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EBOS :: Denis Wood Memorial Open - Birmingham 04 – 05 July 2009 |
Roxton Chapman reminded everyone of his world class credentials that belief his current amateur status by displaying some truly sublime billiards to demolish the current World Professional champion Mike Russell in the final to take this prestigious title and the winners cheque for £1,300. Russell was reduced to a spectator as Chapman compiled the highest break of the tournament of 449 midway through the final to open up a virtually unassailable lead of some 600 points with half an hour remaining.
Chapman's blistering display of break building was carried through from his semi-final clash with former World Professional champion Geet Sethi, where he compiled runs 240 & 359 unfinished. Sethi, who made the highest break on the first day of 339, was gracious as ever in defeat stating that "it was a fabulous performance by Roxton". This tournament victory is all the more remarkable given that Chapman had not picked his cue up since the Welsh Open in late March until that of his opening group match.
Russell, whilst 'not having played' in the final, gave everyone a glimpse of why he is unquestionably the greatest player since Walter Lindrum by compiling a series of mammoth breaks in the earlier groups stages and knock out rounds, underlined by his quarter final mauling of Roy Bacon with breaks of 407, 337, 377 and 96 contributing to a 1244 point 90 minute total from only 5 visits to the table (an average of 248.9 per visit). Bacon, and accomplished player himself, having been reduced to the lowest ever 90 minute EBOS total of 32 points afterwards praised Russell by saying "that was the greatest performance of relentless scoring I have ever witnessed".
In form Martin Goodwill never really got going, losing to Geet Sethi in the last 16 by some margin, reversing the result between them only three weeks since in the European Open. 17 year old Ryan Clark displayed some accurate potting and good match play discipline to reach the quarter finals, beating former Professional John Murphy in the last 16 to record what must be his nest win to date.
Results - Knockout Stage
Draw & Results League Matches
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