Workington Golf Club A’s Ryan Ismay is the new L&L Property Contractors Snooker League Singles Handicap champion on the back of a thrilling 4-3 final victory over Flimby’s Social’s Kevin Kirkham.
The final, hosted by Workington Veterans Club, had many twists and turns but in producing his best form towards the end of the match Ismay plotted his way to a first singles title in the league’s most difficult competition to win.
The first frame saw Kirkham (+5 handicap) in first and by cancelling out the handicap the Social player crafted a small lead.
Slowly chipping away Ismay (+5) dragged himself back into the frame as all the hard work he has put in throughout the season started to show. A safety exchange ensued, but in taking the balls he required the Golf A cueist took the frame 72-43 for a 1-0 match lead.
In the next Kirkham put the disappointment of the previous frame quickly out of his mind and with a 43 break from mainly reds and pinks the Flimby flyer grabbed an important lead. A few shots later and Kirkham may have only taken two reds and colours but with the lead now significant it proved to be enough to level the match score at 1-1 with a 65-37 victory.
Frame three started with Ismay taking four reds with blues to add to his handicap advantage in confident style. Still with a chance to win Kirkham eventually replied and in potting the three remaining reds with colours he closed the gap.
This however all proved to be in vein as Ismay picked off the last six colours one by one to take the frame 64-32 for a 2-1 lead.
After a short interval Ismay came back looking determined to extend his match advantage and with some fine potting he took a 40 point lead with just four reds remaining.
This lead, however, did nothing to faze Kirkham and with a break of 29 to the brown the former county snooker champion was well and truly back in the frame.
The brown went down after a short safety exchange but Kirkham still needed the last three colours. A good pot on the blue followed by pink and black and it was Kirkham who nicked the frame 57-46 to deliver match parity at 2-2.
As the fifth frame begun it was clear that both players still fancied the job with the pots flying in. A break of 30 by Ismay countered with 37 from Kirkham and the frame was in the balance.
As the colours remained Kirkham seemed to stay in front just enough to keep the pressure on, and as the last two balls were deposited it was the Flimby sharpshooter who took the frame 62-51 for an important 3-2 match lead.
Frame six proved to be the quickest of the match as Ismay came flying out of the blocks. Breaks of 32 and 24 added to his 10-point handicap advantage and the Golf A player held a substantial lead. Even though Kirkham tried hard to pull off what would have been a remarkable comeback the Social talisman had to hand it to Ismay as the Golf A player ensured the match went the distance with a 72-13 frame victory.
The decider started as the last frame ended with Ismay cueing nicely. In again, and even though he only managed 23, Ismay was on top.
Kirkham isn’t a player who gives in easily and in typically determined fashion he fought hard to reduce the deficit. This persistence didn’t seem to dent Ismay’s confidence however and with another small contribution, that saw four reds and colours disappear, the Golf A cueist’s lead was restored.
Some trading went on with just the colours left but by now Kirkham needed snookers and despite some excellent attempts Ismay potted the balls he required to take frame, match and title with a 64-26 win.
