Darkside Promotions Debut Event “Gunfight at OK Corral” a Smash!

When you think “challenge match” what kind of setting comes to mind?  Most likely a dingy pool hall, pub, or at best a convention center in a casino, right?

Well in the UK, pool is stepping its game, with the help of Darkside Promotions. Darkside, headed by Gareth Esprit, recently held it’s first challenge match event called “Gunfight at OK Corral” in Leicester, England.

This was a groundbreaking event not only because of the caliber of the players and the prize fund, but because it was held at the premier Club 147, a modern, upscale pool & snooker club, which also features authentic Indian food and a high-end sports bar.  

A veritable “who’s who” list of British 9-ball players showed great performances at this event, including Mark Gray, Phil Burford, Craig Dixon, Jason Howard, Andy Appleton, Luke Rollison, Ben Moore, and Lewis Clarke, all players on the GB9ball Tour.  Also in attendance were Britain’s #1-ranked Imran Majid and “The Irish Invader” Karen Corr.

“Gunfight at OK Corral” was tremendously well-received by players and fans, and Darkside’s next event, “Wanted: Dead or Alive” is already in the works and set for November 7.

Check out the results from the event and photos courtesy of Cuesport.tv… Maybe it’s time for a trip across the pond to stir up some action?

Saturday 8th August 2009, was the premiere event for Darkside Promotions hosted at the exclusive and chic Club 147 in Leicester. Considering this was just the first event of many more to come for DP, it was a great success and a huge step forward for UK American pool.

Firstly a big thanks !

Firstly, Darkside Promotions would like to thank Ash, Ram, and all of the staff at Club 147 for a superb show of hospitality, and warm, welcoming nature.

The tables and setting were second to none and a big shout out must go to Tony Weafer for his help in bringing the tables to a standard that offered great, consistent playing conditions. Also, thanks to Paul Morgan who also helped out in this department.

A very big thanks to Jason Lawrence and McDermott Handcrafted custom cues who was able to supply us with the cue for the raffle and speed break competition and offer guidance to any players interested in their products. Also, thanks to Jason for helping to organise some other behind the scenes tasks too!

NOTE: you can also read Jason’s own Press Release for ‘Gunfight at O.K. Corral’ by clicking on the link HERE!

ALSO, big thanks to the following…

Steve ‘Still rollin’ Folan - Master of ceremonies

Andy ‘Cue Doctor’ Nicholson - Special match commentator

Imran Majid - Darkside Promotions resident PRO offering help/support to players and also special challenge matches

Mark Hughes - Keeping everything in check and smooth running

CueSport.tv - Live stream and promotion of event

nycgrind.com - Promotion of event

pro9.co.uk - Promotion of event

All other guests in attendance including some very familiar faces, such as Karen Corr, Richard Jones and Tommy Donlan

Scheduled Match Results

ANDY APPLETON beat LEWIS CLARKE 21 - 17 - Nine Ball

BEN MOORE beat LUKE ROLLISON 21 - 4 - Nine Ball

JASON HOWARD beat CRAIG DIXON 30 - 29 - Nine Ball

MARK GRAY beat PHIL BURFORD 30 - 19 - Ten Ball

Big Congratulations to all players on their wins! There was a great display of high quality pool on show.

Winner of Speed Break competition and results - Prize McDermott ‘Assasin’ break/jump cue

The speed break competition was a great success with numerous players all coming to try their arm and see how fast they could break. Players were allowed 3 breaks with their speed being recorded in KPH and then their Average speed being taken and converted into MPH.

PHIL BURFORD was the eventual winner with an impressive average of 24.64 mph and that was after he weakend his last break from the 3 too! 

Johnny Cooper’s break also show great potential to challenge Phil along with some other big hitters.

If you think you have what it takes to knock Phil off the top spot why not chance your arm at the next DP event.

Player comments and feedback from event

‘Well done Gareth you did a superb job, and your team were first class too very professional, also well done Tony the tables were first class,also thanx to club owners who made us feel very welcome a beautiful venue, perfect match venue big well done to all involved.’

‘Thanks to Darkside and Club 147 for putting together a great days entertainment.’

‘Credit where credit’s due…Darkside ran a pretty slick event yesterday; the venue, the team, the format, the tables (*nod to Paul and Tony)…it really was nigh on perfect. Well done everyone.’

‘Just wanted to say well done to all the players sat night. Great venue, great people, great tables, great beer and great food. All-in-all a great night and i would say a success for Darkside Promotions.’

‘Venue,very spacious and ample staff who all very friendly and helpful and a curry house tucked away in the corner. brilliant!  In a nutshell, Darkside Promotions put on a good show.’

‘To say Gareth put this event on in just about 4-5 weeks and got it just about right is excellent work by him and his team. WELL DONE!’

‘Awesome, a phenomenal event. What a turnout! The touches of things, the whole set up & the way it was run was & looked very professional as if it was live on Sky Sports. What a great club the 147 is with a modern look & layout. The conditions of tables etc In the event were top class! Look forward to the next and future events of what’s to come from Darkside Promotions.’

‘Club was certainly one of the best I’ve ever been to, very spacious, modern, and different class food.  Gareth has got a great thing going on here, and all the players that play in future events will enjoy it…’

Photos taken from ‘Gunfight at O.K. Corral’

 

 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CUESPORT.TV

More exclusive Darkside Promotions events coming soon…