The team KO final in the Carlisle Snooker League, sponsored by Woodpecker Kitchens and Bathrooms, was between SECC A and reigning champions The Rock.
SECC received a 50pt head start over the five frames for the evening but it didn’t prove enough as The Rock retained the trophy.
In the opening frame, Mark Ballantyne for The Rock kept Mick Miller at arm’s length for much of the frame but after potting the blue and pink Mick had hopes of getting through with the minimum deficit.
However, a half ball black came back off the far corner of the middle pocket to leave an easy finish for Mark and it finished 52-37 to the Rock.
Frame two saw Paul Cowing for The Rock build a 30+ lead against John Yeomans before John knocked in a nice 21 to make the colours crucial. However, Paul took all the high value colours to run out a 63-34 winner.
Both players struggled in the third frame between Phil Wall for the South End Club and Mally Lancaster, until the latter burst into life with the highest break of the night of 41.
It made all the difference as he ran out a 64-20 winner to put the Rock 38 ahead on the handicap.
The fourth frame of the night was a tight affair between Martin Goodhead for SECC and Lawrence Swan. It was ignited mid-frame when Martin ran in a controlled 25 only to be followed by an equally well-crafted 19 by Swanny to restore his lead.
Martin was only able to pot the yellow and black of the final colours and lost 52-57.
So, going into the final frame, Alan Trotter had a mountain to climb against Steve Little with a 43pt deficit.
Steve’s relentless scoring, highlighted by some tremendous, long pots took the match too far away from Southend and he accepted defeat as they came to the colours.
It finished 37-10 to Steve and a match score of 273-203 to the Rock, who retained the trophy.
