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that's crap...
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later stages were increased but earlier matches were always minimum best of 9's

'matches from the first round onwards were made best of 15. Prelims were kept best of 9

Prelims
Steve Aldridge 5 Gary Swettenham 4
Cliff Mills 5 Keely Clarke 0

Quarter Finals
Steve Aldridge 8 Mark Miller 7
Kyle Pickett 8 Tom Telford 2
Hugh Telford 8 Cliff Mills 5
Roger Simpson 8 Vennie Goldbourne 3

Semi Finals
Kyle Pickett 8 Steve Aldridge 5
Hugh Telford 8 Roger Simpson 3

Final
Hugh Telford 5 Kyle Pickett 8'


and i know for a fact they were minimum best of 9s the year before when the event started!