Andrew's idea of offering prize money to Championship, Intermediate and Beginners was a great idea and one which will be carried through to the British Open 2001 when Andrew, through his company, Megacom, will become the official sponsors. We might have to adjust the criteria for the divisions a little but on the whole it proved to be a very popular innovation.

In February, 1990, Biba's first ever tournament (under a cloud of pending persecution) took place in Nottingham. Thirty four players battled it out until one remained victorious, Bob Parmley. In March, 1998, at snow-locked Dunblane in Scotland the first Scottish Open was played, there, a young, flamboyant Scot, playing in his first Biba tournament went home, beaming, with Runner-up in the Consolation - John Slattery had arrived!

Now, July 2000, they both sat down in the 'televised and recorded' final to battle it out for the Andrew Sarjeant Trophy. It was a struggle, a battle of wits and guile. Bob led, John led, Bob led . . .and so it went on until the score went to 10-7 to Bob, Crawford. Could Bob win a second tournament after a ten year gap; or would John pull through the Crawford and then go on to beat him?

John managed a crucial gammon in the Crawford by rolling timely double fours and the score moved to 10-9. Bob took an early double in the next game and we were playing DMP (double match point). Again the game swung back and forth until we eventually arrived at this position in the bearoff.

11 Point Match White 10 Black 9 DMP. White on roll

With Bob (white) to play, the play continued thus:

Bob rolled 44 and took off four men, suddenly John slipped from being a slight favourite to definite underdog. John rolled 54 and took two men off - still well out of it. Bob replied with 52 and took another two men off. John rolled a devastating 51 and played 5/0 5/4. Bob rolled 64 and was left with one man. John shook his dice vigorously and rolled onto the floor! His second attempt was more successful, double fours! Once again, the fours had come to his rescue (however, for most of the match they had played badly for him) and he won his first ever tournament. You should have heard the crowd cheer - in fact you can as it's all been captured on video!

Main Winner, John Slattery receives his Championship Division £100 prize money.

So, it was John Slattery, tournament winner and Championship Division winner; Bob Parmley, Runner-up and Intermediate Division winner. Miranda Moore, playing off a ranking score of 1357 was the Beginner Division winner.

Consolation (43)
Entering from the Main 1st Round, Steve Pickard fought his way to the final to face Tim Cross who entered via the progressive side. This was Steve's second Consolation final, his first being the 1998 British Open - in which he lost to Dave McNair; and it was Tim's second, his first being the 1992 British Open where he lost to Paul Turnbull. So, this time one of them was guaranteed a win . . . unfortunately for Steve, it was Tim's turn.

Graham Brittain and John Clark were the losing semi-finalists.

David Fall, Last Chance Winner.

Last Chance (32) Unable to sustain his current spate of 11-point wins, Jeff Barber almost made the finals of the Last Chance being stopped by finalist Dave Gallagher in the semis. David Fall, taking advantage of a first round bye took full advantage and pressed home for a victory, leaving himself as the winner with Dave Gallagher the Runner-up. Sad Losers! (32) Far from being 'sad losers', finalists John Clark and Stavros Elia had both 'qualified' after being knocked out in the last four and last eight respectively of the Consolation, and each were happy to be in the final with a chance to take home a winner's trophy. John was the happiest being the winner with Stavros being a little less happy with Runner-up.

Friday Knockout (16)
Not a bad turnout for a small Main entry. David Nathan (Friday KO winner April 1999) sat down to face Keith Robertson in the final match from which Keith emerged victorious.

Doubles (15 teams)
I was unable to enter this one - I wasn't feeling too well at dinner and so went back to my room, climbed into bed and awoke at 8am the following morning after it was all over!

I missed seeing such teams as new entries 'Tinker & Bell', 'Bert & Barney' and 'Mermaid Marvels'; not to mention having any idea at all as to their real identities. However, I do know that my 'other half' playing with a 'substitute' as the 'Teddy Subbies' lost in the final to 'Wright & Righter'. Knowing I might have cashed in in the competition made me fell ill all over again.

Click here for the Andrew Sarjeant Trophy quick results.

Click here to download the final game transcript.

I'd like to thank Andrew for his generous sponsorship and Charlotte for handing out the prizes (I wasn't looking forward to kissing John Slattery - last time I did that he put his tongue down my throat). If anyone would like to sponsor a tournament next year the July one is up for grabs.

• To see the latest statistics regarding Biba tournaments click here.