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The biggest annual Nine-Ball Pool Tournament in the UK

A Pro9 - Europe's No.1 Pool Player Resource Article

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Date: Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 18:57:32 UTC
Topic: 9 Ball



2008 Universities Pool Council Nine-Ball Pool Championships
Universities Pool Council
Dr. Iorwerth Griffiths,
www.upc-pool.org.uk
www.upc-pool.org.uk/9ballPreviewDraw2008-2009.htm - View the draw
www.rileysltd.com
www.TheProShop.biz

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12-14 December 2008


Click the picture to view the draw at the University Pool Council web site.

2008 Universities Pool Council Nine-Ball Pool Championships - Event Preview

The weekend of the 12-14 December 2008 sees forty-six teams and over 170 university nine-ball players descend on Riley’s, Solihull to battle it out for the Team and Individual Championships. This event has grown dramatically in the last five years, and with a further nine teams competing compared with last season’s entry, the event now boasts the title of the biggest annual nine-ball event in the UK.

“The UPC is very proud of the growth of this event in recent seasons and to see it now as the biggest annual Nine-ball Pool tournament in the UK is quite amazing” said UPC Executive Chair, Dr Iorwerth Griffiths. He added “this is a testament to our excellent venue partner, Riley’s, Solihull and the enjoyment the players get at our events. The vast majority of the players are under 25 and with this being the biggest annual Nine-ball Pool event in the UK shows the contribution the UPC is making to the future of the discipline in the UK.”

Editor's note: In a last minute deal, The Pro Shop is pleased to announce an exclusive year long sponsorship deal has been struck with the UPC, and Pro9 is hoping to carry reports from as many of these events as possible.



This event will continue to use the Championship/Trophy format with the bonus of a ‘second chance’ that double elimination offers. Cardiff 1sts are holders of the Team Championship and aspire to retain their crown but their task will be made trickier due to totally changed personnel from their victorious panel. Last year’s finalists Bristol will hope to go one better this year and Warwick, York and Nottingham, who consistently reach the latter stages of this event, come back with strong teams with the ability to challenge in the latter stages.

University of Leeds, strengthened by the addition of seasoned University stalwarts Glen Spalling (Ex-Ulster, Coleraine) and Martin Pratt (ex-Durham), will be one to watch as will the vocal University of Ulster who enter this event for the first time. Will their success in recent years in the BUSA-UPC Eight-ball Championships transfer to another discipline? We also welcome London School of Economics who are new to university pool this season.

A new name will adorn the Individual Championship as Adam Shaw will not be there to retain his championship. Names to look out for are Rich Wharton (Anglia Ruskin) who is aiming to become the first player to win both the 8-ball and 9-ball individual titles, GB9ball Tour player Chun Hao Man (Manchester Met) with Mike Walsh (York), James Hill and Jay Murphy (both Warwick) all expected to do well. The entry of several new and restructured teams means that there could well be a few dark horses in the draw!

The draw went live on the UPC website www.upc-pool.org.uk at 7pm on Sunday 7 December.

The action gets underway with the Individual Championship at 10h40 on Friday 12th December that will be played up to and including the quarter-finals. The Team Championship begins at 10h00 on Saturday 13th December with the Individual Championship Semi-finals and Final from 19h45.

The Team Championship resumes at 10am on Sunday 14th December with the Semis and Final from around 2pm. The Trophy Semi-finals and final are expected to be underway earlier at 12h30.













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