WORLD 8BALL POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009
28th June to 9th July 2009

"LITTLE" BEN STRIKES TO CLAIM JUNIOR CROWN

Ben Clark added his name to a junior world championship roll of honour that includes Gareth Potts, Chris Melling and Darren Matthew.

The 16-year-old from Braintree, England defeated fellow Blackpool qualifier Giuseppe D'Imperio 8-6 to lift the trophy at the Imperial Hotel.

"I'm really surprised," said the Essex teenager who held his nerve to claim the biggest prize of his fledgling career. "I didn't think either of us were good enough to win the title. I would have been pleased simply to get to the last 16."

Clark, who has a practice table at home, won a staggering 11 matches on his way to the first prize. He was never behind in the final though D'Imperio gave him several scares before potting the vital black.

"Probably the key frame was the 11th," he explained. "I was 6-4 up and Giuseppe missed a black I thought he was going to pot. So, I managed to take that frame and eventually made a clearance to win the title. It was so nerve wracking at the end but after I'd won, I was really buzzing. I just didn't think I was going to win."

D'Imperio from Twickenham was even more of an unknown. However, he became a name to be feared en route to the final. He disposed of Josh Corkett 7-1 in the quarters and Billy Barrett (7-5) in the penultimate round.

"I was gutted to lose in the end but Ben was the better player. "I did my best to get in front but just couldn't manage it," said D'Imperio who shared the first eight frames. Considering this was my first time here, I think I can be pleased with what I achieved. I've never really won anything before in pool but this has given me a taste."

Steve Petty suffered a disappointing qualifying defeat in the main men's singles draw. However, the former European junior champion hit back to claim the Under 21's crown. Petty defeated England rival Sam Jeffrey 8-3.

Gary Swift defeated defending champion Tony Southern 5-2 to claim the wheelchair championship.

"KING PHIL" IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

England’s Phil Harrison ripped up his 'nearly man' tag in Blackpool tonight by becoming Foster's World 8 Ball Pool champion for the first time.

The popular Cambridgeshire cueman pocketed a £10,000 first prize for his 11-7 victory over hot favourite Mick Hill.

"That's the nearly man gone," smiled 35-year-old Harrison who had lost in four previous semi-finals before beating Adam Davis on Wednesday. "It was getting difficult towards the end and all the bad memories came flooding back," admitted the seventh seed from Sutton. "I twitched a few times but in the end managed to get over the line. I'm really happy, this is something I've waited for so long and thought it might never happen."

Carl Morris, champion in 1998 and who, like Harrison, suffers from total deafness, was among Harrison's supporters. "I owe everyone who has helped me win this a big thank you," said the emotional new champion.

Harrison's success enabled him to add his name to a roll of honour that includes: Kevin Wright, Greg Farren, Rob McKenna, Daz Ward, Jason Twist, Chris Melling, Quinten Hann, Mark Selby and Gareth Potts.

Hill, champion in 2005 and also runner-up two years ago, groaned: "I wish I had lost in the first round. This is worse than 2007 because that time it was my own fault. But the luck turned against me this time," added Hill who picked up a £3,000 consolation prize.

Harrison never looked back after taking a 2-0 lead. The finalists shared the first six frames but Hill could never get his nose in front. A four frame burst took Harrison 7-3 clear and he also led 9-4 and 10-5. Disaster struck though in frame 16, missing the second last red with the title at his mercy. It looked costly as Black Country ace Hill fought back to 10-7. However, a dry Hill break in frame 19 proved costly and Harrison made the most of his opportunity.

Earlier, Sue Thompson won the ladies singles title for a ninth time, beating Northern Ireland's Emma Cunningham 8-6.

"It's great to win my ninth title," enthused the number two seed. "It doesn't seem to matter you have won it eight times before. It's what you do now that's important. However, it doesn't get any easier," she said.

AUSSIES’ "ASHES" CRASH

England may be toiling in the Ashes but when it comes to 8-Ball Pool, they rule the world.

England beat Australia 8-6 in the men's team final to make it 13 titles in the 17-year history of the event.

For the sixth time in seven years, Team England, led by skipper Lee Kendall, lifted the men's team trophy at the Foster's World 8-Ball Championships in Blackpool. But it was a close call against underdogs Australia who rose to the challenge and almost caused a major upset. However, victory was only marginal compensation for deposed individual champion Gareth Potts and beaten semi-finalist, Adam Davis.

Potts won both his frames against John 'Rusty' Wheeler and Darren Gordon. But unlucky Davis slipped up against James Delahunty and Wheeler. Indeed, his defeat against Wheeler let the Aussies, shock semi-final winners over Wales, back into the match.

"Adam was unlucky because after potting the black he suffered an in-off," said Potts. "There's a big difference between 5-4 and 6-3. That frame gave them a big lift and we just couldn't get over the line. It was hard to pick myself up for the team event after what happened in the singles," agreed Potts. "I think I was just burned out by the time I played Adam. I played so many tough matches, especially in the World Masters, that I think I might have peaked too soon. Normally, I don't do as well in the Masters but this time I didn't manage to get home for a couple of days break. However, I'll be back next year to give it another go."

Potts' win over Darren Gordon took England to the verge of victory only for Kendall to slip up against Jamie Stevens. But World Masters champion, Ben Flack, prevented a deciding frame with victory over Tim Shelton.

"Had Adam not suffered that in-off we might have won easier," agreed Kendall. "We knew they had their strongest players at the start to I shuffled the team around for the second half. We kept Gareth in reserve and thankfully the tactics worked out. Neil Toms did well in front of the cameras and he would be my man of the match."

Results.

England bt Australia 8-6: James Delahunty bt Adam Davis, Neil Toms bt Mark Williams, Gareth Potts bt John Wheeler, Steve Saxon bt Lee Kendall, Gareth Hibbott bt Brent Read, Ian Hubbard bt Jamie Stevens, Ben Flack bt Tim Shelton.
Wheeler bt Davis, Delahunty bt Danny Miller, Williams bt Hibbott, Toms bt Saxon, Potts bt Gordon, Stevens bt Kendall, Flack bt Shelton.