This weekend sees the annual battle for the British Universities Eight-ball Pool Championships at McClusky’s in Spondon near Derby.
Reigning Team Champions Durham have lost many of their players from last season and will find it tough going to defend their title this time around. Warwick, last season’s defeated finalists, will be the team to beat looking to add to the Nine-ball title they won before Christmas. Other teams to watch out for are the beaten Irish Universities finalists University of Ulster Coleraine and the ever-present threat of Strathclyde. It will also be interesting to see how the new sides fare, for the record they are Aberystwyth, Bolton, Edge Hill, Kent and Manchester.
In the Team Trophy (non-first teams) holders Cardiff 2nds are expected to be there or thereabouts with strong challenges from Warwick 2nds, Durham 2nds and York 2nds.
Paul Edwards will be all out to make it a hattrick of wins in the Individual Championship. Also among the front runners are the York pair of Tim Lister and James Lee, the latter looking to add to the Nine-ball title. The Strathclyde duo of Stevie Graham and last season’s beaten finalist Mark McCulloch should go well as will Ulster Coleraine’s Glenn Spalling.
Universities Pool Council Executive Chair, Iorwerth Griffiths remarked that ‘we are all looking forward to this historic weekend. Not only is this year’s championship the biggest ever, but it is also the first one recognised by BUSA, the British Universities Sports Association. Fittingly it should also be the best as the number of teams falling by the wayside at qualifying will make for a highly competitive event with strong teams throughout.’
And, as if all this isn’t enough, players are under added pressure to make the grade and secure a place in the Home Nations Championship this April at Swansea.
Play gets underway at 10h30 on Friday 24th February with the Individual Championship and Trophy. The team events commence on Saturday with the Individual Championship semi-finals and final from 19h00. Sunday sees the play-offs for the team events with the Team Championship semis and final from around 13h30.
20th February, 2006
For further information contact:
Iorwerth Griffiths, Apartment 8, 14, College Gardens, BELFAST BT9 6BQ. Tel: 07814520477. Email: universitiespoolcouncil@yahoo.co.uk