L&L Property Contractors Snooker League’s Maryport Social claimed the 2025 Team Knockout Plate Handicap Trophy after edging past Workington Cons 4-2 in a gripping final, hosted at Workington Veterans Club.
In frame one Ben Scott (+38 handicap) opened strongly for Maryport Social, building a solid 51-18 lead over Julian Plaza (+21).
Plaza began to claw back into the game with a fine red-black combination, pulling the frame to within just a few points.
However, Scott held his nerve and secured the frame 74-43 to give Social the early advantage.
Cons stalwart Alan Moore (+13) levelled the tie in the second with a composed performance against Greg Todd (+48).
Despite a scrappy start, Moore produced two breaks in the teens to build a commanding 65-41 lead. Todd responded with a late rally, narrowing the deficit, but Moore cleared brown to pink to take the frame 92-61.
In the first of the doubles frames, Moore returned to the table alongside Brian Kendall (+32), facing Andrew Scott and Gary Miller (+33).
Scott impressed early with a break of 32 which was ended with an unfortunate in-off.
Nevertheless the Cons pair fought back, eventually taking control on the colours with Moore sealing the win on the pink in a 63-48 triumph putting Cons 2-1 up.
Maryport Social bounced back in frame four through Ben Scott and Andrew Sharp (+35), who made the most of a scrappy frame with some brilliant tactical play to control the game. Despite a low-scoring frame overall, Social’s discipline saw them edge it 61-23 to square the match at 2-2.
Back to the singles and Andrew Sharp (+32) returned to face Ryan Barker (+31) in what turned out to be another cagey affair.
Sharp got in first and built a steady 27-4 lead as Barker struggled to find rhythm. Missed chances from Barker allowed Sharp to steadily pick off the remaining reds and colours, and in taking the frame 59-19 the Social cueist put his team one frame away from victory at 3-2.
Dave Holland (+21) was called upon to keep Cons alive against the in-form Andrew Scott (+31) in frame six.
As Scott continued his fine potting he took an early lead, but Holland fought back superbly with an 18 break, levelling at 39-39 with just the colours left on the table.
Holland inched ahead, needing pink for the frame, but Scott produced a stunning pink and black to win 54-51 to clinch frame, match and title culminating in a 4-2 win for the Social outfit.
