subject: Gb9 Midlands Classic [print this page] Last weekend (Feb 1st - 3rd) saw the first ever event on the UK's brand new 9-ball tour - the Midlands Classic.
Imran Majid multiple Eurotour and British ranking event winner and former Mosconi Cup player had one of his best ever weekends in British pool when he cleaned up both the Pro Cup division (picking up 1000) and the Main Event (winning 1200). The Pro Cup division was wrapped up in the early hours of Sunday morning where he played 17-year-old Phil Burford. Phil, himself a former British Junior Champion, defeated both the 2007 World Champion (Daryl Peach) and a World bronze medallist (Karl Boyes) on his way to the final. It seemed that the final was just one step too far for Phil who struggled in the match that Imran completed dominated running out an 11-4 winner.
Quite a funny moment did occur in the final when Imran got to 9-3 he unscrewed his cue and shook Phil's hand only to be told that the match was a race to 11!
In the challenge event European Junior Silver medallist, Thomas Ainsworth-Smith defeated Bradley Parker in a very tight and tense match. The match finished at around 1.25am on Sunday and the crowd were still in the venue supporting the players. Thomas eventually won the match 11-10.
In the main event the cream rose to the top and after 2 and a bit days of intense action the main event final was between Imran Majid and reigning European Number 1 Mark Gray. It was always going to be a tight match but nobody predicted a hill-hill match Majid eventually won the match 11-10.
CueSport TV were covering the action throughout the weekend and the first instalment will be showing from Sunday 10th February at www.cuesport.tv - this will be the last 16 pro cup match between Craig Osborne and Chris Melling.
CueSport TV have some great interviews with some of the top players plus a nice interview with 2007 World Champion Daryl Peach. In addition they will be showing 7 matches from the weekend.
For full results and rankings visit: www.gb9balltour.com
128 of Britain's best 9-ballers converge on Rileys Croydon for the Southern Masters, including European number 1 Mark Gray and World Champion Daryl Peach.
In addition to the above mentioned players the tour will for the first time be graced with the presence of non-other than Tony 'The Tornado' Drago, and last event double winner Imran Majid.
With three tournaments across the weekend and over 11,000 in prize money the action will no-doubt be tense and fierce as players from both divisions jostle for position and those all important ranking points towards the end of year total.
17-year-old former British Junior Champion Phil Burford shocked a few in the last pro event as he defeated both the World Champion and World bronze medallist in reaching the final. He played some fantastic pool en route to the final but it seemed the pinnacle match was just a step too far for him for some reason as he never really got going.
As mentioned previously Imran Majid did the double in Solihull winning both the Pro Division and the Main Tour event. As the rankings for next year (and positions on the tour) are determined by the main tour event Imran has taken his first step to staying in the pro division and has definitely done himself proud in topping the main tour after one event.
128 players play across the weekend (all of them in the main event) with 96 in the Challenge Division and the remaining 32 in the Pro Division. A few of the pro players like Damian Overton, Paddy McLoughlin, Raj Hundal and Neil Raybone are going to need to improve their performances in order to stay in the Pro Division and perhaps event the main tour proper.
Youngster, Thomas Ainsworth-Smith, who defeated Brad Parker in a very tight match 11-10, won the challenge tour. The challenge tour has a number of players that would fit in quite well in the pro division and the likes of Parker, Massey, Ainsworth-Smith and Burton will be looking to progress into the Pro Division for next season.
