Last year’s event between the Mid Sussex Billiards and Snooker League and East Grinstead ended in a draw and it looked it was going the same way until the Grins clinched the final two frames. Played at the Literary and Social Institute, East Grinstead, the evening commenced with three named doubles with the hosts winning two.
This followed with three drawn doubles, once again seeing the Grins taking two and going into a 4-2 lead, with ten singles to go all was at stake to win the Queens Road Trophy. The first eight frames saw the Middies winning five with Wayne Hamilton gaining a deserved scalp when he secured a black ball win over the highly talented Steve Crowley. Mark Bright was on top his game building a fluent 63 break to defeat James Williams with Lee Morley giving a dogged performance to beat the experienced Mick Tugwell. Callum Thomsett found himself way behind in his frame with Neil Lawrence, however, with two splendid snookers he gained valuable points following eight missed foul calls by referee Derek Budde, Thomsett held his nerve to pot the decisive pink and black balls. James Dew with a 48 break and a fine win over Cliff Pattenden brought it all level at 7-7 to leave it to Dennis O’ Rourke making his debut appearance and the popular Neil Smith to secure the vital frames.
Both Grins final two players were in top form with Les Waite defeating O’Rourke and Dale Barnes beating Neil Smith to give the hosts a 9-7 victory. Referees Budde, Amanda Taylor and Brian Giles commented on the high standard of play throughout the match. Named Doubles Wayne Hamilton, Neil Smith 47 Richard Kinnard, James Williams 72
Mark Bright, Martin Batchelor 62 Les Waite, Gary Purdue 37
James Dew, Mark Coles 10 Andy Carter, Cliff Pattenden 53 Drawn Doubles Lee Cannizarro, Lee Morley 35 Neil Lawrence, Mick Tugwell 79
Callum Thomsett, Neil Smith 47 Steve Crowley, Andy Carter 66
James Dew, Dennis O’Rourke 61 Les Waite, Dale Barnes 17 Singles Mark Coles 26 Andy Carter 73
Martin Batchelor 2 Richard Kinnard 67
Wayne Hamilton 43 Steve Crowley 41
Mark Bright 92 James Williams 0
Lee Morley 49 Mick Tugwell 38
Lee Cannizarro 18 Gary Purdue 68
Callum Thomsett 60 Neil Lawrence 58
James Dew 70 Cliff Pattenden 38
Dennis O’Rourke 22 Les Waite 73
Neil Smith 14 Dale Barnes 65
|
