Birley Clinches 6th Premier title in style
David Birley proudly holds the Premier trophy.
This final was truly a fitting climax to the season, with both players delivering a match worthy of the occasion. David Birley and Jim Harrison met in their third Premier title showdown, with the head-to-head standing at one win apiece. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and both men rose to the challenge magnificently.
Birley, the dominant figure in this competition over the past decade, was aiming to secure a record-equalling sixth title. Harrison, meanwhile, was in pursuit of his second crown – and eager to make his mark.
David picked up right where he left off on Tuesday after winning the Harry Anderson title, opening with a composed 37 break to take a 1–0 lead. But Jim responded with confidence and , claiming the next two frames with some exceptional long potting – clearly up for the battle.
Birley hit back to level at 2–2 by taking the fourth frame, but it was the fifth that truly ignited the contest. Harrison produced a strong 47 break and looked set for a significant clearance, only to miss a relatively straightforward red. Birley seized the opportunity, mounting a superb counterattack. However, just as he seemed poised for a clearance, potting the pink off the final red left him awkwardly snookered on the yellow. Another twist in a gripping contest.
After a tense exchange of safety shots, the scores were locked at 61 apiece. Harrison then held his nerve to pot pink and black, edging ahead 3–2 and moving within one frame of the title.
But as great champions often do, Birley responded in style. What followed was a breath-taking 120 clearance – not only drawing the match level but also securing the highest break of the Premier competition, surpassing Steve Donner’s earlier 109. This effort also set a new league record, with eight centuries recorded across all competitions in a single season and also marking Dave’s 10th Chesterfield & District century– a remarkable feat.
With everything on the line, the final frame didn’t disappoint. Harrison had the early chances but couldn’t reproduce the long potting brilliance shown earlier in the match. Birley, ever the opportunist, stepped in decisively. Just as he had opened the match with a 37 break, he closed it with another – sealing a dramatic victory and matching the record of six Premier titles held by Mike Watterson and Martin Finnigan.
As noted at the close of play, it was a shame there had to be a loser. Both players can be immensely proud of the high-quality snooker they produced and the thrilling entertainment they provided. One suspects we haven’t seen the last of this compelling rivalry.
Congratulations to David Birley – a superb achievement and a richly deserved triumph!
“It was a very close game and could easily have gone the other way! I set off ok in frame 1, struggled in frame 2 & 3 then made a 120 clearance. What a crazy game snooker is! ”
David Birley & James Harrison.
Score Card
David Birley (4-3) Jim Harrison
(37) break 69-16
27-70
46-52
60-25
(47) break 61-74 (47) break
(120) break 120-6
(37) break 65-2
Referee: Stuart Wheatley
Venue: Alfreton SC
Route to the final
David Jim
SF: Bt Ian Rose 3-1 Bt Guy Dennis 3-2
QF: Bt Kieron Stevenson 3-2 Bt Adam Cupit 3-2
L16: Bt Jason Rimington 3-0 Bt Rob Mullis 3-1
L32: Bt Mark Hodgkinson 3-2 Bt Ben Buckley 3-0
L64: Bt Alan Crownshaw 3-0 Bt Adam West 3-1
Competition Highest Beak: David Birley (120)
David receiving the trophy from sponsor Glen Shawcroft
Proudly sponsors the Premier competition
Previous winners:
2024: David Birley
2023: David Birley
2022: Rich England
2021: Not Contested (Covid)
2020: Jason Rimington
2019: David Birley
2018: David Birley
2017: David Birley
2016: James Harrison
Proudly sponsors the Century Club
Top 5 century list:
Ash Walker x12
Nigel Bond x 11
David Birley x10
Lee Spick x8
Luke Fisher x8
Martin Finnigan x7