Michael Valentine (Falkirk) won the inaugural ANBA Open at Rileys Chapel Street with a tense 10-9 final victory over Jimmy Pollock (Dundee).

  The event carried a £1000 prize fund, and attracted the cream of ANBA talent, as well as 4 of the top 10 Scottish players. Favourite, however was UK number 2 Andy Richardson (Leeds), who breezed through his group matches without loss, but then could not withstand a potting onslaught from Pollock in the quarter finals, and succumbed 10-7.

  By this time, all eyes were on ANBA number 1 Derek Hearns, who had earned top seeding by virtue of a staggering performance in the group stages; Derek won all 5 of his matches 7-0, and was actually 6-0 up in his last 32 match, before finally dropping a rack. The run of 41 consecutive winning racks sets a record that is unlikely to be ever beaten in an ANBA tournament.

  However, Derek met stubborn resistance in the shape of Stuart Ellis (Falkirk) in the quarter finals, and found himself 5-0 adrift; at 8-3, Stuart was still favourite, but the local player pulled back to 8-7 before the winning racks were added.

  Most thrilling quarter final was between 2 ANBA players; Graham Reid had every reason to fancy a semi final place at 8-2 up against Mark Oaten, but suffered an uncharacteristic collapse as he lost 10-9. After such an exhausting match, Oaten could find no form in the semis against Valentine, and lost 10-3. Pollock, meanwhile got the better of Ellis in a tight semi final, as he prevailed 10-8.

  Michael took the Ladbroke trophy back to Falkirk along with a £500 cheque; Jimmy collected £250 as runner-up, whilst Ellis and Oaten scooped £125 each.