Archive News 2005

Remember this name people... Philip Burford. He has got a game that's going to scare every 9 Ball player, both young and old, not only in this country but in Europe too. He has just become the FIRST EVER, British Junior 9 Ball Champion. Burford shone throughout the tournament but none more so than in the final where he beat 16 year old Basildon boy Tony Burton, 11 racks to 5. For getting to the final, both players received free membership of the BPPPA British Professional 9 Ball Tour plus entry to the EPBF European Junior Championship held in Luxembourg this August. Burford also claimed a very collectable limited edition cue sponsored for the Tournament by Viking Cues, a handy cash prize and a trophy big enough to hide in. At just 14 years old, Philip Burford already has almost all of the attributes to make it big in this sport. Potting, position, safety, jumping, text-book cue action, kicking - all impressive and the practise he puts in at his local club at Riley's, Darlington is there for all to see. Though where he goes to practise the confidence, maturity and temperament is a mystery.
		Before the event, Burford was among the favourites for the sought after title, having already won the BPPPA Junior Northern title in January. Philip Burford made the semi final stages along with Tony Burton, both qualifying through the winner's side of the draw. Philip Burford faced the encouraging Andy Cragg and showed everyone his steam train impression, winning 9 - 3 to make the final. Tony Burton played fellow Essex boy Adam Stevens. Another fight to the death for Stevens but he was on the wrong end of the score line this time as Tony Burton held his nerve to win 9 - 8
The final was in all honesty a one-sided affair and the majority of the sixteen racks played followed the same pattern. Philip breaks - Philip lays safety - Tony eventually fouls or leaves a shot - Philip clears. Saturday 21st May 2005 was no doubt Philip's day. I've got a sneaky suspicion he'll have many more great days. To end is how we started... Remember this name folks... Philip Burford
- Ben Moore : British Professional Pool Players Association (BPPPA) Press Officer

Youngsters between the ages of twelve and eighteen travelled from as far afield as Reading to compete in the northern heat of the national youth 9 ball tournament, and their cueing prowess provided drama and excitement from start to finish. The event was won by fourteen year old Philip Burford from Darlington, who knocked out Leeds's Matthew Andrews in the final 11-7. Seventeen year old Andrews is a regular on the BPPPA's Main Tour and consistently makes the last 32, but his big tournament experience wasn't enough to see off the rising star Burford, who played with a fluent stroke and a fearless, focussed approach seemingly beyond his years.
	Burford knockout out Doncaster's Kyle Sarson and Manchester's John-Joe Martin 9-6 and 9-5 respectively, before scraping a victory of 9-8 over Dominic Gee, another Doncaster local, to make it through the double elimination phase undefeated. Burford's semi-final was against Mark Hardy, the match finishing 9-4
The natural talent on show in this tournament bodes well for those who feel that Britain should rule the world at every cue sport, not just snooker. Britain has never really had the success on the world stage compared to that of America, Europe and the Philippines, but the new generation, whose young brains are tuned to the game of 9 ball before any other cue sport, could change all that. Playing with the confidence of youth, the pace of these boys was astounding.
- Kevin Porter : British Professional Pool Players Association - BPPPA