L&L Property Contractors Snooker League doubles handicap title was decided in a thrilling final held at Whitehaven’s Rack Shack.
Workington Veterans Club A’s Kevin Basnett and Steve Garroway defeated United Club’s Andrew Mitchelhill and David Chapman 4-1 to lift the crown.
Receiving just four points start Mitchelhill and Chapman started the better of the two pairings as they moved into an early lead. This however didn’t deter the Vets A duo and with a Basnett break of 33 this proved to be enough to take the frame 68-31.
Frame two featured an early safety duel which saw Mitchelhill in amongst the balls and with three high value colours the United Club team forged ahead.
Another round of cautious play yielded yet another chance for the United Club paring and as Mitchelhill stepped in again the frame was soon decided at 68-20 for a 1-1 match score-line.
The next frame was again dominated by some fine tactical play but with Garroway getting into his stride, the Vets A cueist delivered the lion’s share of the early points total. Without hesitation the Vets A side then pressed home this advantage and with a 68-20 win they moved 2-1 ahead.
Frame four saw the balls land awkwardly after the initial exchanges but with a small contribution of 23 Garroway gave the Vets duo a handy lead.
Trying their best to drag themselves back into the frame both Mitchelhill and Chapman potted some good balls but as neither managed to capitalise Garroway and Basnett went 3-1 with a 61-30 victory.
In what turned out to be the final frame of the match Basnett produced an early break of 34 to pile the pressure on the United Club partnership.
As the frame moved on Basnett and Garroway maintained a large proportion of this lead but with one red left Mitchelhill and Chapman could still win.
A brilliant pot on the red saw Mitchelhill then take the black and after a series of fantastic pots he reached the pink.
Unfortunately landing on the side cushion the pink was to elude him only for Garroway to quickly pounce with a good shot on the penultimate ball followed by a superb pot on a tricky black to take the frame, match and title with a 50-49 win.
