Went to Woking with Wayne Holbrook who has just started the game. Bloody long way to go for a game but I wanted him to see the players in action and the way the matches were organised.
I got Tina Owen-Sevilton who potted like a dream she won 251-115. I was a little disappointed as I played really poorly. I think the drive down and the drive from Scotland the previous day took it's toll on me.
Wayne got Craig Murphy in his draw. I didnt tell him how good he was but Craig never missed a ball. He had a 104 and a 51 finishing 362-157. Wayne did quite well getting a 38 break towards the end. with 30 minutes to go he had hardly scored a point, it just goes to show how things change in a game. Wayne outpointed Craig in the last 20 minutes.
We watched quite a few game until the plate and I had drawn Wayne. He set off like a train and beat me quite well, 122-68.
Wayne really enjoyed the day although I was too tired especially with a the drive back. We saw some great games and witnessed a few hundred breaks. Quite worthwhile for the experience.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Stalybridge 'B' V Mossley 'B'
Off across the Pennines to Mossley another little tiny club in the middle of no where. They were quite a good team and have the best billiards player in the league a chap call Darren Beswick who is on -80. The unfortunate thing is that as a new player in the league I have to start on scratch '0' even though our Captain put to the commitee that I should be on the same as Darren.
Once I have played half the season they can then adjust my handicap, seems stupid but never mind. I drew Darren which I was pleased about as I have been playing nice and steady.
I broke off and left the classic red in baulk an white on cushion. He played a cannon but hit the middle jaw and kissed across the table hit the other middle jaw and up to get an cannon. First shot a fluke sort of sums up my luck. He then ran in 29 from it and missed a simple pot.
I ran in 15 and played safe. The game went a little scrappy but every time he scored I scored the same or similar amounts. I ran in 24 unfinished to win. 100-12.
This meant he scored 92 I scored 100 so I won by 8 and I didn't feel that I played well at all I know I can play miles better than that. Nice win and pleased to show everyone there is a new kid in town.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Huddersfield League - Upper Hopton V New Mill 'B'
Bloody awful stormy night again over the Pennines again, this is the furthest club and very remote tucked up on the side of a hill in the middle of absolutely no where.
Nice table with under table heaters as the club gets very cold in the winter.
We won 2-1, my game was quite a strange affair I went on last playing Dennis Rourke who is a very good player he was on -60 I am still on +85 giving me 145 start. I played very steady just scoring in 7 and 8's, he had a bit of a nightmare game missing some easy balls and some easy pots. I potted very well but the table was really difficult it had a really wide throw so I missed many in-offs during the game so I stuck to my plan of potting his ball and scoring off the red when I could. If I had an easy opening I would take the billiards shot if possible.
The final score was 200-77 to me, he scored 137 I scored 115 so I was reasonably happy with the result he admitted afterwards this was his worse game so far. I did nothing really my highest break was 13 unfinished to run out.
Another win to me that's 5 in a row where I have just scrapped home. The team must be top of the league again after that win.
Nice table with under table heaters as the club gets very cold in the winter.
We won 2-1, my game was quite a strange affair I went on last playing Dennis Rourke who is a very good player he was on -60 I am still on +85 giving me 145 start. I played very steady just scoring in 7 and 8's, he had a bit of a nightmare game missing some easy balls and some easy pots. I potted very well but the table was really difficult it had a really wide throw so I missed many in-offs during the game so I stuck to my plan of potting his ball and scoring off the red when I could. If I had an easy opening I would take the billiards shot if possible.
The final score was 200-77 to me, he scored 137 I scored 115 so I was reasonably happy with the result he admitted afterwards this was his worse game so far. I did nothing really my highest break was 13 unfinished to run out.
Another win to me that's 5 in a row where I have just scrapped home. The team must be top of the league again after that win.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Stalybridge League - Beaky Conservative Club
Went to Beaconsfield Conservation Club on Thursday and played an old chap giving him 25 start.
He could actually play a little bit and managed to score 20. The table was bloody awful I don't think the cloth had ever been changed, it was actually shiny the cloth almost like an old pair of trousers when they have been Ironed to much.
The balls were terrible very very old I can honestly say they were the worst I have ever played with. They were so light covered in tiny cracks like a crazed plate.
I still won and played very well for some reason. It was all over in 6 visits to the table. I ran in
18 and followed it by a 25 I potted the red off its spot and left my white covering the red spot so that it would go on the pink spot leaving me a simple cannon onto the white which was below the middle pocket. The ref put it on the blue spot. I pointed out his error but they insisted after a rather a hated argument that was correct. From now one I will carry a full copy of the rules with me as they have no idea. Instead of a simple cannon I had a really hard screw across shot which I missed.
Next visit 20, 18 and ran in unfinished on 16 to win. Started at 8:10pm finished 8:23pm. God they are rubbish in this league I have still not seen anyone who can really give me a game.
He could actually play a little bit and managed to score 20. The table was bloody awful I don't think the cloth had ever been changed, it was actually shiny the cloth almost like an old pair of trousers when they have been Ironed to much.
The balls were terrible very very old I can honestly say they were the worst I have ever played with. They were so light covered in tiny cracks like a crazed plate.
I still won and played very well for some reason. It was all over in 6 visits to the table. I ran in
18 and followed it by a 25 I potted the red off its spot and left my white covering the red spot so that it would go on the pink spot leaving me a simple cannon onto the white which was below the middle pocket. The ref put it on the blue spot. I pointed out his error but they insisted after a rather a hated argument that was correct. From now one I will carry a full copy of the rules with me as they have no idea. Instead of a simple cannon I had a really hard screw across shot which I missed.
Next visit 20, 18 and ran in unfinished on 16 to win. Started at 8:10pm finished 8:23pm. God they are rubbish in this league I have still not seen anyone who can really give me a game.
Added a couple of pictures again courtesy of Peter Manns web site hope they don't mind.
Just about to play a shot against Phil Mumford
Collecting my runners up Certificate and Prize money and having my hand broken.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Practice - Wayne Holbrook
Over to Silk Town for a practice game with Wayne. Since our last practice / coaching session he really has improved. Anything that is half ball now gets dispatched straight away without hesitation which I a great sign.
He is also beginning to adjust the half ball by making it thinner and thicker as the shot demands. I think next time I will have to show him the way side affects a half ball cannon. I am only just getting used to it myself but he is going to have to try these shots anyway if he wants to compete.
We played a game and talked through each shot why he had selected a shot and what the resulting position was going to be. Again just like me he knows what he wants to do but can't quite manage it. We had a particular shot in the middle bag which he elected to play as a half ball loser in the middle. He left the object ball in baulk. I played the same shot but thinner and 1/4 ball slightly forcing it in and the ball stayed in the middle of the table but a little near the baulk line. I then played the same shot but as a half ball loser in the bottom bag and left perfect top of the table position (a little lucky but never mind).
Three ways to play one shot he was quite shocked as he had never considered other shots. I said there were probably even more that, another decent player may pick out even more options but I had not got all the answers.
He played a long loser in the top bag from the 'D' and wanted the ball in mid table he failed. I played the same shot but with drag and the balls only moved 3 feet. He could not get that shot at all. He practiced the same shot 20 times before the slow drag shot kicked in. He will always be able to play that shot now just nobody had showed him.
He is also getting lots more side on the cue ball now. The spotted ball helped show he had made significant progress with his cueing he was really getting the ball to spin.
A situation came up where the balls were in place for a couple of quick nursery cannons. I AM NO GOOD at these despite hours of practice. However I keep underestimating my skill level when compare with Wayne. At least I had put 4 or 5 hours in trying the shot over the past few months. I managed about 10 small cannons along the rail before losing position and potting the red. But he realised the potential of the shot as a quick few extra points with little risk.
We stopped and I showed him the way I had practiced the shot with Roger Morgan and in addition I played the Rocker Canon showing him how the yellow just rocks a tiny bit. I played 25 in a row (50 break) before stopping. I had not played this shot for weeks but they just worked first time. Sometimes I play this shot and manage about 3 so I was very lucky.
He was totally amazed by my efforts, I explained that I was hopeless and he should just try out the shots when he has time and not get bogged down with such difficult shots. I did point out that they really help you develop a nice touch when the ball are close together so they were worth a bit of an effort.
I enjoyed the night as I realise that although I am only just understanding the basics of billiard in the past 6 months I have really made massive strides in the game. I just never really knew it until last night. I can't believe that I am trying to coach and encourage someone else when I have only just been doing this for a few months I don't want to put him off but to encourage him to carry on and master as much as he can. He is already a totally different billiards player a few more months of intensive work and he will overtake me as his potting skills are much better.
I have gone back over the blog today and realise just how much effort and practice I have put in in the last 6 months, I think it has really been worthwhile any snooker players out there who are fed up with the sport take up billiards it gives you so much more in return and will improve your snooker skills as well.
Wayne is going to enter the Bradford English Open as a Wild card and is going to do the exam with Paul Dunning as soon as he can, that will really boost his confidence if he can past that as well.
He is also beginning to adjust the half ball by making it thinner and thicker as the shot demands. I think next time I will have to show him the way side affects a half ball cannon. I am only just getting used to it myself but he is going to have to try these shots anyway if he wants to compete.
We played a game and talked through each shot why he had selected a shot and what the resulting position was going to be. Again just like me he knows what he wants to do but can't quite manage it. We had a particular shot in the middle bag which he elected to play as a half ball loser in the middle. He left the object ball in baulk. I played the same shot but thinner and 1/4 ball slightly forcing it in and the ball stayed in the middle of the table but a little near the baulk line. I then played the same shot but as a half ball loser in the bottom bag and left perfect top of the table position (a little lucky but never mind).
Three ways to play one shot he was quite shocked as he had never considered other shots. I said there were probably even more that, another decent player may pick out even more options but I had not got all the answers.
He played a long loser in the top bag from the 'D' and wanted the ball in mid table he failed. I played the same shot but with drag and the balls only moved 3 feet. He could not get that shot at all. He practiced the same shot 20 times before the slow drag shot kicked in. He will always be able to play that shot now just nobody had showed him.
He is also getting lots more side on the cue ball now. The spotted ball helped show he had made significant progress with his cueing he was really getting the ball to spin.
A situation came up where the balls were in place for a couple of quick nursery cannons. I AM NO GOOD at these despite hours of practice. However I keep underestimating my skill level when compare with Wayne. At least I had put 4 or 5 hours in trying the shot over the past few months. I managed about 10 small cannons along the rail before losing position and potting the red. But he realised the potential of the shot as a quick few extra points with little risk.
We stopped and I showed him the way I had practiced the shot with Roger Morgan and in addition I played the Rocker Canon showing him how the yellow just rocks a tiny bit. I played 25 in a row (50 break) before stopping. I had not played this shot for weeks but they just worked first time. Sometimes I play this shot and manage about 3 so I was very lucky.
He was totally amazed by my efforts, I explained that I was hopeless and he should just try out the shots when he has time and not get bogged down with such difficult shots. I did point out that they really help you develop a nice touch when the ball are close together so they were worth a bit of an effort.
I enjoyed the night as I realise that although I am only just understanding the basics of billiard in the past 6 months I have really made massive strides in the game. I just never really knew it until last night. I can't believe that I am trying to coach and encourage someone else when I have only just been doing this for a few months I don't want to put him off but to encourage him to carry on and master as much as he can. He is already a totally different billiards player a few more months of intensive work and he will overtake me as his potting skills are much better.
I have gone back over the blog today and realise just how much effort and practice I have put in in the last 6 months, I think it has really been worthwhile any snooker players out there who are fed up with the sport take up billiards it gives you so much more in return and will improve your snooker skills as well.
Wayne is going to enter the Bradford English Open as a Wild card and is going to do the exam with Paul Dunning as soon as he can, that will really boost his confidence if he can past that as well.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Huddersfield League - NewMill 'A' V NewMill 'B'
Over the Pennines again for an match against our other team the 'A' Team. They were level on points with us so whoever won this would be top of the rankings.
No much top say really we won 2-1. Mainly due to the handicaps. I played a reasonable game the chap I was playing Richard was on the same handicap as me I managed to get and hold a 20 point lead all the way to the end of the game. Winning 200-179 with a final couple of nice long distance cannons giving me the win.
I found out that was the first match he had lost all season. I have won 4 lost 0. This is down to luck and handicap and a little bit of good play. There were a few moans about my start but all new players start on 115 I am on 80 and it is reviewed after 6 games. I have only won by about 30points in each game so I think its about right.
There were a few 40 and 30 breaks but not by me I managed a 23.
The link to the league web site is www.huddersfieldsnooker.com
No much top say really we won 2-1. Mainly due to the handicaps. I played a reasonable game the chap I was playing Richard was on the same handicap as me I managed to get and hold a 20 point lead all the way to the end of the game. Winning 200-179 with a final couple of nice long distance cannons giving me the win.
I found out that was the first match he had lost all season. I have won 4 lost 0. This is down to luck and handicap and a little bit of good play. There were a few moans about my start but all new players start on 115 I am on 80 and it is reviewed after 6 games. I have only won by about 30points in each game so I think its about right.
There were a few 40 and 30 breaks but not by me I managed a 23.
The link to the league web site is www.huddersfieldsnooker.com
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
English Open - Extra Bit
Just managed to have look at the Ebos Web site and there are some really good results.
Firstly Patrick Stegmeier defeated Eddie Fielding. That's a very good result Eddie is a very good player with lots of experience. Well done Patrick.
Martins Breaks were simply brilliant he had 100 in nearly every game.
Liam winning the plate was great, he knocked in three breaks over 50 in his matches and managed to beat Eddie and Gary Norman in the final.
I felt a little sorry for Gary as he missed a pot red on 97 in the plate against Phil Davies.
Also Tina beating Ron Agnew was a great result he is so steady.
So really good results I just need to start getting a few wins going.
Firstly Patrick Stegmeier defeated Eddie Fielding. That's a very good result Eddie is a very good player with lots of experience. Well done Patrick.
Martins Breaks were simply brilliant he had 100 in nearly every game.
Liam winning the plate was great, he knocked in three breaks over 50 in his matches and managed to beat Eddie and Gary Norman in the final.
I felt a little sorry for Gary as he missed a pot red on 97 in the plate against Phil Davies.
Also Tina beating Ron Agnew was a great result he is so steady.
So really good results I just need to start getting a few wins going.
Monday, 26 October 2009
EBOS English Open - Boston
Off to Boston with my Friend Steve Cannon to play, set off arrived after 2 hours at the Hotel.
Quite nice the guest house found John Hartley and Liam having Breakfast along with Eddie Fielding and his wife.
Managed to get our room straight away and off to the club in a taxi. There was a method to this as it meant I could have a drink. Arrived at Chris Taylors club which was really nice they had made a really great effort to get things ready on time. The tables looked nice and as usual Clive had got everything under control. All the usual crowd were there along with a couple of Austrians Patrick and CW.
I had a ridiculous draw and played Roy Bacon first as expected I lost Roy played really well knocking in a couple of 50+breaks. He shocked me a little as he scored mainly by potting but i expected him to play lots of canons. As usual he was a true gentleman and it was a pleasure to watch him play. I wish I could play half the shots he does his touch on small canons is truly artistic.
Chris Taylor next and the less said about that one the better. I hardly had a shot Chris just stayed at the table for most of the hour, he didn't get many big breaks but just got 30-40 every time.
Geoff Brassington well as expected great player got lots of breaks but did leave me a few chances when he missed at the top of the table.
Jamie Barker played really well he missed out on a 50 twice getting 47 and 43. I really have a lot to learn.
I did however manage to see Clive Everton and get him to sign a Snooker Book he wrote several years ago. That was kind of him and I could not believe how tall he was you only see him sat down on TV.
I enjoyed the tournament the standard was really high I saw loads of big breaks a few complained about some of the tables but i thought they were OK but what do I know. My highest Break was a paltry 27, I did get quite a few 20's but nothing to shout home about. I was rather disappointed but I did not get much table time. I did manage to score 125 in most of my games which was my target except for the game with Chris.
I had the plate to look forward to I may have played better if I hadn't had so much to drink Steve kept buying me pints all day still no wife or car to worry about helped them go down.
Chris had booked a Chinese meal in the town so we rushed to the hotel to get showered and straight back to the club. £ 22 all in for food and drink. Great value I thought managed another 6 pints in the evening along with a great meal. He had also arrange for a very nice Latvian Singer to entertain us. (don't remember much else after this)
I drew Patrick the Austrian in the plate again whats the chances of that. He managed to get about 50 in front before I started to play a little. Then just like in Austria I had a series of flukes which were simply staggering. I scored 16 points in a row each shot being a fluke. I managed to win by a handful of points. I felt really sorry for him as I had ALL the luck. Fluke after Fluke, I must have had 20 - 30 in total.
Played Roy Bacon in the next round, he beat me but I did play reasonable getting 3 x 20 breaks.
I enjoyed the weekend. Steve enjoyed watching but was upset United Lost.
Quite nice the guest house found John Hartley and Liam having Breakfast along with Eddie Fielding and his wife.
Managed to get our room straight away and off to the club in a taxi. There was a method to this as it meant I could have a drink. Arrived at Chris Taylors club which was really nice they had made a really great effort to get things ready on time. The tables looked nice and as usual Clive had got everything under control. All the usual crowd were there along with a couple of Austrians Patrick and CW.
I had a ridiculous draw and played Roy Bacon first as expected I lost Roy played really well knocking in a couple of 50+breaks. He shocked me a little as he scored mainly by potting but i expected him to play lots of canons. As usual he was a true gentleman and it was a pleasure to watch him play. I wish I could play half the shots he does his touch on small canons is truly artistic.
Chris Taylor next and the less said about that one the better. I hardly had a shot Chris just stayed at the table for most of the hour, he didn't get many big breaks but just got 30-40 every time.
Geoff Brassington well as expected great player got lots of breaks but did leave me a few chances when he missed at the top of the table.
Jamie Barker played really well he missed out on a 50 twice getting 47 and 43. I really have a lot to learn.
I did however manage to see Clive Everton and get him to sign a Snooker Book he wrote several years ago. That was kind of him and I could not believe how tall he was you only see him sat down on TV.
I enjoyed the tournament the standard was really high I saw loads of big breaks a few complained about some of the tables but i thought they were OK but what do I know. My highest Break was a paltry 27, I did get quite a few 20's but nothing to shout home about. I was rather disappointed but I did not get much table time. I did manage to score 125 in most of my games which was my target except for the game with Chris.
I had the plate to look forward to I may have played better if I hadn't had so much to drink Steve kept buying me pints all day still no wife or car to worry about helped them go down.
Chris had booked a Chinese meal in the town so we rushed to the hotel to get showered and straight back to the club. £ 22 all in for food and drink. Great value I thought managed another 6 pints in the evening along with a great meal. He had also arrange for a very nice Latvian Singer to entertain us. (don't remember much else after this)
I drew Patrick the Austrian in the plate again whats the chances of that. He managed to get about 50 in front before I started to play a little. Then just like in Austria I had a series of flukes which were simply staggering. I scored 16 points in a row each shot being a fluke. I managed to win by a handful of points. I felt really sorry for him as I had ALL the luck. Fluke after Fluke, I must have had 20 - 30 in total.
Played Roy Bacon in the next round, he beat me but I did play reasonable getting 3 x 20 breaks.
I enjoyed the weekend. Steve enjoyed watching but was upset United Lost.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Macclesfield League - Norman Routledge
Played Norman in the League last night I was getting 175 start. Yes thats right 175 Start going to 200 up so I needed to score 175 whilst he needed to scored 375.
Needless to say I lost final score 200-184 to Norman. Wow!!!
He played as well as anyone I have ever seen play like a cross between Bem French and Steve Crosland. He never missed any loser in the middle of the table and his canons were superb.
I can honestly say for an 78 year old bloke I have never seen such an outstanding display of sustained points scoring. He got 57, 47, 42, 39, 38 and many more. In addition he did not leave me anything at all and when i did get in I failed.
Still what a great night lovely to watch a real traditional billiards player.
Needless to say I lost final score 200-184 to Norman. Wow!!!
He played as well as anyone I have ever seen play like a cross between Bem French and Steve Crosland. He never missed any loser in the middle of the table and his canons were superb.
I can honestly say for an 78 year old bloke I have never seen such an outstanding display of sustained points scoring. He got 57, 47, 42, 39, 38 and many more. In addition he did not leave me anything at all and when i did get in I failed.
Still what a great night lovely to watch a real traditional billiards player.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Practice
An interesting Billiards day today, went to the Silkroad Club in Macclesfield and met Wayne Holbrook and had a couple of hours practice, nice and sedate with no pressure made a nice change.
I played quite well getting 7 x 20 breaks in 300 up, Wayne is improving he still needs to work on his half ball but his potting is outstanding. He also informed me he met John Hartley at a snooker comp for the juniors. He managed a couple of 20's and right at the end potted my ball from a cannon and ran in 47 from the red. I pointed out he could only do 15 hazards off the red (45) which he found funny but it was a great effort.
The final score was 300-230 to me which I was pleased with I played consistently and potted well.
This evening I went to Stalybridge to play Phil Vidler at Billiards for a couple of hours. We had been playing 100 up and I beat him 100-14. He said 'I have been playing this game for 10 years and never had a 25 break how do you do it. Is it possible to show me how to play the game properly'
I then spent an hour showing him the half ball shot and how to play some basic in offs and cannons from set positions. He was simply amazed how you can get losers time after time from these set positions. We then played 100 up again and I beat him 100-45 and he had 2 x 15 breaks.
Nice bit of practice today got lots of 20-25breaks don't know why I am not getting bigger breaks but at least I am being consistent and steady. All the better for the weekend.
I played quite well getting 7 x 20 breaks in 300 up, Wayne is improving he still needs to work on his half ball but his potting is outstanding. He also informed me he met John Hartley at a snooker comp for the juniors. He managed a couple of 20's and right at the end potted my ball from a cannon and ran in 47 from the red. I pointed out he could only do 15 hazards off the red (45) which he found funny but it was a great effort.
The final score was 300-230 to me which I was pleased with I played consistently and potted well.
This evening I went to Stalybridge to play Phil Vidler at Billiards for a couple of hours. We had been playing 100 up and I beat him 100-14. He said 'I have been playing this game for 10 years and never had a 25 break how do you do it. Is it possible to show me how to play the game properly'
I then spent an hour showing him the half ball shot and how to play some basic in offs and cannons from set positions. He was simply amazed how you can get losers time after time from these set positions. We then played 100 up again and I beat him 100-45 and he had 2 x 15 breaks.
Nice bit of practice today got lots of 20-25breaks don't know why I am not getting bigger breaks but at least I am being consistent and steady. All the better for the weekend.
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