Workington Pool League staged its first-ever women’s singles championship and the final at JJ’s proved to be an exciting conclusion to what will now be an annual event.
In the group stages, which consisted of a one-frame shoot out Brianna Messenger got off to a flier by winning her first three matches to lead the group.
She was pegged back by Amanda Stamper and Sarah Dawkins, who also both won three matches but Messenger won the shoot out to retain her number 1 seeding.
As the contest proceeded to the knock-out best-of-three frames phase, top seed Messenger took on fourth seed Sam Hastings who won the first frame to take the lead.
Messenger took control of the next two frames and eventually seized her chances to proceed to the final 2-1.
In the other semi-final Stamper took on Dawkins and the match was tied after they each won a frame. In the decider it was Stamper who capitalised on Dawkins’ missed pots to proceed to the final 2-1 to face Messenger.
In the final, despite Messenger potting well she ran out of position and Stamper was able to take control to take the remaining reds and pot the black to lead.
In the second frame it was Stamper who initially attacked and ran out of position to which Messenger came fighting back. But she was unable to pot the black giving Stamper the chance to win which she duly delivered to take the final 2-0 and be crowned the first Women’s Singles Champion.
The Workington singles championship also took place and was played from the quarter finals.
Tony Elliot was looking to defend his title and after a tactical battle with Dan Long he prevailed 2-0. Elliot played Graeme Scott in the semi after Scott edged his quarter final match against Steven Cook 2-1.
In the other half of the draw Cumbria trophy winner Stephen O’Hagan overcame Aaron Garrity 2-0 and set up the semi final against 2019 singles winner Wayne King who had edged a close affair against Karl Newton 2-1.
In the semi-final Elliot continued his dominance as he beat Greame Scott 2-0. O’Hagan had to battle hard in the other semi to overcome Wayne King 2-1.
The final saw O’Hagan take the first frame against Elliot and then after a foul shot from Elliot, O’Hagan was able to take advantage and take a 2-0 lead.
Elliot halved the deficit with a clinical clearance but in the fourth frame it was O’Hagan who went on the attack and faced a difficult black to which he kept his composure to pot and win 3-1 to claim the championship.
