This is the last entry and concludes MY BILLIARDS YEAR.
The year seems to have gone very quickly and I don't know where to start. Well I firstly want to thank all those people who have assisted me I can't name them all you know who you are but here are a few in no particular order.
Martin Goodwill, thanks mate your website and book set me on the right path, it's been great to have someone and somewhere to turn to as in this area there simply is no billiards of any standard. I helped a tiny little bit with Martins book so in a very small way I feel part of history.
Paul Dunning always there to give me a shove in the right direction your advice has been great. I will get the advanced exam done soon.
EBOS and the EABA. These organisations keep the sport alive, and have many great players and helpers who give up their time to ensure people like me get to play the great game.
John Ingleby who has given me great advice on cue action and the mental side of the game and was instrumental in me breaking through into the 50+ breaks.
Clive Scott and his team of refs, they turn out every time Clive even turns up for the Police Comp. Clive your a star I don't know how you manage it all, but without you I don't think any of these matches would start on time.
All the players who have helped me and made me feel welcome. Every single player has offered advice and support. Although you all took every chance to give me a good beating.
Roy Bacon for giving me several good thrashings but some wonderful coaching as well.
I would also like to thank my wife Paula for putting up with my expensive hobby. I know you don't understand Billiards but I have enjoyed it, it's all over now and I suppose I will have to start doing the lawn again.
The 250,000 people who have read this silly blog from all over the world seeing the hits on my world map kept me doing the updates.
Billiards is a wonderful sport much harder than snooker but is so rewarding, all you snooker players out there take up or play Billiards you will not regret it it's the greatest cue game of them all.
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Scratched from Semi Finals
Got back from Norfolk and found out I had been scratched from both Billiards and Snooker Semi Finals in the Stalybridge League as I missed the cut off dates. Well rather petty if you ask me as we had plenty of time to play and I had arranged one of the games. That's the price you pay for playing in a National Competition.
Their loss I think they were afraid I was going to walk away with all the Silver this year. Rather left a sour taste though as these were going to be my last entry on the blog. What else can I say but what a bunch of tossers.
Their loss I think they were afraid I was going to walk away with all the Silver this year. Rather left a sour taste though as these were going to be my last entry on the blog. What else can I say but what a bunch of tossers.
Jock McGregor - Derby Sunday 9th
Went off to to Derby on Sunday with Steve Cannon to play in Jock Mcgregor handicap at the Beaconsfield Club.
All the usual crew were there Clive and Peter along with most of the players. David Rees was on crutches after a hip replacement. I played Eddie Fielding in the first round and lost but it was a really good match.
I was getting 60 start and managed to get a couple of 30 breaks putting Eddie under pressure, he had had a 37 first visit and right at the end got a 58 and held off my late challenge to win by 8 points. I was disappointed but it was a really great game one of the best I have played in this year.
I watched Steve play, he lost but managed to score over 100 points. Jon Bagley was playing what a nice guy and a really great player he had a fantastic 177 amongst other breaks, his potting is awesome but contrary to reports he plays quite a few inoffs and cannons as well.
I really enjoyed the day met Derek Townend who is a nice chap and is a lodge member. I watched Steve Crosland play, he really is lovely to watch such great all round play, his mate Jim McCann can also play they are very similar in style.
I managed to win a couple of round in the plate and managed another semi final losing to Brian Hoole I just lost my potting for the whole game very poor. I found out Steve had won his first match ever against Colin Lewis and managed a 25 break. Well done mate.
Really enjoy this comp just light fun for the day, Hope your trapped nerve gets better Billy looked like you were suffering.
All the usual crew were there Clive and Peter along with most of the players. David Rees was on crutches after a hip replacement. I played Eddie Fielding in the first round and lost but it was a really good match.
I was getting 60 start and managed to get a couple of 30 breaks putting Eddie under pressure, he had had a 37 first visit and right at the end got a 58 and held off my late challenge to win by 8 points. I was disappointed but it was a really great game one of the best I have played in this year.
I watched Steve play, he lost but managed to score over 100 points. Jon Bagley was playing what a nice guy and a really great player he had a fantastic 177 amongst other breaks, his potting is awesome but contrary to reports he plays quite a few inoffs and cannons as well.
I really enjoyed the day met Derek Townend who is a nice chap and is a lodge member. I watched Steve Crosland play, he really is lovely to watch such great all round play, his mate Jim McCann can also play they are very similar in style.
I managed to win a couple of round in the plate and managed another semi final losing to Brian Hoole I just lost my potting for the whole game very poor. I found out Steve had won his first match ever against Colin Lewis and managed a 25 break. Well done mate.
Really enjoy this comp just light fun for the day, Hope your trapped nerve gets better Billy looked like you were suffering.
Thursday 6 May 2010
6th May - Finals Day
Got up at 6am and repeated my day exactly as yesterday, Swim and Sauna followed by Breakfast. Went through my relaxation routine. All set to go I will update the blog later if I can get access to the computer.
I have drawn Jim Malcolm from Strathclyde, he was the only one to beat me yesterday (only by 6 points) so I am out for reversing the result today.
Geoff Mayer lost 2 yesterday but managed to get through on count back Derek was a little unlucky as he was pipped by a handful of points by Gareth Wakeford who had also won 3 games.
Played Jim over 90 minutes and lost by 12 points rather annoyed as I was leading until 3 minutes to play. He knocked in a 38 break from no where to pip me at the end. Rather a sad end losing in the semi final but no disgrace as he has won the title a couple of times. I had a little bit of bad running in the middle of the game which let him catch me up. But I was generally quite pleased. There is always next year I had a few of the players come up to me and congratulate me on how well I had done so my efforts were well received.
Jim went on to beat Gareth Wakeford in the final so at least I got beat by the eventual winner.
Clive Scott and Peter Cooper as usual performed a sterling job in running the comp.
That finishes my year of billiards, I will be updating my blog with one or two last bits and bobs over the next couple of days. After that I am not sure what to do many people have asked me to carry on but it has taken a huge effort to maintain the site and my billiards efforts over the year.
I have drawn Jim Malcolm from Strathclyde, he was the only one to beat me yesterday (only by 6 points) so I am out for reversing the result today.
Geoff Mayer lost 2 yesterday but managed to get through on count back Derek was a little unlucky as he was pipped by a handful of points by Gareth Wakeford who had also won 3 games.
Played Jim over 90 minutes and lost by 12 points rather annoyed as I was leading until 3 minutes to play. He knocked in a 38 break from no where to pip me at the end. Rather a sad end losing in the semi final but no disgrace as he has won the title a couple of times. I had a little bit of bad running in the middle of the game which let him catch me up. But I was generally quite pleased. There is always next year I had a few of the players come up to me and congratulate me on how well I had done so my efforts were well received.
Jim went on to beat Gareth Wakeford in the final so at least I got beat by the eventual winner.
Clive Scott and Peter Cooper as usual performed a sterling job in running the comp.
That finishes my year of billiards, I will be updating my blog with one or two last bits and bobs over the next couple of days. After that I am not sure what to do many people have asked me to carry on but it has taken a huge effort to maintain the site and my billiards efforts over the year.
Wednesday 5 May 2010
5th May Day 2 - Round Robin Qualifiers
Got up a 6am for some reason, could not get back to sleep so went for a swim and a sauna, the place was quite busy lots of swimmer I was surprised. Got changed and went for a knock on the tables, no one around at 7-30am quite glad to find a free table as they have all been booked up.
Quick half hours practice played quite well. Did a few run throughs along the rail as per John Inglby instructions. off to breakfast and then coach over to a snooker club in Beccles.
Quite well organised 6 x 1hours matches in a group of 7. The tables were poor but I started off really well I ended up playing my fellow team mate Derek Hey who thrashed me last year. Quite a close game but managed to win in the end had a couple of 20 breaks.
Next played Tony Web from Gloucester, thrashed him getting a 51 and a 34. Played Gareth Wakeford who plays in a few of the ABC's. he played very well getting a few 20's but I played well in the second half winning with a 34 break at the death. He was not happy.
Played Jim Malcolm from Strathclyde next he played well and at the end I scored 37 to be 7 points ahead with a couple of minutes to play. He managed to score a dozen and beat me by 6.
Played Bruce Duncan from Glasgow next I played pretty well as he is a tough player I got 39 and won buy quite a lot.
Last but no least I had to play Geoff Mayer who has won the title for the past 11 years, he already had a 70 break in the last match, so I knew I was up against it. I played really well for the last 20 minutes getting 28, 27 and 39 in three consecutive visits to win by 30 odd.
That put me in the finals with 5 wins from 6 as the number one seed.
Peter
(216) 27,28,39 v Geoff Mayer (179)
(226) 21,29 v Derek Hey (187)
(238) 51,34 v Tony Web (147)
(215) 34 v Gareth Wakeford (181)
(175) 37 v Jim Malcolm (182)
(281) 39 v Bruce Duncan (159)
No matter what happens in the morning, I am over the moon with my day I never missed a ball that was on and played the best I have for a long time. I really showed em that I can now play this game. Geoff came up to me after and said he had never seen anyone so improved over a year. If only he knew how much effort time and money I had put in. Well what a way to end the year and maybe I can win the semi and final in the morning.
Revenge really is sweet!
Quick half hours practice played quite well. Did a few run throughs along the rail as per John Inglby instructions. off to breakfast and then coach over to a snooker club in Beccles.
Quite well organised 6 x 1hours matches in a group of 7. The tables were poor but I started off really well I ended up playing my fellow team mate Derek Hey who thrashed me last year. Quite a close game but managed to win in the end had a couple of 20 breaks.
Next played Tony Web from Gloucester, thrashed him getting a 51 and a 34. Played Gareth Wakeford who plays in a few of the ABC's. he played very well getting a few 20's but I played well in the second half winning with a 34 break at the death. He was not happy.
Played Jim Malcolm from Strathclyde next he played well and at the end I scored 37 to be 7 points ahead with a couple of minutes to play. He managed to score a dozen and beat me by 6.
Played Bruce Duncan from Glasgow next I played pretty well as he is a tough player I got 39 and won buy quite a lot.
Last but no least I had to play Geoff Mayer who has won the title for the past 11 years, he already had a 70 break in the last match, so I knew I was up against it. I played really well for the last 20 minutes getting 28, 27 and 39 in three consecutive visits to win by 30 odd.
That put me in the finals with 5 wins from 6 as the number one seed.
Peter
(216) 27,28,39 v Geoff Mayer (179)
(226) 21,29 v Derek Hey (187)
(238) 51,34 v Tony Web (147)
(215) 34 v Gareth Wakeford (181)
(175) 37 v Jim Malcolm (182)
(281) 39 v Bruce Duncan (159)
No matter what happens in the morning, I am over the moon with my day I never missed a ball that was on and played the best I have for a long time. I really showed em that I can now play this game. Geoff came up to me after and said he had never seen anyone so improved over a year. If only he knew how much effort time and money I had put in. Well what a way to end the year and maybe I can win the semi and final in the morning.
Revenge really is sweet!
4th May Potters Norfolk Police Finals
Well the big day has arrived all the hard work this year is going to be put to the test over the next 3 days. As you will probably recall last year I entered the Billiards in the Police Championship as no one else wanted to play.
I got absolutely thrashed by all these old retired officers who seemed to be able to score at will from any position on the table. So I set my stall out to return this year after spending 12 months playing this mad game to try and get my revenge.
Stockport to Hopton on Sea 224 miles. Five hours due to traffic but the sun was out and I felt good. Potters is lovely On arrival I booked in and met smoe of the regular lads who manage to get here every year. Straight into the Swimming pool and Sauna to recover from the trip.
A nice meal and a few Gin and Tonics in the bar.
Nine oclock of to bed to tired to stay up.
I got absolutely thrashed by all these old retired officers who seemed to be able to score at will from any position on the table. So I set my stall out to return this year after spending 12 months playing this mad game to try and get my revenge.
Stockport to Hopton on Sea 224 miles. Five hours due to traffic but the sun was out and I felt good. Potters is lovely On arrival I booked in and met smoe of the regular lads who manage to get here every year. Straight into the Swimming pool and Sauna to recover from the trip.
A nice meal and a few Gin and Tonics in the bar.
Nine oclock of to bed to tired to stay up.
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