Imran Majid lifted his second trophy in two Tour Stops at the GB9 Southern Masters, edging out Scotland's young hot shot, Jayson Shaw, by eleven racks to nine in the final at the Barcelo Daventry Hotel, Northamptonshire. The match looked for all the world to be going to a hill-hill deciding rack until Shaw left too much of a pocket available for 'The Maharaja' to make a long 7 ball, the remaining two balls and the lion's share of the £6000 prize fund. “Jayson is a great cueist so I couldn't try and out-pot him because he probably would have won, I had to grind a few racks out. This win really shows I'm back!” Majid's victory in Daventry gave him his first British Main Event title since July 2008, the last title in his famous run of four consecutive tournament wins.
Despite a host of notable names being absent from the list owing to the China Open clashing with the Tour Stop, Majid overcame stern opposition throughout the day. Adam Benn Smith came closest, managing to take seven racks in their race-to-9 quarter-final clash, a careless scratch on a 7 Ball at the midway stage perhaps being the turning point for the Sunderland based star. Pro Cup finalist, Raj Hundal could only manage three racks in his semi-final encounter with his former sparring partner Majid. 9-6 and 9-3 wins over Matthew Ford and Andy Appleton in the earlier rounds put Majid on the path to success.
Jayson Shaw's quest to become the first non-English winner of a GB9 Main Event may have fell at the final hurdle but he may well have a case to curse his luck. Although his breaks were complying to the '3-point rule' that is in place at all GB9 tournaments, 'The Wizard' seldom landed with shape on the lowest numbered ball during the day. Given this fact, the young Scot, a 9th place finisher at this year's World Pool Masters, can take pleasure in his composure and patience, leading to wins over Mark Hopgood 9 – 0; Jonny Cooper 9-2; Pro Cup winner 9-5 and in the semi-final, a thrilling comeback against 'Granite' Mark Gray rewarded him with a 9-8 victory.
The remaining 9th place finishers in Daventry were, Kevin Uzzell; Jason Howard; Stephen Capaldi; Glenn Cooney; James Kay and promising English 8 Ball convert, Jack Whelan. European number 9 Craig 'The Shotgun' Osborne and Challenge Cup record-breaker, Shane Appleton both left with 5th place standings.
One event remains of the GB 9 Ball Tour's third season; The GB9 Northern Masters at the Barcelo Blackpool Imperial Hotel over the weekend of Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November.
GB9 is proudly sponsored by Barcelo Hotels, SAM Leisure, Simonis Cloth, Aramith Billard Balls and Mezz Cues; making the perfect combination of the very best equipment in the most outstanding venues.
