8 North Walls
STAFFORD
Staffordshire
ST16 3AD
Tel: 01785 241001
www.bpppa.org
www.rileysltd.com
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Saturday 20 May 2006
The New British Junior Champion - Mathew Lawrenson
Lawrenson – 2006 BPPPA British Junior Champion
Wigan’s Matthew Lawrenson chose the biggest event of all to display his true American pool potential, beating Basildon’s Tony Burton by eleven racks to three in the final to take the title of 2006 BPPPA British Junior Champion, and consign Burton to a consecutive runner-up placing in these annual Championships. To say Lawrenson dominated the final, staged at Riley’s Stafford on Saturday 20th May, would be an understatement as his cueing under pressure held firm, no doubt owing to his long snooker upbringing. As reward for reaching the final, Lawrenson and runner-up Burton, both 17, secured their entries in Kiev, Ukraine where they will represent Great Britain whilst competing in the EPBF Junior European Championships this coming August. Since turning his attentions from snooker to American 9 ball in October last year, Lawrenson’s quick progress has been a pleasure to watch as he has sent heads turning, not just on the Junior Tour, but the Main Tour itself. Some high-profile scalps which include current World Pool Masters Champion Raj Hundal and a superb fifth place finish at last month’s BPPPA Northampton Open are hopefully just the opening sequence of highlights to a successful career in the sport of pool.
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After several attempts at Regional BPPPA Junior titles, Lawrenson came into the Championships in Stafford without the 9 ball trophy that his talent deserved. He put that negative statistic to bed with a tournament display of self-assured play and the consistency that is the under-pinning of any Champion. Fine victories over first David Hood 9 – 5 and then Michael Beeston 9 – 1 saw Lawrenson through to the single elimination quarter final stages. Liam Wilson, a highly promising 12 year old from London was seen off by Lawrenson 9 – 5 in the quarters before being given his toughest test of the event in the last four. Darren Appleton, Carl Morris, Rob McKenna and Karl Boyes are just some of a well known fast-converting bunch of English 8 ball stars changing over to American Pool and the trend seems to have snowballed to the under 18’s too. Ben Clayton called upon all his knowledge of the small-table sport to push Lawrenson close, but the Wigan shooter edged to a narrow 9 – 7 victory and a seat in the final.
‘Basildon Bomber’ Tony Burton walked through the doors at Stafford as one of the clear favourites with two of this season’s three Regional winner’s trophies now residing in his home. As with Lawrenson, Burton has also made a name for himself already on the Main Tour, with two last 16 berths jumping out from his pool curriculum vitae. Dominic Gee found Burton on the front foot from the off, his usually mature style could do nothing to halt Burton from a 9 – 2 win in the first round. 15 year old defending champion Philip Burford sent Burton to the one-loss side of the draw 9 – 3 before Burton finally secured his spot in the last 8 with a win over David Hood, Burton coming from 3 – 2 down to take the match 7 – 3. The draw for the quarter finals decided that one last Burton-Burford showdown would be seen on British soil before Burton ends his junior apprenticeship and turns 18. Burton rose to the occasion far higher than Burford, mopping up Burford’s uncharacteristic errors and taking the match 9 – 4. Burton secured his spot in the final with a superb performance over Scotland’s Ross Simpson, looking far stronger, more composed and therefore much improved in the twelve month’s between events. Burton put his breaking power to good use in this match and ran out a 9 – 3 victor.
All plaudits must go to the champion Mathew Lawrenson. He has waited patiently for his turn in the spotlight and thoroughly warrants it now it has arrived. The only quote from Lawrenson came as those watching approached to congratulate him on his outstanding performance in the final, “I can’t believe it”, he said with a proud smile. Believe it young man, that huge golden trophy adorning your living room right now is proof that effort equals results.
Ben Moore
BPPPA Press Officer
British Junior Championship Runner-Up - Tony Burton
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