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English Billiards - 2017 White Roofing English Open

​25th & 26th March 2017 / Cambridge Snooker and Pool Centre, Cambridge, England

GREAT GILCHRIST KEEPS UP RUN

​In form Peter Gilchrist won his third consecutive World Billiards tournament when he narrowly ousted Martin Goodwill 413-372 during a thrilling climax to the final of the 2017 White Roofing English Open.

​A healthy starting entry of 46 travelled to Cambridge for this Level 3 World Ranking event. There was representation from the UK and beyond.

​Gilchrist had no concerns qualifying from his Round Robin; chalking up victories in all four of his fixtures. He was awarded a bye in the Last 32 and then defeated Chris Coumbe, Ryan Mears and Phil Mumford in the Last 16, Quarters and Semi-Final respectively.

Elsewhere in the competition, defending 4-time consecutive champion Dave Causier had his streak ended by India's Dhruv Sitwala 553-399 in the Last 8. This perhaps served as some revenge for Sitwala, who lost to Causier 8-6 in the World Championship Short Format only a few months ago.

​However, it would be Englishman Goodwill appearing in the final courtesy of a 409-294 Semi-Final success over the Asian cueist. Just like Gilchrist, he too had remained unbeaten on route. A former European and multiple English Amateur Champion, Martin was in his first WBL final since the 2014 Bradford Open. He won this Championship in 2009.

The final was an entertaining and high quality affair throughout. Trailing with not a great deal of time left on the clock, Gilchrist amassed an unfinished break of 100 to overhaul Goodwill's previous lead and take the match by just a difference of 41 points.

It earned Gilchrist £640 and a hat-trick of trophies after his wins at the Scottish and Borders Opens. It was his second English Open following his first in 2008 where he again beat Goodwill in the final.

​Causier took the highest break bonus with an incredible run of 807 during his Last 16 tie with Phil Davis. This effort comfortably eclipses the previous bench mark for the season - a 619 which was also compiled by Causier. It was the highest in the history of this event too.

Hitesh Kotwani of India defeated Wales' Peter Stanyer 200-129 in the final of the Challenge event.

The next tournament on the World Billiards circuit is the LiteTask UK Open from Leeds between the 14th-17th April.

A big thank you to Chris Coumbe (as a player he reached the Last 16, as a referee he officiated the final!) for his information.

For more information, and the full results, please visit the World Billiards website here.

Written and published by Michael Day on the 27th March 2017

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