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.