Appleton Aces GB9 London Classic, Smith Wins Challenge, Gray Takes Pro

GB9 Press Release:

Appletons Keep It In The Famliy

An Appleton featured in each of the three division finals at Rileys American Pool Club in Shepherd's Bush, London this weekend, as 10-Ball World Champion Darren won the Main Event, and also managed a runner up spot in The Pro Cup event, whilst his lesser-known cousin Andy Appleton scored his first final in the Challenge Division at the GB9 London Classic this weekend.

GB9 is Britain’s official professional 9 ball pool tour. The tour has quickly cemented itself as the toughest and most respected national pool tour in Europe with a line up of players other nations can only dream of, such as the 2007 World pool Champion - Daryl Peach; European Number 1 - Mark Gray, 2008 World 10 Ball Champion - Darren Appleton, London's finest - Imran Majid and Raj Hundal, snooker legend Tony Drago, and a special guest appearance at this event by former European Mosconi Cup winning team player Lee Tucker.

Crazy as it may seem, it must be said that Appleton's game appeared to be a bit scrappy compared to his usual inch perfect position, and despite his consistent victories over this World Class field, he admitted that he had struggled with the all-important break shot.

Appleton's next engagement will not be until the Austrian EuroTour, as he has been reliably informed that the scheduled Europe vs. Asia battle has been postponed due to complications and fears concerning the worldwide Swine Flu epidemic.

Despite this disappointment, he won't be at a loss for things to do as he has quickly filled the gap with a 2 week break to go fishing with his good friend and newly crowned English World 8 Ball Pool Champion Phil Harrison from Surrey.

Adam Benn Smith Finds Extra Gear For Challenge Cup Victory

Adam Benn Smith has now finished in the final at three of the last four Challenge Division events, and his earnings from pool are beginning to eclipse many of the Pro Cup players.

He enjoyed his final with Andy Appleton, and although Appleton had a few chances to pile on some pressure, his experience on the final match table with it's superior Z9 Cloth helped him get over the line yet again.

Actually, the Challenge Cup champion's toughest match on the route to the final table came earlier on, from Steve Folan, who sped away to a commanding 7-2 lead in the race to 9 quarter-final stages.

"I was down and out in that match, but I found an extra gear from somewhere", said Smith, after he managed to turn the score around to take the match with a 9-7 victory.

"I really thought I was dead and buried there, but when I won that match I really thought it was going to be my day".

Gray Finally Breaks Majid's Vice-Link Grip On No. 1 Spot

The third event of the weekend is the GB9 Pro Cup, and is exclusively for the cream of British talent. These 32 players have earned promotion from the Challenge Division, or retained their place with good finishes in the previous season,

Arguably one of the tougher events of the weekend, it has been dominated recently by Daryl Peach who was aiming to make it 3 victories in a row, but he was edged out in the semi-finals by Darren Appleton. Imran Majid, who notched up an incredible run of victories in the Main Event last season, was also stopped at this event by Darren Appleton in the Last 16 Stage.

Appleton, the newly crowned WPA Number One Ranked Player in the World then met former European Number One Ranked Player Mark Gray in the final, and it was Gray who lead all the way, actually racking up a considerable lead until Appleton mounted a comeback, only to be thwarted by a dominating performance by Gray in the latter stages.

"That was the best I've played all tournament", said Gray afterwards. "This means a bit extra to me, as everyone probably knows there's some added 'spice' to this match."

"It's great to be back on the winner's podium again" said Gray, as despite his many European wins, this was Gray's first victory in a GB9 Pro Cup event, hopefully the first of many.

Gray's semi-final finish in the GB9 London Classic, the Main Event of the weekend has also bumped him into the top spot on the Main Tour provisional rankings, a full 10 points clear of nearest rival Daryl Peach who now holds the number two position, followed by Karl Boyes and Imran Majid in 3rd and 4th place respectively.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Warden of Belleza Photography