Kimberley Retains No.1 Spot - 11th July 2006

Current European 9 Ball Champion Roy Kimberley came this week to Riley's Solihull to retain his British No.1 position on the British Wheelchair Tour and he did just that with an amazing performance over two days showing the true talent and skill of a champion indeed.

Kimberley took apart a skilful field including victories over Craig Robins 7-1 and Frankie Gillen 7-2 which took him into the semi final to meet old rival Matt Gleaves. The one-sided score-line probably does not reflect how close the game really was but is indicative of Kimberley's killer instinct in crossing the winning line. He defeated Gleaves 9-0 to guarantee him a place in the final against the ever improving Karl Read who was a 9 Ball bronze medallist at the 2006 European Championships and only two weeks ago retained his English pool World Champion title in Blackpool.

Kimberley stepped up another gear in the final and cruised to a 9-1 win to avenge his defeat by Read last month in Birmingham. Read also reached the final with a display of class cueing defeating Gary Swift 7-6 and Matt Gleaves 7-4. Both Swift and Gleaves showed determination by coming through the one-loss side of the tournament to reach the semi finals and it was there Read met Swift again and this time winning 9-7.

Londoner nick Oliver won the "Plate" Tournament in defeating Adam Pearson 3-0.

The British Wheelchair Pool Players Association is the largest wheelchair tour of the American pool disciplines in Europe and grows larger with every event. This time it was a pleasure to welcome Frankie Gillen, a proven English pool player to the large table. Although Gillen went out of the tournament 1-2, he showed that he has talent and will certainly be a force to be reckoned with at future events.

- BPPPA Press Office

Photos from top: Roy Kimberley, Karl Read