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.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Monday, 28 December 2009
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/
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/
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, 20 December 2009
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.
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.
Friday, 18 December 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, 10 December 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
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.
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.
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.
Monday, 7 December 2009
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
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
Friday, 4 December 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
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.
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.
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