EASTERN COUNTIES

Eastern Counties Billiards League

Newmarket broke Cambridge’s strangle-hold on the Eastern Counties
1st Division championship by winning the 2001 title. They relegated
Cambridge to runner-up position by just one point! Phillip Welham
had the highest break of the season with 117, whilst Simon Bean recorded
the best 90 minute aggregate score with 589. Jim Chambers put up the
best performances for a Junior player with a high break of 91 and a top
aggregate of 429.

Raunds and Alby will play in the premier section next year after they
became winners and runners-up respectively in the 2nd Division. David
Nichols (Alby) made five centuries during the season with a best of
176, which took the high break prize. He also recorded the best aggregate
with 809.

Alby Handicap Billiards League

David Nichols starred for Mundesley in the Alby League, helping his
team to finish at the top above Pinewood “B”. Nichols had the highest
break of the season with 154 unfinished in one of his 30 minute games.

Norfolk (Under-19) Junior Championship

A record field of twenty gathered at Woodside SC, Norwich to compete
for the Norfolk County Junior title. In the end, the county’s four best
juniors met in the semi-finals. Reigning champion Paul Clifford
(Norwich) met Calvin Daws (Sculthorpe) and after a close battle Clifford
got home 273-213. In the other semi-final, Norwich’s Gavin Lewis
persevered to a 278-187 victory against Darren Noble (Narborough).

The Final proved a tense encounter with the lead going from one player
to the other. Clifford’s break of 42 proved crucial at about half-way
through the 60 minute game, and with his greater experience and tenacity
he secured a close win and his 2nd title. Nathan Mann (New Costessey)
won the Plate event. Thanks go to Fred and Joy Ellis of the Woodside
Club who sponsored the event.

Nar Valley Classic

Chris Shutt retained his Nar Valley title in a close game with last year’s
English Champion, Phillip Welham. The 90 minute match saw the two
players neck-and-neck throughout the game, which was played in front
of a full house of appreciative West Acre Club members. The
professional secured the match in the dying minutes with a timely
break of 35 to give him a 23 point lead. This left Welham just enough
time to collect the balls in nursery cannon position, but as his break
reached 8, the timer sounded to end the closest ever “Classic” to date.