By Elliott West
Introduction
Geoff Thomas is a name that still rings loudly through the Welsh valleys. A player who was a dominant force on the Welsh amateur circuit in the 1970s. Geoff from Ferndale in the Rhondda was a regular face at the World Amateur Championships and often travelled to Dublin to compete in this prestigious tournament with an ultimate dream of holding this esteemed trophy aloft. Thomas was the first player to make a century in a championship match, potting seven blacks, five pinks, yellow, green and brown balls. A feat that was achieved during a second-round match against Martin Veale of Merthyr at the Mountain Ash Workingmen’s club during the Welsh Championship. Hence setting a new Welsh record.
The Championship Bid
Geoff Thomas’s finest moment was when he won the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1972, beating Terry Griffiths 6-2 and he also reached the final in 1970, losing to Des May. In 1973 and 1974, Geoff lost to Alwyn Lloyd 8-6 and 8-5 and Terry Griffiths got his revenge on his opponent in 1975, defeating Thomas 8-7.
Geoff Thomas also reached the final of the 1974 World Amateur Snooker Championship where he played Ray Edmonds. In a final where the Welshman got off to a disastrous start in this 21 frame final. Trailing 2-5 after the first session, Geoff needed nine of the fourteen frames to deny Ray of the title. A match that really didn’t show the brilliance of this Welsh player and he could definitely have won another three frames on the spin if Edmonds hadn’t been in his majestic element. However, Thomas’s curse came in the form of several squandered opportunities, missing several relatively easy blacks. An overnight lead by Edmonds spelt curtains for Thomas after he had led the match 7-6 but Geoff fought back from 7-9 down to bring it back to 9-9. Edmonds then went on to capture the last two frames and retain the title that he first won in 1972. He also reached the quarter-finals in 1976, losing 2-4 to Doug Mountjoy and in 1977, lost to Cliff Wilson in the semi-final 3-7. He reached the final again in 1979, losing to Cliff Wilson 5-8.
Geoff also reached the last 16 of 1975 Pontins Spring Open, losing to Patsy Fagan 1-4. In 1976, he reached the last 32 stages, losing 3-4 to Tony Knowles and in the Pontins Autumn Open the same year, lost 3-4 to Doug French.
Summary
Thomas continued to be a dominant force at both the Welsh Amateur Championship and Pontins until 1990. An impressive run for a player who never turned professional but beat most of the professionals of the time in various tournaments. Geoff may not be remembered by many but he should be seen as a Welsh great, a player that lit up the Welsh amateur circuit and was able to crack the World Amateur Championship but not quite win the title.
