing really well potting as well as ever but just having no luck at all.

I won the string and put him into break he attempted to pot the red off the black spot, the red ended up tight in the jaws and the white went around the table twice and potted the red following it into the pocket for 6 on his first shot. That sort of set the tone for the day. He was then in the same position red on it's spot and white in hand. This time he managed to screw inoff the red and left the red by the middle bag. He then started potting the red and scored 9 by potting and then missed a center pocket pot red the red hit the jaw and went into baulk. He scored 18 off flukes and left a baulk nice one.

It was not my day despite me getting a 44 break every visit he left me safe or fluked one just like the last time I played Wayne at Silktown just no running no sure what you can do about it, even though I played safe it made no difference. He won 200-190 very strange.

Paula came with me  and we went out for a nice meal in one of the local pubs so the day wasn't a disaster.

Dreaded Snooker Practice

I had arrange a couple of hours snooker with Mark Carrington at my local club on Thursday 10th. He had been working all last week and had no match so he was desperate for a game. I don't really like the snooker as I still feel it interfers with my billiards but I do like to practice my cueing.

The first frame he set the standard with a 56. I feel really good and still had a chance to win I had a 30 and had a chance to clear the last red and colours but missed a simple blue.

I won the next frame with a 40 and a 25 break. I hardly missed a shot and felt I was cueing really well especially in the reds and around the black spot.

The next frame I had another 30 but mark had a 68. He won the next with a brilliant 95 with 2 reds left both in difficult positions he joggled a tough red in the jaws but was perfect on the green.

Everygame I played really well my long potting was really great and I had at least a 30 in everygame Mark however was playing really well having a 50+ in nearly everygame. He won 9-1 but I felt I had played really well and had chance to win a couple more frames despite him getting good breaks.

That night I had no match but had arranged a snooker game with another friend Steve Cannon (no relation to Mr Inoff) Again I played really well I give Steve 21 start in the league at Snooker so we played off handicaps. I played well getting a few 25 and 30 breaks. I managed a 41 and a 48 to go 5-5. We decided to play a decider and the loser pays for the table. Steve got a 28 break and put me under pressure I managed to claw it back with a few lucky snookers and we both had chances on the black before I fluked a double in the top to win.

A good days snooker quite enjoyed it for a change.

Silktown Practice

Had a strange game of Billiards with Wayne over at Silktown, Macclesfield we had two hours 2-4 on the Wednesday as our sort of weekly match. Its usually quite a good standard with either myself or Wayne Holbrook playing well but today he beat me by quite a margin. I felt really good and had been playin really well but he just kept having run throughout the game. Every shot I was on the cushion or in a bad position rather strange as the luck usually changes at some point.

It ran with him for the two hours and he won by about 100 points. Really quite odd as he didn't really do anything outstanding neither of us had a decent break. This has happended to me before and usually changes. It's a little like playing in thick mud the harder you try the worse it gets. Very strange day, I went for a hour in my local club that that night and had no problems I played old Alf and had a couple of 40 breaks.

Snooker Players Guide to English Billiards - Martin Goodwill

Whilst at Bradford I received a signed copy from Martin Goodwill of his new Book.

Anyone who is interested in English Billiards or any cue sport must get a copy it is fantastic. I have followed Martins website and learnt most of my shots from www.englishbilliards.org Now he has released the book which makes things even clearer than the website.

This a top quality hard back and should be in every cue sports collectors bookshelf.

In a small way I feel I contributed to the book as the book coincided with me taking up the game instead of Snooker and both Martin and Roger have picked my brains and experiences over the last few months and included sections in the book which I had real problems with. Hopefully now the book will help everyone get over those difficulties.

Martin has produced this book at his own expense so get your credit cards out and get buying this is the first Billiards book for years lets give him the support he deserves. You must know someone who needs to improve his or her cue game.

Visitors

I have added a map of visitors to the blog which is on the front page at the bottom left hand side. This is experimental as the normal stats only tell me how many visitors in total and their ip number.

In the last 6 months I have had 12,000 hits on the site from the following areas.

Australian
New Zealand
UK
Ireland
Scotland (Hi Roy)
Wales (Hi Roger Morgan)
Austria (Hi guys keep up the practice)
India
Sri Lanka
Hong Kong
USA
Canada


Just lately I have had a quite few hits from Canada and the US also someone in China. Hopefully if the map works properly it will give you some idea who is interested in this mad game. I do not have any adverts anymore on the pages which reduced site traffic by quite a few thousand, but who wants to see adverts for ebay.

Also time flies only 150 days left till my last major event the Police Championships in May. Not sure what I will do after that date maybe take up Pool or Bridge we shall see.

EBOS British Open - The Winners

(Left: Causier Right: Mike Russell)

Great players well deserved Winners wish I could play half as well as these guys.

EBOS British Open Bradford

Saturday 5th December
Off the Bradford only 30 miles which is a really nice change, means no Hotel and I can get home at night. Arrived just time the competition was as usual bang on time, slight change to the groups Brian Watson was moved to another group to even out the numbers as someone had dropped out.

My first game was Geoff Brassington, we had played before and I managed to keep up with him for about the first half hour, the table was very poor lots of kicks and although the cushions were springy the cloth was rubbish. Geoff only beat me by 100 points and and I managed a 31 break. It shows how poor the game was as he did not get a single 50+ break which is not like Geoff.

My next game was against Robert McCrum, I knew very little about him he is one of the Irish players and has played in some of the International games. He has the oddest cue action but seems to pot and play reasonably well. I played quite well and got about 35 in front. but with about 15 minutes to go he knocked in a 38 and a 26 to beat me by only a few points. I was unfinished on 10 when the bell rang. He has been playing for about 3 years but we are fairly equal. I feel a little disappointed as the longer the game went on the better I was playing.

I refereed Martin Goodwill and Norman Whaley. Martin won an easy victory and played reasonably well, he had a few breaks over 50 but nothing massive. He plays so well with a nice touch, he played some lovely little cannons around the black spot to regain TOTT.

I played Rob Hall next he is far to good for me I hardly had a shot he had a 153 and was unlucky as my ball just fell into the middle pocket. If it had stayed there I am sure he would have made an even bigger break. He plays really softly and has great feel and touch. He can also pot like a demon. Quite interesting when he gets to the top. he holds position quite well and plays lots of Reverse top (easy top) which he feels gives you more options for when you run out of position. I only score around 60 points although I did get a 25 when he missed at the top.

Sunday 6th December

Playing Phil Davis first thing this morning. We had an interesting game I played better than I did against him in Austria. It was all even at the half hour point, but his skill and experience began to show and he knocked in a couple of fairly quick 30 breaks. The table which I think Phil would agree was even worse than the other one I played on first. The cloth being very worn out and in desperate need off stretching. Phil won by a fair margin but I missed a simple red off it's spot on 35 which was my only decent break. Phil beating me put him into the quarters which was a great result as he has also defeated inform Geoff Brassington.

I managed to watch quite a bit of the action on various tables Mark Hurst was playing really well getting a couple of 200 breaks. David Causier seemed to be on fine form knocking in a 400 and loads of other breaks. Billy Bousfield had a 200 and I spotted Chris Taylor knocking in a few 150's.

Then there was Mike Russell he is head and shoulders above everyone else. He knocks in 100's likes most people knock in 30's. He can pot like a snooker pro but has the most wonderful touch around the spot. he simply has no bad points to his game. He probably just has the wrong attitude to the game like Ronnie O'sullivan. He knocked in massive breaks all weekend including a massive 794 missing a fairly easy loser in the middle. I had my camera ready for his last 100 points as it is £ 1000 for a 1000 break. Simple staggering he is clearly the best player around by a massive margin.

I drew CW Steiner in the plate. It was a tough game but I played quite well getting my standard shots quite well I also managed to get to the top a couple of times no breaks but a little 25. CW played badly he missed some really easy pots which I would have expected him to get. But he is such a nice chap turning up for all these competitions he is a tribute to Austria and the game.

I drew Michael White in the next round a bit of a tough one that as he is a very good player. I managed to keep with him all the way through the game he then got going and was 40 ahead. I ran in a quick 30 missing in in off where my ball just stuck on the edge of the pocket which put me level with about 3 minutes to go. He managed to get a quick 12 and kept me safe which won him the game.
I was very please to stay with him and to only miss out by a few points as he is a 100break man.

As the venue was local I managed to stay right to the end. The semis were good Martin Goodwill did well to come back in his game with Causier but who had a 400 break. But just won in the end.

The final was incredible and each player played really well but Russell was just too good. I really enjoyed this event the standard was better than anything else I have seen even the other comp at Birmingham and at Leeds where all the Indian players were entered this was a much higher standard.

I also keep a record of shame for all those players who have lost to me in the string the list gets longer.

Geet Sethi
Rupesh Shah
Rob Hall
Chris Taylor

There are many more on the list but I seem to win more than I lose.

Left to Right. (Rob Hall, Liam Clark, Geoff Brassington)

Left to Right (Phil Davis and Vic Hartly Ref)

Left to Right (Robert McCrum, Aonghus McAnally)

CW


Michael Wright

Stalybridge League - St Georges A v St Georges B

Had plenty of practice yesterday so quite happy to be playing last night in the Stalybridge League.
We were playing our 'A' team so things would be tough. We lost the first Snooker match and the captain put me on I was play Phil who is a reasonable player I'm still on -50 he's on +25 so 75 start first to 100. He has to score 75 I have to get 150.

I have finally got to grips with the table and had a 48 on the same table on Wednesday so I felt confident and I hardly missed a ball, I set off like a train getting 2 x 20 breaks and a 23. I got a few little 10 breaks and within 15 minutes I was 10 in front and he had not scored. He managed to score 30 by the end of the game and I ran out an easy winner 100-55.

I tried to explain to our captain last night that I was really happy my handicap has dropped because now I really have to concentrate and put some effort into my game where as before I was just going thru the motions. There are a few players who can play so now I have to switch on and get on with it and watch what I leave.

Steve Cannon and I went on last in the snooker doubles giving 37 start but it was an easy win. We lost the match 3-2 but this leaves us in second place at the Christmas break which is not bad won 10 lost 2 for the team, I'm on 14/14 with the two cup matches.

Looking forward to the weekend got the EBOS Open at Bradford which was the Irish competition.

My Draw is:

Geoff Brassington (again)
Rob Hall - I have refereed him but not played him
Phil Davis - Quite looking forward to our return match hope I play better
Robert McCrum - One of the Irish player don't know much about him looking back at the records he has had a couple of 50+breaks so may be dangerous
Brian Watson - Don't know much about him, I presume he is the sponsor at the names match. I have a feeling I saw him play at an ABC, I think he wasn't well and I refereed his game for him.

Again my target now is 125-150 points per match and I have had a 30 in each match so again I am hoping to get a 40 within the 5 hours play. The only thing is you don't get many chances against Rob, Geoff or indeed Phil for that matter, really looking forward to the weekend though, only local and it will be nice to see all the lads again.

Practice x 2

Had a couple of hours with Wayne Holbrook at Silktown yesterday afternoon and played really steady. I was really glad to see Wayne stop potting and play proper Billiards for once.

He set his stall out right from the start to avoid Spot Red potting and to concentrate on all round play. He did very well his half ball in-offs are now spot on he hardly missed one, he did stun the ball a few times which missed balls but he hadn't played for a week.

He played some lovely cannons and his middle pocket shots have improved, he just needs a little work on playing the ball thicker to control the shot. In fact it's something I have only just realised that for the last 4 weeks since playing Norman at Derby he showed me a long in-off shot which he plays quite thick with drag and a little running side since I have practiced that shot which occurs frequently and allows you to hold the object ball in the middle of the table for another shot.

In fact since then I have started to improve again getting loads of high 30 breaks every time I play and just over the past two weeks several 40 breaks. I know I had several 50 breaks by simply potting the red off it's spot back in April and march. But I don't count them as they are simply not Billiards. Mark Carrington had several against me in the 40's red ball pot's any decent player can do that.

Wayne noticed I was playing the loser differently I had a 28 break which was entirely long losers all around the pink area. I didn't notice that I came quite close to the loser limit of 15.

I showed him the shot after the game and he simply could not play the shot. he managed to practice it and until he was hitting it regularly. He seem quite happy as it will give him some extra control of the balls which is what this game is all about.

I also managed to sneak out for a knock at St Pauls, Stalybridge in the evening Phil Vidler and Roy Nelson (Captains of both Teams) were having a game of Billiards I had spent an hour with Phil a few weeks back and showed him the half ball shots and he has improved I can see a distinct improvement in his game, he dispatched quite a few half ball shot during his game he managed to win against Roy who is also improving a lot since he has got over his illness and put a little weight back on.

I played Phil next off our handicaps he is on 25 I'm on -50 first to 100. I played really well it's a very tight table very old the bags are really difficult the slightest touch on the side of a bag and the ball pops out. I got a couple of 15 breaks and then knocked a really nice 48 I was at the top and just had to tap a red 3 inches into the bag again to leave perfect top with his ball just by the side of the black spot and guess what missed the pot by 2 inches. What an idiot!!!

Not only was it a crap shot but I really felt I could have gone on and made a really massive break as I was cueing really well. and despite the breaks I was still 4 behind. I went on to win by a lot 100-61 finishing with a 29uf. I was really happy and played Roy next game. I can't understand how in the next game neither of us could get going I won but it was a real struggle the balls never went into a decent position. God it's maddening this game buzzing one minute, hopeless the next. I suppose I should be happy I know I am adding a few shots and breaks every week.

Looking a my diary I can see a definate pattern of increased breaks, I have played a lot over the past month or so but this months breaks are 3 shots more than last month on average. That's only 6-9 points but it makes a massive difference to go from regular 20 breaks to regular 30 breaks is a big leap in percentage terms.

Huddersfield League - New Mill V Lindley A

Over to Huddersfield this week, no rain to worry about this time instead 2 inches of Snow everywhere, great just what I needed the M62 was gridlocked with wagons struggling to get over the pass as they had not been out gritting yet.

I arrive cold and wet, this was an important match as Lindley are 2 points behind and a game in hand. So we needed at least a point to stay top. We won the first game and John our player had at least 15 flukes to win by loads. I went on second and was giving 15 start. We both played really poorly the table was like lightning and I kept over hitting my shots.

The other player David Tulley was also awful both I us should be ashamed with our game. he beat me 200-194 and either of us had a 10 break quite remarkable that if you think about it. We also lost the last game Brian Cousen played Peter Atkinson. I had not seen him play before he is quite old but what a nice player. He has a really classic style like Peter Shelley and Ron Agnew and plays lots of delicate Long Losers and as usual for the older players lots of middle red ball play. He dominated and we lost 2-1. This still leaves up top I have now lost two in a row. I didn't mind losing to Mathew Peaker the week before he was outstanding but this game was really poor.

Nice journey home though the snow had melted and I only had to content with the lashing rain!

What really annoyed me was I had gone for a practice in the afternoon and played quite well Mark Carrington had wiped me out 7 nil at snooker but I have played Billiards for our hour after and I played really well having 3 x 30 breaks. Strange how it goes this game. I do seem a little happier mixing my snooker and billiards together, it used to affect my cueing action but I have got used to my new grip now for both games.

Billiard Politics

It's quite funny really that over the last 8 months I have tried to understand all the different aspects of Billiards as a game and try to immerse myself in the game to try and understand exactly what it stands for.

However I can understand the beauty of the game and how difficult it is and how it should be the number one cue sport in the world what I can't understand is how the people who play this wonderful game who travel (as I have) all over the place with the sole purpose of just playing and enjoying the game can be so negative towards each other.

The latest spats have broken out on Billiard junkies, the same people work in both organisations ranging from the ref's to the players and yet they just can't get along and people wonder why Billiards and Snooker are on the decline again. Why can't all these NICE people who love these sports get together and stop acting like spoilt children. It's really silly I can fully understand why these sports are dying out with this sort of attitude around.

It's really sad that the same people in the EABA, EBOS EASB and any other of the multiple abbreviated groups are unable to work together for the good of this game. I know some people may take the hump with these comments but come on it's the game that matters not politics.

St Georges B v Parkbridge Institute

Had to go and play snooker in the Manchester League as the team I had agreed to play for last year were a player short and I had agreed to play the odd game despite only playing Billiards this year.

I went on an played really well The handicap were even I was giving him 2 start. The balls didn't run well and the frame was tactical but I won by about 40 and potted really well especially with the rest for some reason.

Over to the Parkbridge Institute, Ashton to play Billiards. The club is really difficult to find along a very narrow dark lane by the side of a disused mill which is now a visitor center of some sort. It was an old Victorian Mill/Ironworks. They made the steels rivets for the Eiffel Tower and The Titanic here.

The club house is a typical Village Hall except it has been restored to its Victoria Past. I can honestly say it is the nicest club I have ever been in, it was like stepping back 150years. The Billiard Room has leather seating all round with a large Marble Fireplace taking up one wall with a roaring coal fire lit. The table is dated 1901 with a label saying Orme & Sons Coronation table Edward VII.

The table is fully restored and has been recently recovered, there are even the old gas light fittings hanging down from the roof although the lights are modern ones. Really nostalgic feeling to the place.
I hope I could play well as everyone said the pockets were really tight. I have had my handicap slashed to -50 and was playing a young lad who was on 25. A 75 start but I have been playing well.

I started off quite well just getting lots of little breaks and managed to get into positive scores quite quickly. I had a few breaks around the 20 mark but I really played well my long losers were great and my potting was outstanding. The main problem with the table was that it must be the fastest table I have ever played on so a gentle tap could run the length of the table. I won easy running to 100 before he had scored 60. I had no problems with the pockets they seemed fine cut perfectly very much like the modern tables over a Pontins.

I tested the table afterwards it ran 6 times hitting the ball over the spots sometimes nearly 7, that's really quick. Most tables I play on do about 4. Still enjoyed the night still not lost one in this league yet, that's 11/11 so far. I wish every club was like this one if anyone is ever in the area it is definitely worth visiting the club just to have a look at the room.

some info on Orme & Co.

http://www.normanclare.co.uk/Orme.html

Practice Silktown Macclesfield

After last nights thrashing I was glad when Wayne Holbrook rang me and asked if I was free for a couple of hours in the afternoon 2-4. We played over at Silktown and had an enjoyable session, I played quite well again so last night was nothing to do with my game Mathew was just too bloody good for me.

Wayne had had a coaching session with Peter Shelley the day before so I was a little worried he may have picked up some devastating shots. I played very well straight from the start with a 17 and a couple of 20's and ran away to an early lead of around 100 points. This was strange as last time Wayne did the exact same thing to me.

I played some really nice billiards my game seems to have changed a little lately I realise I am concentrating on drop cannons and close cannons a little more with some nice in-offs around the pink spot and trying to play less red ball play than I used to do. This seems to have been a natural thing rather than something I planned but it seems to be working quite well.

I knocked in a nice little 38 break where his ball was tight on the cushion below the middle bag and I worked both balls out into open play by some in-offs and a couple of drop cannons. I missed a very simple half ball cross loser from the red spot on the 3-6-9 shot. Which would have been a simple 50 break where the white was over the bag just a little careless really.

I followed the break with a 33 a few shots later again missing a fairly simple loser. I won by about 70 points in the end. Wayne again started out potting and missed quite a few which stopped him scoring. Once he started to play some in-offs and cannons he began to get going. Next time we must practice a few more shots.

I was quite happy with the way I played against Mark last time and against Wayne regular high 30 breaks are fine by me especially when I seem to have moved on from regular 25 breaks. I am sure if I keep going it will be regular 50's soon. I must admit the only way to progress in this game is to keep control, once you get the balls in those easy scoring positions breaks seem to happen without trying.

I have really avoided potting at all cost lately trying to only get a pot when I have used a cannon to push the balls near the pocket, this means that it's usually a very short distance pot rather than a dangerous long pot. this seems to have worked wonders for my game. I hate to say it but I really am beginning to see what this game is all about and visualise patterns of regular play. My inoffs have really improved lately all the practice seems to be working.

Huddersfield League - New Mill V Brockholes

The weather was ok going over the Woodhead Pass tonight. We lost the first two games and I went on last against Mathew Peaker. I getting 170 start, Mathew having to score 300 points me 130.

I knew straight away things were going to be tough when he knocked in 48 on his first visit, he missed and I scored 10. He then proceeded to knock in 44, 38, 46 and 31 on his next visits. He never missed a ball and when he did I struggled to get going as he tended to miss long in offs which left the balls separated.

He got a couple of 15 breaks to finish off the game, I was totally outclassed I can't complain to much as I had won my last 7 games. The final score being 200-137 I managed to score 67 which surprised me as I hardly had a chance.

Still there is always next time, first match we had lost we need to win next week as it's Lindley who are in second place.

Also met a nice chap Mike Holding who had come over from Holmfirth to watch the game. He knows John Ingleby and has read this blogg. He is thinking of taking up Billiards and trying the exam. Hopefully we may get together for a game sometime. I think he will enjoy it.

As usual the journey home was like driving in a monsoon, driving rain the like of which I have never seen before. The Woodhead Pass was just a river, I thought it was bad luck that it rained every tuesday I think it some weird thing that only inflicts tuesday nights in Huddersfield.

Handicap Changes - Stalybridge League

Just received an email from the Stalybridge League who play 100 up on the thursday nights. Not good news my handicap has gone from scratch to -50 following complaints from several teams and that I have not lost a game all season and won by 80 last week. Not my fault the league rule is all new players start on scratch.

Well I am quite happy as I have looked at my results and I have always won by a big margin so it just means I get more time at the table to score a few more quite often it can be over in a handful of visits.

They have also dropped my snooker handicap to -18 which is a bit mean as I have only played a couple of games when they have been short.

Off to New Mill tonight the weather looks pretty bad as is usual for a tuesday night. I will up the results later we are playing a very good side tonight Brockholes who have 3 really good players. Mathew and David Peaker (they play in a few ABC's) and another lad who is quite useful.

Display V Silk Town Macclesfield League

Surprise Surprise I drew Wayne Holbrook (again). We had a nice quick game Wayne potting his way to a win, we both played quite well nothing fancy just quick scoring. If you remove the handicap I'm giving 60 start to him when he is just as good as me if not better then I won by 7.

We lost the next and I had to dash off to my other match at Stalybridge. Just made it in time my friend Steve went straight on and beat Tony Fletcher and he played well.

I won an easy Billiards match 100-58. I was miles better but he managed to smash the balls around and get 7 flukes and score 28 off them. I had no flukes. Won easy my handicap will change by 50 next week due to my 10 wins. That should make things a little more difficult.

No breaks but a couple of 20s. Then forced into playing doubles and managed a nice win playing with Steve Cannon.

Practice before Match

Mark Carrington asked me for a game of snooker this afternoon as he had a match coming up. I reluctantly agreed, I have been avoiding Snooker as I feel it interferes with my Billiards.

We played for two hours and he beat me 8-2, he did not play that well on what was a slow table. He still managed a couple of 50 breaks and a nice 78 which should have been a lot more. I picked up two frames which was OK one was very scrappy and the other I managed a 31 and a 25.

He agreed to play an extra hour of billiards at the end which suited me nicely before my match.

I started off with a little 15 break and a few little 6/7's. Mark knocked in a 27 all pot reds. The game went scrappy and both of us struggled. I played a nice drop cannon and pushed the red over the top back and left me at the top. I got a lovely 41 all really nice flowing cannons and cross losers up to the middle bag. Only a cover stopped me. Mark missed a pot and I went to the table and carried on scoring getting 39, missing a long loser. Mark potted my ball and baulked me, I hit a sweet fluky cannon and knocked a 36.

We carried on and in the hour I scored over 370 points in the hour to Marks 160. He did manage a 43 break mainly potting.

I can honestly say I have never played better flowing billiards every shot seemed really easy and in total control. It was like some sort of dream where no matter what I did everything did exactly as I wanted. Every shot was mm perfect. Just for 20 minutes I felt like Martin Gooodwill or Roy Bacon. Almost like someone had thrown a switch and made me into a good player for an hour. What a lovely feeling to finally play the game even for a brief time really well.

Mark was quite impressed he said I was playing like the old chap he had seen in Huddersfield (Tony Clegg - I had forgotten he had come to watch my game two weeks ago) he said my use of side and drag were just like Tony, well that's high praise hope I can keep it up. After that I will probably play rubbish tonight.

Huddersfield League - NewMill V Milnsbridge Liberal

Went to SilkTown at 2pm for a game with Wayne Holbrook, again he raced off to a fantastic start, he never missed a pot for the first 30 minutes ending about 100-10 ahead.

However you can't keep potting and Billiards will always beat a snooker in the end as it gives you room for errors. I slowly started scoring and finding my distance. The table threw a little wide but after 30 minutes I never missed a long in-off.

I quickly caught him up and he kept missing the same shots mainly screw shots or stuns into the pocket. He knew to play these with reverse side but seemed to be struggling with them. I quickly caught him up getting a few 20's and never missed a long one.

We played for 2 hours and I ended up winning by about 35 despite being 100 behind and Wayne knocking in a 41. It was a very interesting game from a pure Billiards point I played very well hardly missing when I had the chance and got some great positional shots. Wayne potted so well I must play him a snooker one day he must be really sharp. The game exposed the difference between us, although I have only been playing a few months longer than Wayne some of my billiard shot are more advanced than Wayne. His half ball and long in-offs have really improved lately but he still misses them more than me. The little stuns under the 90degree rule I get nearly all the time he missed loads of these but he never missed a pot.

Next time we should practice a few shots for him first. He is still opting for potting when there is a perfectly good in-off.

Off to Milnsbridge Liberal club, Huddersfield. Just for a change the the weather is well like a bloody hurricane. Every Tuesday it pours down with gale force winds over the pennines. Had to go across the M62 this time the spray from the wagons was bloody awful. The club is perched in the bottom of a valley with really steep access roads very hard to find even with my sat nav.

I knew I was going to be late so I was playing last. When I arrived Derek Hey was playing he was a little rusty after his trip to New York. Bit of pressure on me as my handicap has been slashed from 85 to 70 as I have now won 6/6 games plus the two warm ups.

I played John Brook who was on 85 and quite a good player. I managed to catch him up and stayed about 15 ahead until the end when I knocked in a nice 21 and a 19 to finish the game off with me needing only 15 to win. He played poorly by all accounts but I didn't leave him anything and never missed a ball on which was nice.

We won 3-0 and that puts us clear at the top of the league on 16 points. Seven of which I scored. Although I have managed to avoid most of the good players so far. I am quite happy with my game at the moment, still not getting any breaks but playing much better.

English Amateur - Derby

Over to Derby to the Beaconsfield club on Wilson Street for my English Amateur games.
I have drawn a really tough group of Peter Shelley, David Reece and Norman Routledge.

I arrived at 10.30 and meet everyone, they are all so nice these old chaps its a delight to be involved with this game. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Geoff Brassington was there and a few others I knew.

My first game was against the inform Peter Shelley. What can I say about the game Peter was magnificant his shot selection, in-offs and control were awsome he scored over 700 points in the 90 minutes I managed a paltry 100. I was quite lucky as he was 428-2 up at one point. He had endless breaks missing a simple red on 98. I was not upset it was a pleasure to watch a master a work. He is one of the few players who changes his grip according to the shot he is playing from a tight grip for a pot to a loose hold with his fingertips for a screw back. Awsome to watch, he also played very quickly and went to the Top which did surprise me as I expected him to be a long distance all round player.

I then played David Reece who I had met a Woking. this was his home club and I knew he was a great player. I managed to keep up with him for 20 minutes then he knocked in 48 and followed it with a 94, he missed a difficult cannon which if he had got he would have been in prime position. He beat me by quite a lot in the end. I did score 150 which was my target for each match. David was struggling with his hip which was obviously very painful, I tried to wind him up before the match saying he should not carry one playing as he was in so much pain. Didn't work but we did have a great game nice to watch he plays with a lot of side very interesting slow deliberate style I think I could learn a bit of David given a a few hours practice.

Next came Norman Routledge, I have played him before and lost getting a massive start.
He was a little tired after all games, He still beat me but only managed one decent break in the game. I keep forgetting he's quite old now but still a great player.
I played quite well scoring 200 points he scored 425.

I felt a little sorry for him at the end as everyone thought he had qualified for the next round as the referee had not put my extra 100 on the bottom of the board even though the top showed the 100. Only after I signed the card did every one realise I had scored the extra 100 which meant that Geoffs friend John had qualified by a few points.

Enjoyed the day, very tiring these longer matches but lots of practice for me. I would gladly pay the £ 20 entry fee just to watch these guys in action.

Stalybridge 'B' v Mosley 'A'

Played very well tonight played at home venue without a practice before hand and played the quickest 100 up I have managed.

5 Visits won 100-23 had a 17,28,25,4 ran in unfinished on 28. All over and done in about 20 minutes. Very pleased and I managed a Phil Davis shot but slightly varied the shot to make a difficult cannon.

Dont think I played any long losers which seems very strange. It was all cannons and pots tonight.

Also my mate Steve has started playing for us and He won the snooker after playing really well.

Huddersfield League - New Mill V Springwood BC 'A'

Quite looking forward to this game as they have a couple of really good players on their team.
Tony Clegg who plays in some of the ABC and English Am competitions. He is a very good player with a lovely touch and Rob Armitage who I saw play in the ABC at Leeds.

The trip over was a bit slow the Woodhead was covered in thick fog / low mist managed to get their on time and Mark Carrington decided to come and watch.

The first game was just starting which we won John Bowden played quite well for us.

I had drawn Rob and was getting a massive start he is on -95 I am on 85. I was a little worried as I am not playing that well and I had seen his list of massive breaks. I broke off and the game was a little scrappy. I played safe but he managed to pot the red down the rail and got 68 off it. He is clearly a snooker player rather than a billiards player but he combines the two quite well. he reminds me of Geoff Brassington in his style although I think Geoff is the better billiards player.

I had a couple of visits and tried to leave him safe I only scored about 30 points in 10 visits. he had a couple of 30's and then knocked in a 58.

I managed a few points but he was catching me rapidly and having all the luck with several flukes around the table. He ended up 15 points behind with me needing 65. I decided to change tactics and just played safe. He started to go for a few shots and I still played safe unless a ball was over the bag. Suddenly he left me at the top and I managed 15 points and played safe leaving my ball and his on opposite cushions.

The game went tactical and he realised I had change my game. I potted his ball a couple of times and tried to leave a double baulk. He missed an easy pot and left me nothing. I smashed his ball down the rail and somehow screwed back half way up the table (not intended) but left a tough red. I went for it and both balls ended in baulk. He missed and left me on in baulk and I scored 20 all cannons. I played a long loser and missed but fluked the red in the middle. The tide had changed and I ran in 21 to leave me one point short I played safe and left a double baulk he missed giving me the game.

I was quite happy I had beaten him over the last 80 points he had hardly scored anything but without the start I would have been overwhelmed.

Peter Akinson went on last and lost but we had maintained our unbeaten record. I had also drawn Robert in the handicapped cup so the game counted double as he had agreed to treat the league match as the cup game. So I am also through in the cup. Double delight for me.

Still a nice night however a little spoiled by Robert who had a silly argument with one of our players rather unsporting maybe he was upset at losing but its the first time I have seen any billiards player have a fall out it's usually so friendly.

ABC Woking

Went to Woking with Wayne Holbrook who has just started the game. Bloody long way to go for a game but I wanted him to see the players in action and the way the matches were organised.

I got Tina Owen-Sevilton who potted like a dream she won 251-115. I was a little disappointed as I played really poorly. I think the drive down and the drive from Scotland the previous day took it's toll on me.

Wayne got Craig Murphy in his draw. I didnt tell him how good he was but Craig never missed a ball. He had a 104 and a 51 finishing 362-157. Wayne did quite well getting a 38 break towards the end. with 30 minutes to go he had hardly scored a point, it just goes to show how things change in a game. Wayne outpointed Craig in the last 20 minutes.

We watched quite a few game until the plate and I had drawn Wayne. He set off like a train and beat me quite well, 122-68.

Wayne really enjoyed the day although I was too tired especially with a the drive back. We saw some great games and witnessed a few hundred breaks. Quite worthwhile for the experience.

Stalybridge 'B' V Mossley 'B'

Off across the Pennines to Mossley another little tiny club in the middle of no where. They were quite a good team and have the best billiards player in the league a chap call Darren Beswick who is on -80. The unfortunate thing is that as a new player in the league I have to start on scratch '0' even though our Captain put to the commitee that I should be on the same as Darren.

Once I have played half the season they can then adjust my handicap, seems stupid but never mind. I drew Darren which I was pleased about as I have been playing nice and steady.

I broke off and left the classic red in baulk an white on cushion. He played a cannon but hit the middle jaw and kissed across the table hit the other middle jaw and up to get an cannon. First shot a fluke sort of sums up my luck. He then ran in 29 from it and missed a simple pot.

I ran in 15 and played safe. The game went a little scrappy but every time he scored I scored the same or similar amounts. I ran in 24 unfinished to win. 100-12.

This meant he scored 92 I scored 100 so I won by 8 and I didn't feel that I played well at all I know I can play miles better than that. Nice win and pleased to show everyone there is a new kid in town.

Huddersfield League - Upper Hopton V New Mill 'B'

Bloody awful stormy night again over the Pennines again, this is the furthest club and very remote tucked up on the side of a hill in the middle of absolutely no where.

Nice table with under table heaters as the club gets very cold in the winter.

We won 2-1, my game was quite a strange affair I went on last playing Dennis Rourke who is a very good player he was on -60 I am still on +85 giving me 145 start. I played very steady just scoring in 7 and 8's, he had a bit of a nightmare game missing some easy balls and some easy pots. I potted very well but the table was really difficult it had a really wide throw so I missed many in-offs during the game so I stuck to my plan of potting his ball and scoring off the red when I could. If I had an easy opening I would take the billiards shot if possible.

The final score was 200-77 to me, he scored 137 I scored 115 so I was reasonably happy with the result he admitted afterwards this was his worse game so far. I did nothing really my highest break was 13 unfinished to run out.

Another win to me that's 5 in a row where I have just scrapped home. The team must be top of the league again after that win.

Stalybridge League - Beaky Conservative Club

Went to Beaconsfield Conservation Club on Thursday and played an old chap giving him 25 start.
He could actually play a little bit and managed to score 20. The table was bloody awful I don't think the cloth had ever been changed, it was actually shiny the cloth almost like an old pair of trousers when they have been Ironed to much.

The balls were terrible very very old I can honestly say they were the worst I have ever played with. They were so light covered in tiny cracks like a crazed plate.

I still won and played very well for some reason. It was all over in 6 visits to the table. I ran in
18 and followed it by a 25 I potted the red off its spot and left my white covering the red spot so that it would go on the pink spot leaving me a simple cannon onto the white which was below the middle pocket. The ref put it on the blue spot. I pointed out his error but they insisted after a rather a hated argument that was correct. From now one I will carry a full copy of the rules with me as they have no idea. Instead of a simple cannon I had a really hard screw across shot which I missed.

Next visit 20, 18 and ran in unfinished on 16 to win. Started at 8:10pm finished 8:23pm. God they are rubbish in this league I have still not seen anyone who can really give me a game.

Added a couple of pictures again courtesy of Peter Manns web site hope they don't mind.

Just about to play a shot against Phil Mumford

Collecting my runners up Certificate and Prize money and having my hand broken.

Practice - Wayne Holbrook

Over to Silk Town for a practice game with Wayne. Since our last practice / coaching session he really has improved. Anything that is half ball now gets dispatched straight away without hesitation which I a great sign.

He is also beginning to adjust the half ball by making it thinner and thicker as the shot demands. I think next time I will have to show him the way side affects a half ball cannon. I am only just getting used to it myself but he is going to have to try these shots anyway if he wants to compete.

We played a game and talked through each shot why he had selected a shot and what the resulting position was going to be. Again just like me he knows what he wants to do but can't quite manage it. We had a particular shot in the middle bag which he elected to play as a half ball loser in the middle. He left the object ball in baulk. I played the same shot but thinner and 1/4 ball slightly forcing it in and the ball stayed in the middle of the table but a little near the baulk line. I then played the same shot but as a half ball loser in the bottom bag and left perfect top of the table position (a little lucky but never mind).

Three ways to play one shot he was quite shocked as he had never considered other shots. I said there were probably even more that, another decent player may pick out even more options but I had not got all the answers.

He played a long loser in the top bag from the 'D' and wanted the ball in mid table he failed. I played the same shot but with drag and the balls only moved 3 feet. He could not get that shot at all. He practiced the same shot 20 times before the slow drag shot kicked in. He will always be able to play that shot now just nobody had showed him.

He is also getting lots more side on the cue ball now. The spotted ball helped show he had made significant progress with his cueing he was really getting the ball to spin.

A situation came up where the balls were in place for a couple of quick nursery cannons. I AM NO GOOD at these despite hours of practice. However I keep underestimating my skill level when compare with Wayne. At least I had put 4 or 5 hours in trying the shot over the past few months. I managed about 10 small cannons along the rail before losing position and potting the red. But he realised the potential of the shot as a quick few extra points with little risk.

We stopped and I showed him the way I had practiced the shot with Roger Morgan and in addition I played the Rocker Canon showing him how the yellow just rocks a tiny bit. I played 25 in a row (50 break) before stopping. I had not played this shot for weeks but they just worked first time. Sometimes I play this shot and manage about 3 so I was very lucky.

He was totally amazed by my efforts, I explained that I was hopeless and he should just try out the shots when he has time and not get bogged down with such difficult shots. I did point out that they really help you develop a nice touch when the ball are close together so they were worth a bit of an effort.

I enjoyed the night as I realise that although I am only just understanding the basics of billiard in the past 6 months I have really made massive strides in the game. I just never really knew it until last night. I can't believe that I am trying to coach and encourage someone else when I have only just been doing this for a few months I don't want to put him off but to encourage him to carry on and master as much as he can. He is already a totally different billiards player a few more months of intensive work and he will overtake me as his potting skills are much better.

I have gone back over the blog today and realise just how much effort and practice I have put in in the last 6 months, I think it has really been worthwhile any snooker players out there who are fed up with the sport take up billiards it gives you so much more in return and will improve your snooker skills as well.

Wayne is going to enter the Bradford English Open as a Wild card and is going to do the exam with Paul Dunning as soon as he can, that will really boost his confidence if he can past that as well.

Huddersfield League - NewMill 'A' V NewMill 'B'

Over the Pennines again for an match against our other team the 'A' Team. They were level on points with us so whoever won this would be top of the rankings.

No much top say really we won 2-1. Mainly due to the handicaps. I played a reasonable game the chap I was playing Richard was on the same handicap as me I managed to get and hold a 20 point lead all the way to the end of the game. Winning 200-179 with a final couple of nice long distance cannons giving me the win.

I found out that was the first match he had lost all season. I have won 4 lost 0. This is down to luck and handicap and a little bit of good play. There were a few moans about my start but all new players start on 115 I am on 80 and it is reviewed after 6 games. I have only won by about 30points in each game so I think its about right.

There were a few 40 and 30 breaks but not by me I managed a 23.

The link to the league web site is www.huddersfieldsnooker.com

English Open - Extra Bit

Just managed to have look at the Ebos Web site and there are some really good results.

Firstly Patrick Stegmeier defeated Eddie Fielding. That's a very good result Eddie is a very good player with lots of experience. Well done Patrick.

Martins Breaks were simply brilliant he had 100 in nearly every game.

Liam winning the plate was great, he knocked in three breaks over 50 in his matches and managed to beat Eddie and Gary Norman in the final.

I felt a little sorry for Gary as he missed a pot red on 97 in the plate against Phil Davies.

Also Tina beating Ron Agnew was a great result he is so steady.

So really good results I just need to start getting a few wins going.

EBOS English Open - Boston

Off to Boston with my Friend Steve Cannon to play, set off arrived after 2 hours at the Hotel.
Quite nice the guest house found John Hartley and Liam having Breakfast along with Eddie Fielding and his wife.

Managed to get our room straight away and off to the club in a taxi. There was a method to this as it meant I could have a drink. Arrived at Chris Taylors club which was really nice they had made a really great effort to get things ready on time. The tables looked nice and as usual Clive had got everything under control. All the usual crowd were there along with a couple of Austrians Patrick and CW.

I had a ridiculous draw and played Roy Bacon first as expected I lost Roy played really well knocking in a couple of 50+breaks. He shocked me a little as he scored mainly by potting but i expected him to play lots of canons. As usual he was a true gentleman and it was a pleasure to watch him play. I wish I could play half the shots he does his touch on small canons is truly artistic.

Chris Taylor next and the less said about that one the better. I hardly had a shot Chris just stayed at the table for most of the hour, he didn't get many big breaks but just got 30-40 every time.

Geoff Brassington well as expected great player got lots of breaks but did leave me a few chances when he missed at the top of the table.

Jamie Barker played really well he missed out on a 50 twice getting 47 and 43. I really have a lot to learn.

I did however manage to see Clive Everton and get him to sign a Snooker Book he wrote several years ago. That was kind of him and I could not believe how tall he was you only see him sat down on TV.

I enjoyed the tournament the standard was really high I saw loads of big breaks a few complained about some of the tables but i thought they were OK but what do I know. My highest Break was a paltry 27, I did get quite a few 20's but nothing to shout home about. I was rather disappointed but I did not get much table time. I did manage to score 125 in most of my games which was my target except for the game with Chris.

I had the plate to look forward to I may have played better if I hadn't had so much to drink Steve kept buying me pints all day still no wife or car to worry about helped them go down.

Chris had booked a Chinese meal in the town so we rushed to the hotel to get showered and straight back to the club. £ 22 all in for food and drink. Great value I thought managed another 6 pints in the evening along with a great meal. He had also arrange for a very nice Latvian Singer to entertain us. (don't remember much else after this)

I drew Patrick the Austrian in the plate again whats the chances of that. He managed to get about 50 in front before I started to play a little. Then just like in Austria I had a series of flukes which were simply staggering. I scored 16 points in a row each shot being a fluke. I managed to win by a handful of points. I felt really sorry for him as I had ALL the luck. Fluke after Fluke, I must have had 20 - 30 in total.

Played Roy Bacon in the next round, he beat me but I did play reasonable getting 3 x 20 breaks.
I enjoyed the weekend. Steve enjoyed watching but was upset United Lost.

Macclesfield League - Norman Routledge

Played Norman in the League last night I was getting 175 start. Yes thats right 175 Start going to 200 up so I needed to score 175 whilst he needed to scored 375.

Needless to say I lost final score 200-184 to Norman. Wow!!!

He played as well as anyone I have ever seen play like a cross between Bem French and Steve Crosland. He never missed any loser in the middle of the table and his canons were superb.

I can honestly say for an 78 year old bloke I have never seen such an outstanding display of sustained points scoring. He got 57, 47, 42, 39, 38 and many more. In addition he did not leave me anything at all and when i did get in I failed.

Still what a great night lovely to watch a real traditional billiards player.

Practice

An interesting Billiards day today, went to the Silkroad Club in Macclesfield and met Wayne Holbrook and had a couple of hours practice, nice and sedate with no pressure made a nice change.

I played quite well getting 7 x 20 breaks in 300 up, Wayne is improving he still needs to work on his half ball but his potting is outstanding. He also informed me he met John Hartley at a snooker comp for the juniors. He managed a couple of 20's and right at the end potted my ball from a cannon and ran in 47 from the red. I pointed out he could only do 15 hazards off the red (45) which he found funny but it was a great effort.

The final score was 300-230 to me which I was pleased with I played consistently and potted well.

This evening I went to Stalybridge to play Phil Vidler at Billiards for a couple of hours. We had been playing 100 up and I beat him 100-14. He said 'I have been playing this game for 10 years and never had a 25 break how do you do it. Is it possible to show me how to play the game properly'

I then spent an hour showing him the half ball shot and how to play some basic in offs and cannons from set positions. He was simply amazed how you can get losers time after time from these set positions. We then played 100 up again and I beat him 100-45 and he had 2 x 15 breaks.

Nice bit of practice today got lots of 20-25breaks don't know why I am not getting bigger breaks but at least I am being consistent and steady. All the better for the weekend.

EBOS English Open

Just received the draw for the English Open this weekend. Thing's don't look good.

Chris Taylor
Roy Bacon
Geoff Brassington
Peter Stanyer
Jamie Barker

I expect to get thrashed by Chris Taylor, especially on his own tables that will be a nightmare he is devastating in amonst the balls.

Roy is off his head but an absolute gentleman although I expect to get beaten by a large amount he should give me a few pointers and I may pick up a few interesting shots from him.

Geoff is a man in form he seems to be playing well in all his comps at the moment, he has recorded quite a few 100's this year I can see the snooker player in him, but he has picked up billiards and is going to be the man who everyone fears over the next few year. he had a 48 and a 50 in the same game when I marked his match at leeds in the ABC. He knocked in the 48 in about 2 minutes. Very impressive.

Jamie Barker again should thrash me but he is the only player who I stand any chance against. I watched him play Phil Welham at the last ABC, Phil played really well and went on to win the comp but Jamie played below average. So if I can catch him on a bad day I may picked up 5 points.

I set my sites on scoring 100 points in an hour for my previous games I am increasing that to 125 for the next tournaments as I feel I have made some progress over the last few months.

My mate Steve is coming with me to watch, he is a pool player but thought it would be fun. Nice to have some support as Paula is looking after the kids.

Match 3 - Huddersfield League New Mill V Lindley B

Off to Huddersfield again this time Lindley Liberal Club. This is about the furthest club from home 37 miles across the M62 and down off Junction 24. Only took about 35 minutes as it's all motorway.

Very nice Victorian Club Building. the table was super, lightning quick with new cushions and balls. They certainly maintain the tables in this league every club table has been fantastic so far.

We won the match 3-0. I played second a chap called Donald Green. He was on 115 and I was on 85. No much of a start I rattled in a quick 14 and a 20 to pull level, after that it was rather boring I played ok just keeping in front by about 20. I found the table difficult due to it being so quick a loser in the middle hit gently ended up in baulk, it never seemed to stop rolling.

I finished with 14 and won 200-170. No great play but steady he could play a little billiards but was hopeless at potting.

The last game was interesting Peter Atkinson played a young snooker player who could really pot. He ended up needing 45 to win by 3 and he ran in the 45 unfinished to get the highest break of the night and a win for us he had hardly done anything up to this point.

Played 3 won 3 is not a bad start althought they have been close games.

Austria Video Extract

I have extracted a small section of my recorded match from Austria. These video's do not belong to me they are copyrighted by Peter Mann and team and I hope no one from Austria objects.

If anyone does I will gladly remove them from the web site simply send me an email to p_stanyer1@hotmail.com and I will take down the file straight away.

You don't get many chances against a player like Phil Mumford so I am surprised I scored anything at all. Only after watching these videos do you notice my bloody awful cue action it's improved a little over the past 6 months but I am still moving on the shot and can't quite get down on the shot due to my glasses. I get a 27 break but its really a struggle.

Pity they didn't spell my name correctly, still no one does all my life no one gets it right.

My surname is Stanyer. I always tell people STAN and YER. Most spell it
Stanver, Stanger, Stanier. They just dont get the Y.

Match 2 - Stalybridge League

Off to St Pauls, Stalybridge second match of the season. The standard is rather poor but it's a bit of practice were were playing our A Team at home.

I felt a little sorry for them as we beat them last time and we beat them again this time. We won the first snooker match on the black rather poor standard. I went on second playing billiards and played Michael again and thrashed him, 100-52 giving 10 start.

No breaks but a win is a win a few 17-18 breaks missed out on ToTT played a stupid shot on 18.

Play doubles at snooker and won.

Match 2 Huddersfield League - New Mill

Another long trip over the Woodhead Pass to New Mill (my so called Home Venue 27miles).

Playing Bradley and Colnebridge, This is John Inglebys team so I am expecting them to be pretty good. We lost the first frame by only 10 points. I went on second and played Mick Patmore.

A nice player, very good potter of the ball snooker background I presume. The game was rather scrappy but he took a bit of a running start getting 70 ahead. He was on 85 handicap the same as me. I knew I had to be patient as a Billiards player should beat a snooker player in the long term.

I was 60 behind with him only needing 13 to win when I struck a little bit of form getting 14 and he missed a simple pot and let me in. I ran in 18 again he missed a simple shot and I ran in 20 unfinished to grab a remarkable win 200-192. I was delighted I had really dug deep and managed some really nice losers to keep the breaks going, he was not impressed.

Derek Hey went on last and managed a 39 break which included 10 flukes, he ran out an easy winner. John Ingleby had a 32.

The standard was pretty good for the night no big breaks but I can tell I am going to learn at lot in this league they all know how to play this game to a decent level. Two wins in a row but close games show the handicap is about right and the team has had a winning start winning 2-1 each time.

After a little reflection on the games it is clear that this league contains a wealth of billiard knowledge held by the players. For example after my game one of the other players gave me some advice on a couple of shots I had played explaining if I had hit the shot a little thinner it would have resulted in a better position and that he thought I still need to cue through the ball a little more and that I was still jabbing my shots slightly. This wasn't done as a critisism of my play it was just helpful.

Another player said I had been very lucky to win, although I had scored 60 in three visits it was only due to the other player playing a bad shot twice that I won. He suggested I pay a little more attention to my safety game especially at the end of a match to keep the other player off the table. Again this was done and said in a very helpful and constructive way.

I think I will learn a lot from this league time is passing by and I realise I will never be the best billiards player around but at least I should be able to manage an slightly above average club standard.

Milage Error

Just updated the distance to Vienna it was 1100 each way. Thanks for the rather sad person who pointed that one out to me.

On a billiards note I forgot to mention I played one of the Phil Davis Shots in my last match the long cannon off the cushion glance off the red and down onto the white. I had practiced this for about 30 minutes and never expected to use it so soon.

I must stress to everyone that the only way you can get better as this game is to watch and play better players and get them to show you a few of their shots. Each player has a mental store of shots they use over and over. I have picked up shots from Paul Dunning, John Inglby and Phil amonst others which I would never have thought off on my own.

You can reach a certain level in the game by learning the half ball shots from books and from Martins web site. But there comes a point when you are on your own and must learn new shots by pinching them from other people.

Macclesfield League / Stalybridge Thursday 8th Oct

Played at Disley in my second match for the Macclesfield League. They have hammered my handicap I am now off scratch and was giving 120 to an old chap I lost the paper with his name on. Rather a scrappy start to the game but I got a couple of 20 breaks then he knocked in 21 and 17. Before I knew it I was on 90 and he was on 189. I played carefully but he could actually play quite well, he knew the half ball quite well.

I carried on and got to 182 before he potted my ball twice to reach 200. I was a little disappointed to lose as I had pulled back quite well. I suppose that's what the handicap is for but it certainly makes it harder you can't play open billiards.

I then went off to Stalybridge to play in the other league ( I am losing the plot I can't really manage two leagues on the same night but I am giving it a go for 12 months I just hope they keep letting me play first in the Mac league. )

Again played a chap who's name I have lost. I won a fairly easy game, no breaks to speak off. The only points he scored were all flukes smashing the ball around. I was giving 35 start and final score was 100-75 to me.

It really is a bit much playing three times in a week, Tuesday in Huddersfield, Thursday x 2 and then a couple of hours practice in the club.

Huddersfield League - match 1 Berry Brow

Off to Berry Brow Liberal Club, Huddersfield for my first Winter League Billiards game in the Huddersfield League. 25miles drive over the top of the Woodhead Pass in the most awful rain and storm. As I got the top I was talking to Martin Goodwill about his book when I lost signal and as I dropped down to the valley past the Holmfirth TV Transmitter it began to Snow.

It's a times like this I think to my self what the hell am I doing travelling all this distance for a stupid game of Billiards. I arrived and the only chap I knew was a Police man called Derek hey and he wasn't going, he had rung me to let me know he was not coming. So a 60 mile round trip in a storm over the highest hills in the peak District to a club I have never played at, to meet team mates I had never met to play Billiards. You know I always thought the other billiard players were mad I must be deranged as well.

On arrival I met the other players who were quite nice and were expecting me. They said I could play first as I had had such a long trip. But I was there for the night. We won the first match 200 up off handicaps. I went on second and was on 85 my opponent Sid Cogger was on 115. Giving 30 I won 200-170. I had won by 60 in effect. I played steady no breaks but the standard was quite good from all the players lots of 15-20 breaks and they all knew the half ball shots and I saw a few jennnys, In fact I played and got a short and long Jenny in my game.

We lost the last game so we won 2-1 on the night not a bad start to the season. I texted Derek who was pleased to get off to a winning start. Horrible trip on the way home freezing and very foggy. Took me 40 minutes.

Austrian Open Part 2

Still no internet at home so I am having to use the library (thanks BT we appreciate your good customer service NOT!).

The final was always going to be a one sided affair. Phil Davis is the quiet under rated player of English Billiards. He sort of just fades into the background however after watching him and looking at his record I knew this was a difficult draw for me.

Phil is quite a slow deliberate player but this had the advantage that I actually got to watch each shot he played how he addressed the cue ball and the methods he used for each shot. On almost every visit he scored 15-20 points and was very unlucky not to get into a really decent break. He also play extremely safe when he had no shot he tucked me up on the cushion.

He scored 110 points in 4 visits to the table. I had scored 12. Still I tried my best and only towards the end did I score anything at all. In fact I was on 40 with Phil on 195, when I had a string of flukes that you just would not believe every ball I hit for about 15 shots went around the table and got a cannon or inoff. This went on like a strange disease for some times the funny thing was even the very attractive lady referee was laughing by this stage I have simply never seen such luck by any player anywhere. Poor Phil he really suffered for about 10 minutes before he managed to wrap up a well deserved victory.

The ref and marker both agreed they had never seen anyone have luck like this before for such a sustained period. However that's billiards for you. I had already tried putting Phil off by chatting to him through out the match but no luck. I think if I look back on it his average for the game would be around the 15 mark which was pretty good. He played at a totally different level than many players had achieved on the difficult tables.

However I did manage to pick up 3 new shots from him during the game. He played a run through loser against the nap to get a long distance cannon. I have tried this and it really works well. His best shots were his cannons off the cushion. I had never seen these played before he never missed one. I have spent some time trying these and have now managed to get a few, this is quite a handy shot.

His best shot was playing from the D hitting the edge of the middle jaw cannon off the red down the rail and cannon on the white near the bottom jaw. This was a deliberate and delicate shot wow simply brilliant. I have never even thought of using a jaw to get an angle on another ball.

I had enjoyed my lucky run to the final and at the presentation I did receive a loud cheer and clapping from the Austrians I think they appreciate my efforts and luck they know my playing level is similar to them.

I had a great time and have learnt a lot from the weekend. Firstly all the billiard players from the UK are completely mad, they all have some sort of strange billiards disease I am very worried I have caught the same thing. Roy Bacon is completely off his rocker he is also very able to play this game. I watched one of his matches and he played two of the most wonderful shots I have ever seen. A fantastic Massee shot which swung around and got a nice close cannon and another shot which got a fantastic cheer and clap from the Austrians which again I have never seen before the Pique shot. Wow this was the best shot I have ever witnessed in a game. The Austrians may not be the best Biliards players yet but they certainly appreciate the game and how hard these shots are. They are a bit like me sponges learning each and every time they see or play the game.

Bem French was doing his usual with the most wonderful long losers on very difficult tables. How does he do it, everyone was struggling with the long loser due to the tables. Not Bem he still knocked em in although I think he was restricted on his break building a little.

I watch Michael White play he is also a great player, he plays the all round game which I like.

I managed to watch some of Chris Taylor play especially against Martin in the Final, he is clearly a fantastic player just out classed by Martin in the final. I wish I could play like these guys it just takes years and years and to have a natural talent.

There is lots more to say but I will save it for the next event. But once again thanks to all the Austrian they are a delightful bunch. Keep up with the game don't give up and keep up the practice.

I mentioned Phil Mumford had a large snooker case, I managed to find out what he had in it. He managed to smuggle a small practice table, the kitchen sink and his Dad complete with Iron and Ironing Table to do his shirts.

Austrian Open 26th/27th September 2009

Drove the 200 miles downs to Luton Airport with my wife (Paula) for my first EBOS event. I was not really sure what to expect. I had been told a few details by Paul Dunning and had printed out my fixtures for the event.

I had Drawn Ron Agnew, Phil Mumford and three Austrians none of which I knew anything about.
Emanuele Stegmeier, Christian Pleshko and Stefan Knoll.

I saw a few of them were in last years draw. After a chat with Martin my plan was to beat the three Austrians and try and pull one over on Ron he was my first game so I hoped he would be tired jet lagged or similar. Paul Dunning thought I would do OK.

At Luton I quickly met a few of the players Phil Mumford Carrying his house like cue case, he was obviously taking his whole house with him. Met Roy Bacon at check in, I was a bit worried about my cue, the case is a reinforce Barracuda so it should be OK. But so many pro get their cues smashed in transit, look at Hendry for example.

The flight was on time and there were about 10 players and partners on the plane. It took off a little late but never mind. We arrived at Austria and our cues were missing but they eventually were found By Phil Mumford at another desk for some reason. Still it was in one piece.

We were met by Peter Man and a couple of drivers who kindly took us to the hotel. The IBIS is a rather poor hotel the rooms are not great and it's not cheap either. However it is located very close to the venue and the town center. We only had a few minutes to get changed before we went to the club for the presentation and opening ceremony.

I cant remember the blokes name but everyone will know the 7foot tall Army chap. What a hand shake nearly broke my wrist. I think the Austrians were hoping he would cripple us all before the matches started. The one thing that was apparent was that they were all such nice people they were all smiling and really pleased to see us. A couple of players knew me from my picture on Martins website. They were all chatting to me and most had read my blog which really pleased me. They thought I was very brave entering after such a short time playing.

After the presentation I met Guy Heys from Jersey. He invited me for a game I had forgotten my snooker glasses but managed with my normal ones. We played for an hour he was a nice chap and a good player I managed to stay with him he ran out 291 to my 200 in the hour we both played quite well.

The Austrians had roasted a pig and provided us with a strange but very tasty meal. The pork was super.

The next day we had breakfast 10 euros each! and off to the club for a 10am start. As usual Clive really does run things well, everything on time and in place super. The tables were very poor, the cloth was average but the cushions were very poor and someone had mixed up the ball and polished them. That said it was the same for all players, a couple of the tables were good 2,3 and 8 were OK 6 was a nightmare.

First match against Ron Agnew I hoped to beat him but he was just really steady I scored 10 he would get 14 all through the match for an old guy he can pot a bit as well. I lost

Next game against Phil Mumford. The less said the better he played very well no mercy for me. I did not play well but didn't really get a chance. When I did get in I scored badly my high break was about 25. His nearly 100. Lost by a lot.

My next game was against Emanuele Stegmeier a nice young lad, I managed to beat him but did not play well.

Next was a great bear of a man Christian Pleshko. What a nice guy he had me in stitch's all through the game, I won an easy game but we had great fun. All these Austrians speak very good English, they really put us to shame. Apparently Pleshko is a polish name meaning Bald man. That describes us both to a shiny Billiard Ball.

My final game was against Stephan Knoll, I set of really well and with 15 minutes to go was 85 ahead, Suddenly he knocked in 47 missing a simple red and a 40 putting him 2 ahead, he ran out a winner by a few points. I was bitterly disappointed but what a fantastic game we both really played well and enjoyed good billiards. Also what a nice lad really nice and kind to me saying he was lucky. Who ever said these Austrians can't play was wrong. Stephan played really well.

A really long tiring day I refed a couple of matches Guy and Karin 7 hours in total. Back to the hotel for a shower my wife had been out shopping all day. Then out for a Thai Meal. CW took us on the train an short walk. A few beers and a nice meal. Sat with Stephan Pleshko and CW. Had a really good time. Off to bed.

I explained to Paula that I was in the plate but playing Felix Knoll. He is one of the stronger players and would knock me out so we could go shopping. Wrong I beat him quite well I played very steady and had a 40 break mainly on the red. He was not happy. His brother came over and congratulated me which I thought was nice.

I then played Stephan Knoll and took my revenge fro my defeat the previous day. I played well again despite not having my snooker glasses.

My next match was against Patrick Stegmeier all the Austrians kept coming up to me and wishing me well and to beat him. I duly obliged running an unfinished 25 off the red again to win by 7. I received a massive cheer and lots of pats on the back. They were happy I had won some sort of dispute internally I think, politics. I was quite overcome at winning it really hit home I was in the final.