By Elliott West
Introduction
The year was 1995 and some of the top players of the time gathered for three days of snooker action at the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby, South-West Wales. An event where the players were Alison Fisher, Jimmy White, John Parrott, Willie Thorne, Terry Griffiths, Peter Ebdon, Mark Davis and Germany’s Dieter Johns. They were accompanied by the Northern Irish referee, Len Ganley and Master of Ceremonies, Alan Hughes.
This was an event that was won by Alison Fisher the previous year and raised £23,000 for charity. Made up of three days, this charity bonanza was made up of a combination of fun fundraising events and snooker. A formula that eased the players into the snooker proper.
All for Charity
Day One
The first of three evenings began with a fun night with the local South Pembrokeshire Snooker League doubles winners Steve Davies and Mike Dearden taking on Alison Fisher and Steve Davis. A challenge where the visitors were never really threatened by the challengers. A challenge where the audience was entertained by a combination of doubles, singles and speed snooker sessions followed by entertainment from a top Welsh comedian, the aptly named Owen Money.
Day Two
The second day began with a ‘SuperStars’ challenge which involved the snooker players and other sports and television celebrities, taking part in teams of four competing at the Heatherton Sports and Country Park in Tenby. This event meant the players exchanged their cues for bows and arrows, laser guns, pistols and golf clubs. All topped off with a hog roast in a local pub.
In the evening, John Parrott took on the South Pembrokeshire Singles champion, Steve Davies, not to be confused with Steve Davis to set the scene for this tournament. In the first round, Alison Fisher took on Germany’s Dieter Johns. Fisher took an 80-19 lead and then drilled in an excellent 107 break to finish the match with a 187-20 winner.
In the other first-round match between Mark Davis and John Parrott, Davis took the early lead, compiling breaks of 42 and 29 to take the first frame. The Liverpudlian struck back with a 38 break in frame two to move within six points of the young talent who celebrated his debut at the Embassy World Championship in Sheffield by beating Ken Doherty. In the third and final frame, Parrott showed his true class by compiling a superb 94 break to finish the match 221-133 ahead.
The fourth and final match of the evening saw Terry Griffiths play Jimmy White. A tournament that was close to Jimmy’s heart as he had supported this charity for the past three years. The first frame saw the Welshman entertaining the audience with quick-witted banter and a number of jokes and was he who was laughing loudest at the end of the first frame with a quality clearance of 113.
The second frame saw a determined Whirlwind chip a hole in Griffiths’ lead and produced a classic break of 102 to put him 35 points ahead going into a low scoring third frame. With only ten minutes left, White dissolved the Welshman’s lead, finishing off the match with a 57 break, definitely some of his best snooker of the night.
Day Three
Day three saw the start of two semi-finals with Alison Fisher up against the world No.10 Peter Ebdon. This was a match where a Fisher wasn’t prepared to give in to a player who is known for his comebacks. A battle where she was the better of the two players and finished victorious.
The second semi-final was a fast and furious affair with John Parrott up against Jimmy White. A match where five frames were quickly completed in the 40-minute session. White was ahead 72-53 after breaks of 38 and 30 but Parrott replied with breaks of 30 and 69 during the second frame, putting him ahead and going into frame three.
Jimmy, with breaks of 65 and 24, went seven points ahead but this wasn’t the whole story as John added breaks of 74 and 36 without reply. The sands of time were running out for White and despite a last roll of the dice, producing a 69 break, it was Parrott who earned the right to play Alison Fisher in the final.
However, in the end, it wasn’t going to be John’s moment as Alison’s form continued to produce results. Fisher took charge in the first frame of the final with superb breaks of 54 and 239, giving her a 98-26 lead, Parrott was only able to decrease the deficit by six points in the second frame. The world No.4 was clearly struggling, eventually ending up on the losing end of this match after Fisher racked up another 92 points, beating her opponent by 254-116.
Afterthoughts
Alison Fisher deserved this title and the magnificent glass trophy that accompanied it. Over £30,000 was raised for charity as a result of the tournament being staged that year and Fisher was able to retain the crown she had won the previous year. The charity monetary fund was boosted by Jimmy White auctioning off his own personal scoreboard. A board that was replaced by an antique one that was previously owned by Ken Hodgkinson, the tournament director. There were several other sporting collectables auctioned off including a rugby ball and shirt signed by Wigan League Club. Generous donations went to the National Children’s Home – Action for Children.
