TRI-NATION BILLIARDS CHALLENGE

20th-21st November 1999

Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Irish Republic

It was a “new look” English team which travelled to Celbridge in
defence of their Tri-Nation crown. Due mainly to a late change in
the dates for the event, only four of the top ten players in the ranking
list could make the journey. This resulted in unexpected call-ups for
Paul Dunning, Bill Andress, Richard Lodge and Jim McCann. With
so many “new” players it was a superb performance by England to
retain their title in what proved to be an exciting conclusion which saw
all teams having a chance of victory going into the final session.

Details:

England made a bad start to their defence, winning only two games.
Paul Dunning was given little chance as Victor O’Gorman played some
solid billiards which included a fine break of 111. Also playing in his
first match for England, Bill Andress suffered a narrow defeat as he
lost out to Phil Martin by just eight points.

Martin McCrudden is tipped to be the Republic’s snooker star of the
future, and in his match against David Nichols he scored heavily from
the red ball to edge another close-fought game, helping the home side
to a lead of 12-6 after the first session.

The scoreline could have been a lot worse except for the efforts of
Phillip Welham and Jim McCann who held off determined challenges
from Dick Brennan and Larry Drennan respectively.

The Northern Ireland side also had a few changes from last year, with
new caps for Tommy Murphy (a former snooker professional from
Newtownards), Frank Trainor from Belfast and Eugene Rogan of
Bangor. Their top two players, Davy Elliott and Paddy Donnelly were
the mainstay of the match against the Republic, both taking the full
two points from their games while all the others finished level. Dick
Brennan impressed for the Republic, making a break of 122 unfinished
in his second game against Murphy.

Paddy Donnelly again looked in good form against England newcomer
Jim McCann, putting together the highest break of the competition with a
run of 132. Undaunted, McCann responded with some fine tactical play
to record an excellent victory. Another century maker to finish on the
losing side was David Nichol. His run of 105 being more than adequately
countered by breaks of 98, 75 and 50 from John McIntyre.
In the battle of the debutantes, Richard Lodge scored heavily to
overcome Frank Trainor and take the points for England. With good
performances evident throughout the England squad, this useful 12-6
result helped them into an overall lead of just two points at the end of
the first day.

The contest resumed at 11.00am on Sunday morning with England’s
second match against Northern Ireland. Paul Dunning looked set to
register his first win in his second game against Eugene Rogan.
However, a timely fluke by Rogan gave him an opening, and he held
his nerve to accumulate the 38 points he needed to win.

Stephen Crosland recovered from his slow start to the competition, to
produce breaks of 95 and 121, giving Tony Buttimer no chance.
David Nichols achieved his first success of the competition in some
style. With Donnelly looking poised to take the second game, Nichols
put together a fine run of 62 to snatch an important point from the Irish
No.2. Gary Rogers also recorded his first wins as an international player,
taking two hard-fought games from Davy Pogue.

Rogers and Crosland recorded “double” victories for England, but
Rogan and McIntyre did the same for Northern Ireland, making sure
that the scores finished level at six apiece.

Paul Dunning, who had been suffering from a dreadful run of the ball
throughout the competition, must have felt this match against
McCrudden was going the same way as the others when his opponent
put together a useful run of 38 from a fluke. His response, a break of
95, was therefore all the more impressive, and as things at last started
to go his way, he secured two vital points for England.

Richard Lodge, having lost his first game to a break of 88 by Victor
O’Gorman, was facing an equally bleak prospect in the second when
O’Gorman made a run of 108. However, Lodge responded with a fine
break of 60 to take the game and earn a share of the spoils.

Another close finish was provided by Phillip Welham. His unfinished
break of 59 was enough to take the second game from Aidan Murray
by just 5 points, retaining his unbeaten record in the process.
With Bill Andress also winning his first games of the tournament—
despite a break of 74 by Larry Drennan—the English finished their
competition with an impressive 9-3 win. This put them thirteen points
ahead of Northern Ireland with the Republic one point behind them.

The England team could only watch as with 18 points at stake, they
knew that a big win by one or other of the Irish teams would see the
end of their reign as Tri-Nation Champions.

Paddy Donnelly and David Elliott were in superb form for the
Ulstermen, but with Martin, O’Gorman and Drennan taking the points
for the Republic, it ensured that neither team would achieve the margin
of victory they needed. Even a reverse of the close finish between
Murray and Buttimer would not have affected the overall result.

England captain Derick Townend, receiving the Tri-Nation Trophy
from Geraldine Gillviary after his team’s win at Celbridge.