When I was lucky enough to get the gig of writing about 8 ball pool for your Daily Sport I really had no idea of the amount interest in the game around the Country which for me makes it all worthwhile. Blackball could well be the fastest growing sport in the United Kingdom and as the recognised rule set of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that comes as no great surprise, though the hundreds of thousands who pick up a cue each and every week in pubs and clubs already knew that I suppose?
Last week I nervously previewed the UK Open from Liverpool and (amazingly) named the winner, though he was the number one ranked player before the tournament, so it wasn’t an act of genius I am sorry to add. Three days of action from the Britannia Adelphi saw hundreds of matches and close to thousands of frames played on eighteen tables in one room – lots of noise and banter as you can imagine, as well as an amazingly high standard of pool.
From over a hundred entries the numbers had to be whittled down somehow, but thanks to a double elimination format (just don’t ask me to explain how it works!), everyone had plenty of chances, all leading to finals day on Sunday, and live streaming via the internet to the fans out in Wi-Fi land. To win in this standard you need an equal quantity of ability and luck (plus you need the pool Gods to be smiling to have any chance), but then that does equal out your chances and encourages new players to join the tour. As if to prove my point two newbies to the tour made it to the amateurs final (bet they think its all so easy now) as Curtis Lee met Alex O’Donoghue in a race to five. Curtis was certainly having a weekend to remember after turning 24 on the Saturday but his luck ran out when he needed it most as 28 year old Alex ran out a 5-1 victor to pick up the title of UK Amateur Champion 2014 – not bad for a weekend’s work.
The UK Open Final was next on the agenda and after fighting past both amateurs and professionals, both Ronan McCarthy and Gareth Hibbott fully deserved the warm round of applause they received as they walked to the table. A tough match to call with both players well known for both their tenacity and their consistency, but thanks to the blackball rules encouraging an attacking attitude, we knew for certain we were in for a treat. Ronan was the first out of the blocks and soon built up a useful looking lead but a mid session break saw Rankings leader Gareth return like a man possessed to rattle off frame after frame with some dazzling pool before taking the title 8 frames to 5 and land both trophy and cheque.
Finally, the Professionals have their own tournament, which is unsurprisingly well contested with James Croxton
facing Ben Davies in a final that looked on paper to be a battle of tactics and raw potting power. Fact is it never pans out as you expect with poor Ben clearly at odds with the aforementioned pool Gods and having zero luck, while Jimmy was at the top of his game, pouncing on every opportunity. Foul breaks and dry breaks (nothing potted) seemed to haunt Ben for most of the final as Jimmy cleared them up again and again, for a one side final score of 9 frames to three, but in this game nothing is guaranteed other than entertainment – who knows who will win the next tournament in Bradford?
Sean Trivass was a guest of Chairman Kevin Barton and the IPA.