Champion: David Causier
Runner Up: Peter Gilchrist
Causier was the defending short format champion, having won the previous event in 2017, but the winner today would be getting their name etched on the resurrected World Matchplay trophy, after the 100up event was renamed that year. The last time players competed for this particular trophy was in 2002, when Chris Shutt beat Roxton Chapman in the final at Midsomer Norton.
In the final against Peter Gilchrist, Causier made his intentions clear in the first frame with a 97 break, but Gilchrist soon settled in by taking the next three frames with breaks of 95unf, 100unf and 55. Trailing 3-1, Causier rattled off the next four frames with breaks of 92, 99 and 52, limiting Gilchrist’s scoring to just 49 points.
It was looking like this best of 15 final would go all the way. The next four frames were shared as Causier maintained his two-frame cushion at 7-5 and needing just one more for victory. Gilchrist then produced two excellent breaks under pressure (101unf and 85unf), to force a decider at 7-7.
In a tense final frame, Causier’s 76 break took him to the required 100 points to Gilchrist’s 87, as he lifted the title to conclude a great week of Billiards in Leeds.
You can see a full list of the results & breaks here.