Friday 29 January 2010

Stalybridge League - Last League Game

The Stalybridge league is now drawing to a close and the last match was last night, we lost 3-2 on the night but this will secure us the runner up spot in the league which is not a bad result as we had a slow start. Steve won his Snooker singles but Mark lost giving 50 start and the lad got a 30 break.

I narrowly won giving about 65 start to a good potter. I played safe and scored 50 before he had made 10 but then it went the other way and I struggled, the table was slow. I needed 14 to win and I made a simple cannon, potted a long red down the rail and left me on the red which was spotted and I scored an easy 9 of the red to win.

I think that makes it played 17 won 15 lost 2. Not bad considering the hammering they gave my handicap. I also took the high break with 55, there is only the knockout cup left so I don't think it will be topped. The nearest other break is 39. There again I will be looking to improve on it in the cup myself.

There are also individual competitions at Snooker and Billiards. to have a got at.

Wednesday 27 January 2010

55 Break - Stalybridge League St Georges B V Mossley B

Arrived at 9:15 after my dash across the moors and found Steve Cannon had won his snooker singles. We had won the first Billiards match and I was straight on.

I played a nice old chap who could play Billiards, I had seen him before quite capable of the odd 20-30 break. I set my stall out early with a 21 as I was giving another massive start 85 points.
He scored a few and I knocked in a really sweet 55 and missed a difficult screw in off.

It was a really nice break lots of assorted shots just about every shot in the book and all went in the middle of the pocket. That's the 7th break over 50 since the new year, looks like Scotland gave me a little confidence.

He scored a few points but kept leaving me on, I played a really high standard getting a 31 and a couple more 20 breaks to finish the match off, he only scored about 30 points. My best win yet in this league nicely under control the whole game my eyes seem really clear after struggling for a couple of days.

Mark Carrington lost his snooker singles giving about 50 start but made up for it by winning the doubles with Steve Cannon and getting a 55 snooker break along the way. Missing a fairly easy Pink in the middle playing a difficult positional shot. Obviously 55 is a good number at £1 per point not a bad nights work for both of us.

Huddersfield League - New Mill V Springwood BC

This is a partial post as I drove over to Springwood Bowling club played and then had to dash off to another match.

The table was quite tight but as usual in the Huddersfield League area a really nice fast cloth. I went on first and played reasonably well the handicaps were similar I was on 70 he was on 80. I played reasonably well and won by about 40 no breaks but nice steady 15-20's on a regular basis. I felt I played a really controlled game which followed on from my practice with Wayne Holbrook this afternoon. My potting seemed to be OK and I am seeing the ball and the natural angle again. Certainly an improvement from last week and Scotland.

It's a strange game Billiards I know I can play well but sometimes the table and luck get together to put a stop to your play. I am sure that a lot of this is in my mind I must see John Inglby he's may be able to give me a few pointers in the mind games department I think 30-40 % of this game is mental.

I dashed from Huddersfield 18 miles across Saddleworth Moor very dark but still lots of snow on the ground. As I passed over the moor you can't help thinking about Myra Hindley and Brady murdering those children and leaving them in this wasteland of peat very sad.

Practice Silktown Macclesfield

Went up to meet Wayne Holbrook and give him some stuff off Clive Scott in Macclesfield and had a couple of hours practice.

We both started off really slowly I found the table difficult after Scotland but I eventually settle in and Wayne was about 80 points ahead. I then played some very steady nice billiards getting a couple of 30 breaks and a handful of 20 breaks to take the lead and eventually with by about 120 points.

We dont take it to seriously but it gives us chance to talk about shots and experiment with the balls. I finished up around 450 points in 2 hours not to bad.

Tuesday 26 January 2010

EBOS Update

All the results are now updated on the EBOS site.

http://e-bos.net/Results_0910_Scottish%20Open.htm

Some nice breaks in this comp show how good the tables were everyone seemed happy.

Monday 25 January 2010

Extra Extra Videos

Darren Part 1 - Really Superb break under pressure

Darren Part 2

Extra Videos - Poor Quality

Sorry John had to post this is gives me hope that even great players miss

Geoff Brassington

Sunday 24 January 2010

EBOS Scotland

Great week end, Nice club lots of great billiards, Mark played really well and followed on his good form from Bradford where he knocked in 2 x 200 breaks. Did I mention I got in the plate final.!

I arrived on the Friday and found the Hotel booked in and went off to the club, The Creamery Sports Bar on Main Street. Lovely club tables were recently covered and had very responsive cloths. On arrivals I had planned to have a bit of coaching with Roy Bacon but he was pretty busy and had to dash of to the station to collect Michael White and Company.

It worked out well as I managed to play Arthur Winn for a couple of hours, I found the tables really difficult even though they were really nice. Arthur won by quite a margin. I met most of the crew, Clive and Martin Goodwill.

I don't know why I play really well one game and nothing the next. Doesn't look good for my group games.

The following day everything started bang on time a few new faces playing in this one which was nice to see. I marked Guy Heys and Brian Dix, nice game Guy won and had lots of flukes but he did play well and in the last 20 minutes Brian had 45 off the Red ball and 42 in lovely all round play. I had Liam Clark first he played his usual game lots of potting, brilliant cue action he didn't play well but still managed to beat me. 260-156. I had a 29 he just got lots of 20's.

My next game was against Ron Agnew I played reasonably well 186-135 win to me, Ron seemed to struggle on the table until the end where he ran in some nice little cannons.

Chris Taylor next he battered me into the ground scoring 315-81 just too good, got lots of nice pots and top of the table. Final game against Geoff Brassington 293-111, again to good and Geoff will admit he played so smoothly better than I have ever seen him cue he had slowed down and was in stunning form, mm perfect and his had some amazing shots along with some of the greatest potting I have seen. He had a 48 and a 52.

Played 4 won 1 could be worse. Beating Ron Agnew in the main competition pleased me as he has defeated me twice. I played quite well and got my high break of 33. I know it wasn't 333 like Roxton but at least it did contain the number three and was in double figures.

In the plate I managed to grab a win over Darren Hall he seemed a little distracted and didn't play his normal game, I can tell he's been playing with Rob Hall his top of the table play was brilliant.

Next was Brian Moffat probably my best win a tough game but I got a little run of small breaks going and got about 40 in front he kept fighting back but I kept getting small breaks, at the end of the game I played some really nice safety shots which pleased me and stopped him scoring.

Semi final, and a really nice win over Brian Dix who was playing some really nice old style Billiards. I think he was a little tired it's a long day. he's a great chap though gave me some good pointers during and after the game.

In the final I managed to get about 40 in front of John Murphy but he knocked in a 54 and a 38 in two visits, The ex-pro just out of my league, final score 200-93.
I don't mind though he's a nice lad and a pleasure to watch. (thanks to Brian Harvey for marking the game)

The winners Mark Hirst (left) Roxton Chapman (right)


Left to Right, Me , John Murphy He only just won!

Left to right a surprised Martin Goodwill, Mark Hirst, Roxton


Small rather poor video of the last few minutes of Roxtons 333.
My camera takes video but the switch is smashed, new camera needed.


Friday 22 January 2010

Lost x 2

Played in the Macclesfield League Last night, the lad was a snooker player and hardly hit either a cannon or an inoff but still managed to beat me byt 10 points. I played average getting a couple of 20's. I was giving him 30 start but he managed to never miss a pot all night.

Lost in the Stalybridge League again giving 30 start again he potted me to death and had all the running. I also played absolutely crap on that really slow match table at frames.

My mates Steve Cannon and Mark Carrinton both won. Not a good start to my week end up in scotland.

Wednesday 20 January 2010

Palace Snooker

Managed to get to the Palace for a 2 hours practice. Started with 30 long losers from the 'D' of the middle spot. Got 22/30.

Got 20 run through losers out of 30, and played 30 a stun losers into the bottom bag.
I then placed the red and white near the middle bags and played open table. I have not done this for a while and managed only little breaks of 10 and 12 before breaking down.

I played a few pots off the red spot for a while and then went back to the middle and managed a nice little 82 of general all round play with about 5 x 3-6-9 shots. Happy with that its easy just knocking them about though. Strange that was my highest break for a long while but it felt nothing as I want playing anyone, I almost expect decent breaks on my own table.

Two extra hours played hope this practice pays off.

Huddersfield League v Upper Hopton

Rather a disappointing night managed to get there ok and picked my glasses up on the way, no weather problems tonight.

We lost the first match by quite a lot and I went on second under a little bit of pressure, I was giving about 20 start. For some reason I really do suffer from very little luck, I tend not to hit the ball hard and try to control the shot so I don't get that many flukes I had only one fluke and that wasn't in a break I just played safe and the red went in the top bag which left me in the D.

My opponent however had 9 flukes and score off each one by simply smashing the ball around. Clearly a snooker player in the past and not a brilliant billiards player. I scored a couple of 19-20 breaks but it was quite poor. I felt comfortable on the table after playing a Oldham on quick tables New Mills fast table was no problem.

I won 200-185 again running in 17 to finish the game rather to close to for comfort but it's another win to add to the tally only lost a couple in this league. I never felt I was going to lose the game and if you took away his luck I would have won by miles.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Glasses Found

Dropped in car Park someone kind handed them into the club. Damn Fine Chap. Thanks.

Practice - Lost Glasses

Went for a practice at lunch time today with my father but realised I did not have my glasses in my bag. I rang mark Carrington but he could not find them in his car so I presume I have left them in Oldham Snooker Acadamy. I dont think they open till 4pm so I will have to call in on my way to Huddersfield.

Needless to say the practice din't got very well with my Glasses anything long was really difficult. Had a 39 and a handful of 20 breaks. Lost 2-1 200 up giving my day 100 start. He managed to get a couple of nice 20+ breaks.

Hope I can find them or this weekend will be a disaster as I just can't manage without them these days also they cost £ 170 the wife wont be happy.

Oldham Snooker Academy

My friend was playing a Knockout 1/4 final at Oldham last night. Neither of us had been to the club before but we managed to find it in an old Mill in Oldham at the back of the bypass.

The club was really strange it was like stepping back 20 years to when snooker was at its height of popularity. The place was full. It was mainly Asian players but what a fantastic atmosphere everyone was just playing snooker, no kids or drunks about just snooker players doing what they do. Mark played his game and lost 2-0 he played average but he was thrown off my the table which was the nicest and fastest I have seen for a long time.

I refereed for them the tables were all Riley Aristocrats with shaved Strachan cloths and silver legs all brand new and stunning. We had already decided to stay and play after the game regardless of the result. We managed to get a table I had told Mark I was only playing Billiards this week due to the EBOS event, he is a good lad he understood and I have a sneaking idea he is actually beginning to like the game more than he would ever admit.

He set his stall out straight away with a couple of 30 breaks, he was playing with the spotted balls and of course being a touch player with a light grip the fast cloth suited him. He took me to the cleaners all night, I didn't mind it was lovely to see him play the game well, his touch around the black spot is great if just spent a little more time watching a few videos to understand Top of the Table fully he would be as good as anyone.

He managed two 40 breaks, 3 x 30 breaks and a few 15-20 breaks, I really struggled on the table I was scared of hitting the ball, as slight knock sent the ball 15 feet. The speed off the cushions was staggering I was a little disappointed and only managed a couple of 25 breaks. I just goes to show I really should start playing on some decent tables as you dont have to hit the ball hard just a slight tap does the trick, also getting side on was so easy the balls really took side as you didn't have to force anything at all.

I really enjoyed the evening I think next year we will play from Oldham it's only 8 miles or 15 minutes the clubs a little scruffy and there is no Bar but that doesn't bother me or Mark as we rarely drink at all. There are also some good players in the club including Michael Wild who we have both played he is about 10th in the Pontins rankings at the moment.

Anyway I know you read this blog so I will say it "Well played Mark that was the best Billiards I have ever seen you play. Keep it up."

Monday 18 January 2010

Draw for Scotland EBOS

Chris Taylor
Ron Agnew
Geoff Brassington
Peter Stanyer
Liam Clark

I am sure there is something up with Gary Normans computer program to do these draws, everytime I end up playing Chris, Ron and Geoff. It's a nightmare at least if I drew someone else it would make a nice change.

Then there is the question of that damn Liam Clark everytime I play him he throws in a little run of form and scores about 400. Not going to get much table time with these guys to make a 50 break. we shall see hopefully I will get a few chances.

Sunday 17 January 2010

Practice for EBOS Scotland

Finished work for a week now to spend as much time as possible getting some practice in. Only 5 days to go the field looks really good some really good players turning out for this one getting a little nervous as I always seem to get really tough draws.

I have always managed to avoid Martin Goodwill in the groups but it would be nice to draw him for a bit of fun. Certainly going to get thrashed but I really am going to go all out to try and get my first 50 in an EBOS event not bothered about getting gettting thrashed but I do want to play well.

Nice to see the forum working well on the EBOS site no one seems to be horrible so far. Well done guys. I will keep everyone updated with practice and matches in detail this week and I will try to get all results from Scotland up on the blogs asap, hope to beat Garys updates butyou never know sometimes he does them live.

Monday - Practice PM, snooker match at night
Tuesday - 3 hours Lunchtime Practice - Match PM Huddersfield
Wed - 2 Hours AM - Hopefuly 2 hours at Macclesfield with Wayne
Thu - 4 Hours Morning - 2 matches at night Disley Macclesfield League and Stalybridge League
Fri - early start up to falkirk and hopefully get 2-3 hours with Roy Bacon.

After all that I will be two knackered to play all weekend.

Link to Forum is http://e-bos.proboards.com/

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Huddersfield League - New Mill A V New Mill B

Managed to get over to New Mill, the Woodhead Pass was blocked due to Snow Fall. So I had to divert across the M62 still pretty slippy and wild but made it.

Derek Hey the Captain was on first and won by nearly 100 points. I went on second against Rob Walker I struggled all the way I don't know why I had already played really well at Silktown the table was very fast but nothing happened for either of us.

He scored a 27 break which included 3 flukes, I managed a 22 which included 1 fluke. Nothing else happened neither of us had a break over 10. I won by 15 points and was giving him 15 start but I was really disappointed not to get a decent break.

Steven Whiteley played last and won getting a 51 break and a 30. Final score 2-1 to us the B team. I even managed to get home without getting stuck on the motorway although I did see a couple of nasty crashes lots of black ice about

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Silk Town Macclesfield

Wayne Holbrook rang and invited me over to Macclesfield for a knock, I was quite glad for the practice as I am not sure if i will be able to get over the Pennines to New Mill for tonight's Derby match against our A team due to snow still falling and getting blown about due to high winds.

We had a nice 2 hour session I started off well with a little 18 and a 25. Then after 15 minutes a nice 57 break which was very controlled and contained all my favourite standard shots. The table was running well and I didn't have to force the shots at all. Very pleased to get another 50+ break in the space of a week. That's 4 in 8 days.

I just need to start hitting the 50 mark in my matches. If I stick to the shots I know I can play well the breaks really do happen. I used to feel a 50 break was a really difficult thing now it just seems like 20-25 easy shots. I am sure the 100 in practice is going to be made before the year is out.

I finished off with a nice 30 break winning by about 70 in the end. Wayne struggled a little his potting was off today but he has not really played since before Christmas. He only managed a 25 break which was unusual for him.

I really am enjoying my game at the moment for some reason a lot of shots I found difficult for months seem easy now. It looks like all the hard work is really paying off. I played a couple of run through losers in the 57 break along the cushion I would never have dreamed of taking them on even 2 months ago. Now I am deem them to be a fairly safe shot which i expect to get on a regular basis.

Friday 8 January 2010

Lunch Practice

Over to my local club after getting the RAC out to start my car which had a flat battery after being stood for 2 weeks. Had a little billiard practice after last nights 66 break. Started off just the same two 30 breaks and a 52 in a hour.

Really pleased with that strange game billiards you can get on the table and do nothing at all and the next minute knock in a nice break. There were a three of Indian lads in from the nearby restaurant playing snooker so I asked if the spare lad wanted a game. He wasn't very good and I thrashed him 2 nil. They swapped over and I played their so called best player. He was much better than the other lad had a good cue action and had played on a team from Oldham.

He had a really nice 42 break to win the first frame, I cleared the colours to win the second frame and then went mad in the last frame and had a 52 break from nowhere.

Looks like the new tip is working well and the layoff over Christmas seems to have been good for me hope the year keeps going on as it started.

Thursday 7 January 2010

Palace Practice

With all matches cancelled including the ABC on Sunday and our match at Stalybridge v Mossley due to more snow I decided to go for a knock with Mark Carrington at our local club as we felt most of the road nearby were clear enough to get home after a knock.

Mark was clearly playing much better tonight although I did make the first frame go to the last two colours. He beat me 5-2 getting a 57 and a 62. He really had his touch back on a slow table.

We played Billiards for the last hour or so and again he played really well without resorting to potting. He long inoffs were really good tonight another few months practice and he will be to good for me. He got about 60 in front and managed to get top of the table on a couple of occasions. I went through one of those phases where I could only score a few points at a time. My highest break was 17 Mark had a 29, I was quite disappointed as I felt really good.

The just at the end I knocked in a really nice 66 missing a sitter over the bottom pocket, Really cheered me up as I felt I have been playing well enough to get decent breaks lately. Had a couple of 60 and 70's in practice before Christmas.

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Snow Snow Snow

I know these pictures are nothing to do with Billiards but I have nothing else to put on at the moment. Desperate for a game things are getting bad down here. No billiards running out of food next and my wifes off work so she has extra time to nag me.

Woke up and looks like NO billiards again even more snow now.
A few pictures for those interested in Australia the white stuff is Snow.

For those in Canada I know it's hardly anything just a light dusting.
Igloo & Emily
Me in Igloo
Bloody Cold igloo

Lane at the Back of the House
Main A57 Road to Sheffield from Gee Cross
Note lack of any traffic at all during rush hour 8 am


Paula and Emily at Back of House I need to replace the fence.

Snow Again

Damn weather is playing havoc with my billiards this year. Went to Frames with Mark Carrington last night the room was really cold and the balls were giving rather strange kicks, I played quite well beating him 5-2 which is the first time i have beaton him for about 5-6 years.

We tried some billiard but we just couln't get going and due to weather I left early to try and get home. had to abandon my car on the main road as the side streets were dangerous about an inch of snow on freezing ground.

Had to walk back up the hill. The new house is proving very difficult in bad weather due to the hill climb. I ran Derek at the Huddersfield League and cancelled Tuesdays game no way I could make it over the Woodhead Pass.