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Brendan Burgess
Tim Cross
Paul Lamford
Rick Janowski
Rod Jones
Tim Mooring
Roy Hollands
Jeff Barber
Michael Brereton
Julian Fetterlein

Kevin Stebbing

Nodar Gagua

Mardi Ohannessian

Paul Gilbertson

Uldis Lapikens

Hilton Trophy 2007

Report by Michael Crane

We had a decent entry for the increasingly popular, Friday 500 (12). The final between myself and Mardi Ohannessian looked to be going my way - but Mardi is a fighter and never lets the pace slacken and it was he that came out on top, thus consolidating his lead in the 500. Because I am not going to be entering the UK Finals, 500 Finals, I didn't take my points; I'll leave any place I might merit to those that deserve it. You can see the latest listing here.

Considering the time of year, a turnout of Main (27) was acceptable - we've had fewer! Defending champion, Paul Gilbertson had an early departure going out in Round 1 thanks to Paul Watts, and in turn, Paul was defeated by Uldis Lapikens in the next round. Being only five rounds long the next round was the last eight: Nicky Check vs Adrian Jones, David Startin vs Uldis Lapikens, Ramsaey Jamil vs Arthur Wright, and Dorothy Lee vs Chris Ternel. In each pairing it was the latter that went through. Arthur was pitched against Chris and almost made it; but in the end, it was Chris that got into the final. Here he met Uldis who despatched Adrian.

From the outset the final seemed to be going Chris's way: Uldis was 7-2 down when Chris (black) shipped across a 2-cube.

Black 7 White 2
Black cube action

Uldis took, and from there on for a while it went with Chris until he started rolling large doubles . . .

Black rolls 66

This looks good for Chris as he plays 8/2(2) 7/1*(2). Uldis then danced with 61 and then black rolled another double, double-five, 6/1(4). White danced again with 52, and black rolled 21, 8/5. At this point white re-entered with 53, 25/22 13/8; and then black rolls 62 and leaves a blot with 8/2 8/6, which is hit. Chris dances and then Uldis recubes to 4; which, according to Snowie was too good to double - and Chris dropped . . .

White recubes to 4

From here the match continues more or less in Uldis's favour until the score reached 2-away, 2-away. Before his first roll Uldis cubed and Chris took and the game went with Chris The turning point came when white came in off the bar and anchored, 25/21 24/21:

White rolls 43

Later, with white fronting a 5-prime, black rolls an awkward 54.

Black to play 54

He plays 14/5, leaving a direct 2, but Snowie says that 14/9 14/10 is better; it leaves eleven hitting rolls instead of twelve and leaves just 66 leaving a blot next roll. By moving just one checker, black has left 22, 21, 31, 64 and 11 that'll leave white a shot. White's reply was 42, a roll that hit, 13/11*, and covered, 8/4. Black came in with 51 and was forced to leave a second blot, 25/24 7/2; a blot that was scooped up with a fantastic 33, and suddenly black's behind a 6-prime with two checkers. Although he does hit back a white checker, it's not enough and eventually he ends up on the bar, closed out while white bears off. He gets only one shot a little later on but misses and he resigns.

On paper, Uldis was the underdog, and, prior to the 43 off the bar, he was heading for Runner-up. Well, played Uldis, and hard luck Chris.

Uldis and Chris

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In the Consolation (25), Main 1st Round victim, John Slattery, had to make his way from the non-progressive side to the final. On his way there he gave a free 'lesson' to new member, Richard Holness. Richard was attending his very first tournament and was knocked out of the Main by Chris Ternel; he then went on to beat Gerry Enslin and Jerry Limb before falling to Slats. Slats's opponent in the final was Arthur Wright - he'd beaten Adrian Jones and then Nicky Check, having the tournament of his life, to make it there. However, his run of victories cam to an abrupt end when Slats defeated him over two games.

Arthur and Slats

	It was apparent that we'd be struggling to make a bigger field than sixteen, so the Last Chance (16) was a bit smaller than usual. This shortness was continued into the final where Jerry Limb took just a short ten minutes to relegate his mate, Paul Watts, into second place. Being the reserved player we all know and love, Jerry just couldn't resist sharing his joy at getting his very first winner's trophy.
Jerry and Paul

Likewise the Triangle (16) was short and sweet. Here the finalists were Ramsey Jamil and Dorothy Lee. They had met earlier in the Consolation, an encounter that Ramsey won; so Dorothy was hoping to even the score. Unfortunately she was unable to do so and she ended up, second. Saturday night saw two events: Poker (12) in which Tony Fawcett prevailed, with Tony Lee 2nd and Paul Learmount 3rd. This outcome didn't affect the top two, Paul Watts and Paul Gilbertson, but it did transpose Myke Wignall and Tony Fawcett, leaving Tony in 3rd position and Myke in 4th. Here is the listing.

Ramsey and Dorothy

The Doubles (4) saw another victory by the unbeatable 'Cake of Cheese'. Thanks to them 'With a Trace' went without a trace and then, in the final, 'Checkmate' were checked out leaving the Cake to have their cake ... and eat it!

Finally
Overall it was a good event. Everyone had a good time and it went without incident. Clocks weren't necessary (you've guessed - Brian Lever and Stuart Mann weren't there!) and it all ended up on time. Thanks to all the entrants for turning out.