A special annual competition remembers one of the most influential names in Cumbria’s involvement in the game of pool.
John Rushforth was a well-known and leading figure on the Cumbria pool circuit for many years, in charge of all the Cumbria pool teams, ran major hotel tournaments and was instrumental in bringing young talent through.
He led the Cumbria Pool team to major titles and had many, many successes with the teams he ran.
His twin sons John and Tony were two of the best players in the county, with Tony winning county titles, along with Neil Armstrong who was Fatha John’s grandson.
The Fatha John Tournament is held annually in his memory, and it is an invite-only competition hosted and started by Richard Kirkham, involving players who knew John well and played under his guidance who are invited each year to play.
Sixteen players took part this time with last year’s winner James Jackson losing to Kevin Kirkham 8-3 in the first round this time.
Alan McLeod won 8-4 against Tom Wren snr; Rob Sim beat Mark Thompson 8-5; David Thompson claimed a 8-7 win against Paul Vickers in a very close game; Allan Stephenson won comfortably 8-1 against Mark Tunstall; Dennis Horan beat Tom Wren jnr 8-3; Steve O’Hagan won a tactical match 8-5 versus Billy Read and Carl Ennis beat Shaun Ayre 8-5.
In the quarter finals Sim made light work of his match with O’Hagan, winning 8-1 while Ennis also won easily 8-1 against Stephenson 8-1. Thompson then defeated Kirkham 8-2 and in the last quarter final McLeod saw-off Horan 8-4.
In the semi finals Sim beat McLeod 9-7 in a high quality match while Thompson came out the winner 9-4 against Ennis.
The final was decided over best of seven frames and both players produced some excellent pool on the day.
Eventually, after a high standard final, Thompson took the crown with a 4-2 win.
