Pro9 - Europe's No.1 Pool Player Resource

Pro9.co.uk Exclusive Player Interview

Daryl Peach
www.eurotour.nu
www.mosconicup.com
www.worldpoolchampionship.com
www.jpparmentier.com

25 June 2007

Daryl Peach winning the EuroTour's 2007 German Open.
Photo used with permission from J.P. Parmentier.
Daryl Peach talks to Pro9.co.uk about the EuroTour and the Mosconi Cup

Daryl Peach started his pool career with a bang - a World Masters win and a rare win for Europe on the European Mosconi Cup team back in 1995 announced the arrival of a new force in European 9-ball!

Since then he has dominated every tour he has graced with his presence, the undisputed, most consistent pool talent Britain has ever produced.

Now, 12 years later, he's shooting better than ever, with his highest rankings ever on the BPPPA tour (No. 1), EuroTour (No.3), WPA (World No. 7), IPT (No. 17), and even No.1 on his own 8-Ball Tour too.

Now with his landmark win at the EuroTour's 2007 German Open, the tour's most prestigious event of the year, people are asking if he will be given the opportunity to represent Europe again at this year's Mosconi Cup?

Pro9.co.uk asked him all this and more...

Daryl Peach with the Guildford Open trophy.
Pro9.co.uk: Daryl, congratulations on your recent German Open EuroTour win, you've been trying for a while to nail a EuroTour, how does it feel when you finally achieve an ambition on that scale?

Daryl Peach: Well Dave, as you said I have been trying for a while, 3 years to be precise! I have achieved two 2nd places and two 3rd places before this win. I always felt that I was one of the most consistent players on the Eurotour not to have a win....I actually qualified to the final stages for 13 tournaments in a row, which as many players will know takes some doing. After this I had a poor result in Italy only finishing 65th!....but then bounced back with my first Eurotour win in Germany, a tournament where no one was absent and this made my win even more sweet....especially when I beat some very big names too.

Pro9.co.uk: Daryl, you've become a bit of a "mover and shaker" in the pool world with The Empire Pool Tour, I know everyone would like to know what the latest situation is with that? Will the EPT ever rise again? Even if it's just one off events to start with to build it back up again?

Daryl Peach: I don't know if mover and shaker is the right term Dave lol. Myself and Mark Segal (with help from Mark Mills) Started the Empire Pool Tour last year. We made it an 8ball tour so not to tread on anyones toes and it was a great success, but as the IPT started to wilt, so did the numbers for our events. This amongst other things made us put the EPT on hold, and now with the massive uproar with the members of the BPPPA we are waiting to see the outcome of this in order to see which direction we will take. There will absolutely be more events from the EPT, or, a combination of the EPT and other parties.

Daryl Peach at the start of his pool playing career.
Photo used with permission from Doug Gordon.
Pro9.co.uk: In all the years you've been playing, which have been the best tournaments you've ever played in, and why?

Daryl Peach: Without any doubt what so ever, the best event I have ever played in is the Mosconi Cup in 1995. This was one of the rare years when Europe actually won the event and I was lucky enough to be a part of that. I think the reason why this event is so special is because of the unity of the players and nations of Europe....normally we all play against each other but this event delivers an atmosphere and a pressure that cant be described by words.
With regards to regular, individual events, I have a few favourites. The IPT event held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas has to be up there, along with Matchroom sports World Masters, and World Championships.......all very different events but the organization and set up at each one ........ Second to none!

Pro9.co.uk: What do you think is the reason for your recent hot form?

Daryl Peach: I think its a combination of things really. Mainly practice, not really the amount of practice (even though I am practicing more these days) but more for the way I practice, and the reasons I practice. Add to this, Goals, Vision, Determination and a drive to reach my full potential as a pool player.

Daryl Peach with Kevin Trudeau.
Pro9.co.uk: What ambitions do you have for the future?

Daryl Peach: Well, for the last 2 years my main goal has been to get back into the European Mosconi Cup team. Last year I lost out to Imran Majid for the UK spot in the team, I think he definitely deserved it last year as he won a Eurotour event in Italy, along with other big performances throughout the year. This year however I feel that I have a genuine chance to be picked for the team....I finished 7th in the first IPT event, and a respectable 19th in the second IPT event. Out of my last 15 BPPPA events I have played in, I have won 7 of them, runner up in 2, and also a couple of 3rd place finishes. I have won the German Open Eurotour stop. Finished 2nd in the International Open in Parma, Italy. I won the London Stop of the EPT. I have topped the rankings of the BPPPA, and EPT, and have reached joint 2nd on the Eurotour rankings......and I am still in with a very strong chance of topping the Eurotour rankings after the Holland Stop in September (Mosconi cut off point)
Loads and loads of players are telling me that they think I should be in the team this year, but its not up to them at the end of the day. If I can keep up my great form that I am showing at the moment I could finish No.1 on the Eurotour rankings....This would take all the guess work away. But if this doesn't happen, I will have to continue giving my all at every event and hopefully the call will come.

......My other goals are to play to my full potential for once in the World Championships which I really feel that I have not done yet. Over the years I feel like I have played well in the groups then more like 30% of my true game in the KO stages. This year I am determined to have my best year, who knows how good it will eventually be, but one thing I do know is that I will be trying my butt off on EVERY shot that I play!

......To give my all in every event that I have the chance to play in, whether it is an invite event or an open event, large or small this doesn't matter, because over the last 18 months or so I have tried to treat every event as equal as possible and I don't intend to change this.

......To enjoy playing, even when things are not going my way I will try to keep smiling, whether its during or after a match loss.

......And to practice very hard, not for hours on end but solid, meaningful practice. This is what I feel has got me where I am more than anything else. I have my own routines/drills that I have invented myself, and that seems to help me.

Daryl Peach with another BPPPA trophy for his collection.

And now, some questions from the Pro9'ers!

NighthawkBlack: OK, how does he practice? Alone at the table doing drills or playing decent opponents? Does he play 14.1? What does he think of the game and what is his high run?

Daryl Peach: I practice alone all the time, I mainly try to practice my technique and I do play a lot of 14-1.....I like this game very much and I think its good practice to improve concentration. I have had many runs of 150 as this is the target I used to set for myself, I would then stop and do another drill. Then last year when I knew I would be playing in the European event I tried to see how many I could run, and my highest was 354.

RugRat: Who does he rank as England's No. 1 pool player? (If he jokes and says himself, then who does he consider 2nd?)

Daryl Peach: Well I will have to say myself (even though I don't like to lol) results don't lie. After myself, I truly believe that Darren Appleton stands above the rest, even though he hasn't actually WON events yet he is more consistent than any other UK player, and don't forget he has only been playing US pool for a short while!

DOOM: How good does Daryl think he is? How does he rate/compare himself to some of the most famous players? Reyes, Alcano, Feijen etc...?

Daryl Peach: Well, I have beaten all three players that you have mentioned here, and I have very good records against many other top players. I guess the difference between myself and these guys up to now is that they have played in many more events than I have.

Daryl Peach
RACKRUNNER21: How often does Daryl practise for how long and how many times a week?

Daryl Peach: I practice Monday to Friday when I am not at any events, for about 3 hours per day. I believe that 1 hours good, solid practice is worth 10 hours of sloppy practice!

expertfluke: Mr Peach, have you really got a heart of stone?

Daryl Peach: On the table maybe, but I would like to think that I am very approachable off the table, and I enjoy helping fellow players by giving advise etc.

Blackref: Who was your hardest opponent?

Daryl Peach: Steve Knight. Even though we had a very even record against each other, it was always a real battle either way. He was a top player and a top bloke!

Blackref: When you are 6-0 down not playing well the other player seems to be getting the run of the table. How do you boost yourself up to get back into the Game?

Daryl Peach: This depends on the reason why my opponent is 6-0 in front. If its because he is playing flawless I would just try not to force it and wait for my chance. If I am making silly mistakes then getting mad with myself often works for me.

expertfluke: Pool is a 90% mental game. Now you can play brilliant, do breaks and clear ups and barely miss a ball. But my question is 'How does Dazzler stop the bright lights of world class players effecting his game'?

Daryl Peach: Its all about concentrating on your own game and blocking out everything else. It's hard sometimes but it gets easier with experience and confidence.

expertfluke: I often hear the phrase just play the balls - but what about the voice in your head that's saying 'I'm playing so and so who is world class how I'm I supposed to beat them?'

Daryl Peach in action.
Daryl Peach: As I said above, you have to really concentrate on your own game.

expertfluke: So how do we get rid of the negative thoughts / pressure we all get when we play Daryl Peach for example?

Daryl Peach: I keep saying this but its the same as the previous answer, you really have to focus on what you are doing and believe in your own game and ability.

Devil:: What are the best events he has played in and which would he recommend to join and why?

Daryl Peach: IPT, and any Matchroom events...... Although these are tough to get into. I would encourage anyone to try the Eurotour.....very well organized, and a lot of excellent players to compete against which is always good for your game.

Devil: Does he think pool will ever reach the heights that snooker has with the media coverage and prize money?

Daryl Peach: Anything is possible, Matchroom has done a brilliant job over the past decade of presenting pool to the masses and each event gets better and better. I have also heard rumors that the IPT will be having a 2008 tour, although we will have to wait and see about that.

Ine: Daryl being a former snooker player, same as a lot of the UK players, What do you need to change in order to play such good pool?

Daryl Peach: The main thing you need to change is your mind set. I believe pool is a much more cut throat game than snooker, and the most unpredictable things can happen.....and usually do. You need to accept this before you can achieve anything in the pool world.

Daryl Peach winning the EuroTour's 2007 German Open.
Photo used with permission from J.P. Parmentier.

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