A dramatic and high-quality seven-frame final in the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League Singles Handicap final saw United Club A’s Peter O’Hagan (+6 handicap) complete a stirring comeback to defeat Rack Shack’s Neil Dougherty (+43) 4-3 to be crowned champion.
In a match that swung back and forth, O’Hagan had to overcome a +37 point handicap start each frame, but rose to the challenge with some composed play to triumph in what is arguably the league’s most difficult title to win.
In frame one, Dougherty made a confident start, stringing together several small breaks to build on his handicap advantage and race into a 66-0 lead.
O’Hagan struggled to get into rhythm and found himself facing a mountain to climb. Dougherty continued his solid play and after potting the penultimate red and colour, O’Hagan conceded with the frame standing at 74-20 in favour of the Rack Shack cueist who now led 1-0.
Just like the opener frame two started with Dougherty making the early running and with steady scoring the Whitehaven potter moved into a 65-28 lead with four reds remaining.
However, O’Hagan struck back with three reds and high value colours, and with last six balls remaining the United A talisman was just five points behind at 65-60. In a nervy conclusion, Dougherty fouled on the pink at 70-69, gifting O’Hagan the chance to pot the penultimate ball and steal the frame 81-70 for 1-1.
Momentum now seemed to be with O’Hagan and in frame three the Workington marksman produced two excellent breaks in the 20’s to move into a 50-40 lead.
O’Hagan’s fluent potting and improved safety left Dougherty chasing the game, and despite the Rack Shack man closing the gap, O’Hagan extended his lead to 76-59 heading into the final six colours. A pair of classy pots on blue and pink eventually sealed a convincing 94-65 frame win pushing the six handicapper into a 2-1 lead.
Dougherty regrouped and resumed control in frame four, pulling away to a 72-10 lead. O’Hagan wasn’t done though, and capitalised on a few errors from Dougherty to claw his way back into the frame.
Still trailing by 32 points, O’Hagan potted a vital series of balls to give himself a chance for an improbable comeback. With a break of 18 the United A ace got close, but missed the final black, allowing Dougherty to pot it to tie the match at 2-2 with a 88-75 victory.
Another tight and tactical affair Dougherty scored early in frame five before O’Hagan responded with some clever play to reduce the handicap difference.
With the score tied at 73–73, the frame came down to a black-ball re-spot. After a tense safety exchange, Dougherty attempted a double, but missed, leaving O’Hagan a mid-range black which he calmly dispatched to win a thrilling frame 80-73 for a 3-2 advantage.
Both players started cautiously in frame six , but Dougherty eventually pulled ahead with some excellent safety and scoring to reach a commanding 72-23 lead.
O’Hagan, frozen out for much of the frame, saw some mistakes creep into his game as Dougherty held his nerve. Potting the final red the Rack Shack sharpshooter controlled the table well enough to see out the frame 75-31 and set up a seventh and deciding frame.
With the title on the line, O’Hagan produced his best snooker of the night.
After an early safety battle, the United Club cueist sprung into action with pressure busting quick fire breaks of 41 and 31 to surge into an 82-45 lead as just 35 points remained.
Dougherty attempted a desperate comeback, but another composed break of 20 from O’Hagan ended any hopes the Rack Shack potter may have had. The frame eventually ended 106-45 in O’Hagan’s favour, as the United A maestro sealed the match and title in the most convincing of styles.
