JUNIOR CHALLENGE MATCH

NE Derbyshire SC, Clay Cross(Sunday 28th January 2001)

The top ranked English juniors from last season would normally
have been invited to take part in an International fixture against
Northern Ireland, but with the visiting Irish unable to bring a junior
team with them a special challenge match between the North and South
of England was arranged to take place at Clay Cross, on Sunday 28th
January.

Matthew Sutton, the leading player from the South was unable to take
part due to holiday arrangements, but this was balanced by the absence
of the North’s leading player Robin Wilson.

Perhaps reflecting a greater strength in depth, the final score was an
overwhelming win for the North by 15 to 5. This was highlighted by an
impressive performance by Martin Shutt who ran up an aggregate of
632 points in his 90 minute game against Peter Gamblin. This included
a rapid-fire 53 and many minor contributions in the 30s and 40s. Chris
Appleton also recorded two 50+ breaks in his 431-200 victory over
Calvin Daws. The position could have been even worse for the South
as a break of 43 by Billy Bousfield opened up a lead of over eighty
points against Jimmy Chambers at one stage in their match. Bousfield
had recently recorded his personal best beak of 78 in the Middlesbrough
Friendly League and was evidently still full of confidence. However,
the experienced Chambers came back with a break of 64 and eventually
took the match 384-318. His three points for this win just about kept
the South in the hunt as they trailed 9-3 after the 90-minute games.
However, the short format matches failed to produce a recovery as
only Peter Gamblin had any success with two wins against Bousfield.

Results (Northern players first)

England´s best Junior players display their skills as part of the International week-
end at Clay Cross. L-R: Jimmy Chambers, Steve Hassack, Billy Bousfield, Chris
Appleton, Calvin Daws, Martin Shutt, Darren Noble and Peter Gamblin.