Last weekend (Feb 1st - 3rd) saw the first ever event on the UK's brand new 9-ball tour - the Midlands Classic.
Imran Majid multiple Eurotour and British ranking event winner and former Mosconi Cup player had one of his best ever weekends in British pool when he cleaned up both the Pro Cup division (picking up £1000) and the Main Event (winning £1200). The Pro Cup division was wrapped up in the early hours of Sunday morning where he played 17-year-old Phil Burford. Phil, himself a former British Junior Champion, defeated both the 2007 World Champion (Daryl Peach) and a World bronze medallist (Karl Boyes) on his way to the final. It seemed that the final was just one step too far for Phil who struggled in the match that Imran completed dominated running out an 11-4 winner.
Quite a funny moment did occur in the final when Imran got to 9-3 he unscrewed his cue and shook Phil's hand only to be told that the match was a race to 11!
In the challenge event European Junior Silver medallist, Thomas Ainsworth-Smith defeated Bradley Parker in a very tight and tense match. The match finished at around 1.25am on Sunday and the crowd were still in the venue supporting the players. Thomas eventually won the match 11-10.
In the main event the cream rose to the top and after 2 and a bit days of intense action the main event final was between Imran Majid and reigning European Number 1 Mark Gray. It was always going to be a tight match but nobody predicted a hill-hill match Majid eventually won the match 11-10.
CueSport TV were covering the action throughout the weekend and the first instalment will be showing from Sunday 10th February at
www.cuesport.tv - this will be the last 16 pro cup match between Craig Osborne and Chris Melling.
CueSport TV have some great interviews with some of the top players plus a nice interview with 2007 World Champion Daryl Peach. In addition they will be showing 7 matches from the weekend.
