The curtain has come down on the Carlisle and District snooker and billiards league season.
The climax in both disciplines came from the finals of the snooker merit and the billiards merit tournament.
With both matches being played on the presentation night, and a first prize of £75 up for grabs, it was a huge night for the finalists. A healthy crowd of 54 people watched the matches on Ron’s table at Qzone.
Before the finals could take place, there was one outstanding billiards semi-final to play, which kicked off earlier in the evening.
In a tense affair, Ex B’s Mark “Titch” Beattie got over the line with a fine display, keeping his nerve in impressive fashion to get over the line with a classy finish.
Beattie’s reward was a game in the final with Buffs A number one Brian Sloan, the form man of the qualifying night.
A counter-punching game, reminiscent in style to a boxing match, with a constant stream of double figures breaks had Sloan closing the gap, only for Beattie to restore it in the very next visit.
Eventually Beattie was left a chance when on 88, and duly knocked in a 13 break to take the title and the prize money. Congratulations Titch.
After the billiards trophies were presented, the snooker merit got underway between 100 per cent man Giles Finneghan of Qzone, and his Rock counterpart Paul Cowing, both fresh from amazing runs on the qualifying night.
In a high quality, but very safety orientated start to the frame, both players were looking relaxed and confident.
Finneghan established a 13 lead going into the final seven reds, and Cowing hit his break building stride, and excellent effort of 38 only stopped by Cowing narrowly missing the cannon on the final couple of reds.
After another safety exchange, Cowing knocked in a long ball and followed it up with some classy pots to seal the title and the prize money. Well done Paul.
The committee would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the league, everyone who turned up to watch the semi-finals, finals and turned up to the presentation.
There were special thanks to Martyn Gowing at Qzone for his generous letting of the tables, and all of the League sponsors – Treewise Solutions, Snookerlife, Woodpecker Kitchens, and H&H Reeds.
The new billiards season kicks off on Tuesday August 1.
