The Derwent Valley Asbestos Removal Individual Snooker League recently concluded with the end of season presentation night.
It also featured the Individual Handicap Knockout Final where defending champion, Kevin Basnett (Scr) and Stephen Jackson (+35) battled for the title.
With both players completing the group qualifying stage unbeaten and also progressing through their respective semi-finals without losing a frame, the stage was set for a compelling final.
The first frame started with an early tactical exchange, but it was Basnett who seized the first scoring opportunity to make inroads into the handicap deficit.
Jackson attempted to counter completing some good opening long pots, but was unable to secure position to take full advantage.
With the scores fairly even, Jackson’s long potting let him down as he looked to seize an opportunity from the last remaining red, leaving Basnett a straightforward chance to secure the first frame.
In the second, the first scoring opportunities once again fell to Basnett, who quickly reduced the handicap arrears with a couple of teen breaks.
Basnett was in no mood to present easy counter attacking chances to his opponent and he continued to keep Jackson at bay with some sound safety play.
Jackson was initially up to the challenge, but eventually Basnett was able to force an error, and constructed a 30 break to take a 2-0 lead.
During the third frame Jackson started to show some of the form that had enabled him to progress to the final, as both players exchanged points in the early stages.
However, a telling snooker from Basnett in the mid stages was to prove the defining moment. Jackson conceded a number of penalty points from the snooker, shifting the scoreboard in Basnett’s favour, which he maintained to move within one frame of retaining the title.
