SnookerZone caught up with the brand new Jersey Open winner Darren Clark, who has loads to share in regards to the rising and extra attacking recreation of billiards in 2022. You would possibly even see him and some others on the TV quickly! Watch this area…
Darren Clark first began taking part in billiards when his dad, Michael, launched him to the sport, and, like with so many who get launched into cue sports activities, he grew to become hooked.
The 39-year-old first performed within the Teeside Boy’s Billiard League, which was dwelling to lots of right this moment’s prime gamers within the recreation, and has even had lengthy observe periods with the famend Peter Gilchrist.
Stated Clark: “I might go into the membership while it was closed to observe and would typically observe with among the older guys who would give me recommendation on my recreation. I couldn’t get sufficient of it within the early days.”
He added: “My Dad was a Billiards participant and coached the native group (Eston Institute) so I acquired concerned in it that approach. It was (and nonetheless is in some senses) very large within the space.”
Within the Boy’s league, aged round 17, Clark scored an unbelievable 303 in 30mins, fairly some feat for a child of that age.
He mentioned: “I keep in mind beating World Champion Lee Lagan in a handicapped Billiards knockout match after I was solely younger. He was little question giving me a wholesome begin, nevertheless it was nonetheless a spotlight all the identical. I finished taking part in for round 15 years on the age of 19 or so.”
However, for Clark, the win in Jersey will all the time be the spotlight for him and, partly, that may be all the way down to spending hours on the observe desk studying from the very best. Clark says if you wish to study to play billiards, you are able to do no improper by watching plenty of matches on Youtube and following the likes of Gilchrist and co.
He added: “I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend 2 or 3 months working towards with a number of World Champion Peter Gilchrist not too long ago. We performed at my home for possibly 5 or 6 hours a day, 5 days every week, and I realized lots from him. Getting teaching and recommendation from somebody like Peter is priceless actually and lots of wouldn’t get that chance. I suppose it’s the identical as going to your native tennis membership and taking part in with Federer on daily basis for two or 3 months! Eventually, one thing needed to rub off!”
Clark mentioned if you wish to experiment with billiards, it’s good to perceive and acknowledge the half-ball shot. That’s the place to begin to all of it.
“Within the by-gone period, the likes of Willie Smith and Tom Newman would run the purple ball round earlier than they performed to get their arm going, so if it’s adequate for them, he mentioned…”
The person initially from Teeside, now situated close to Wetherby in West Yorkshire, who works in design, however has additionally labored within the betting and gaming trade, mentioned that billiards is making nice strides in turning into a way more entertaining sport to observe now. It has turn out to be extra attacking. Actually, billiards is equally following within the strains of pool with the Final Pool scene, making the sport way more attacking and entertaining for TV audiences and followers.
🏆 WORLD MATCHPLAY | We’re delighted to announce particulars of our a lot anticipated World Matchplay Championship which is able to happen in Eire in April.
The occasion will probably be preceded by the Irish Open on the identical venue.
Full particulars 👉https://t.co/MUNnOzEBEJ pic.twitter.com/PbYqm4ZEij
— 🌎 World Billiards (@WorldBilliards) December 15, 2021
He added: “We’ve acquired the short-format World Championship in April in Carlow, which is performed with modified guidelines to encourage attacking play, and it’s additionally over 100-up frames. So, it’s a bit extra explosive than say a timed occasion. There’s heaps deliberate for World Billiards, and we’ve acquired a number of issues within the pipeline that I feel folks will probably be excited by. You would possibly even see one thing showing on TV quickly (watch this area).”
When SnookerZone interviewed Peter Sheehan, one other billiards participant, he teased us about the truth that 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy was a eager billiard participant and could be suited to it, as would Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Clark added: “I do know that Shaun Murphy is an efficient billiard participant. He’s made a 300+ break. He and Ronnie have most likely acquired essentially the most suited cue motion, I might say. Aonghus McAnally, a fellow board member (and all-around legend) is making an attempt to set one thing up with Shaun on the Billiards entrance, fingers crossed on that one!”
Clark recounts a recreation he’ll always remember with a prolific cue sports activities participant from India.
“ reminiscence, apart from among the more moderen stuff, was after I performed Alok Kumar in 2018 in Leeds over 45 minutes. It was within the Jim Williamson Open, there was round 10 minutes or so left, and I used to be trailing by round 100. I managed to make a break of 154 with my final go to to win the match. Alok’s an incredible participant from India and has excelled at most cue sports activities. Earlier than that break, I’d scored little or no in the remainder of the match, so it was good to drag that one out of the bag!”
SnookerZone, like many cue sports activities followers, would like to see some billiards on TV, and a brand new attacking model of the game.
Because of Darren Clark for speaking to SnookerZone…
Watch Clark in motion under…
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