JJ’s B secured the Universal Tanker Solutions Handicap Knockout Cup with a final frame decider against Harrington Legion A.
They had gone into the final wanting to put last season’s Cup final defeat behind them and they started off positively as Dan Long took the first frame, which was followed up by his team mates Paul Vickers and Lee Sandwith to lead 3-0.
Graeme Scott and John Burns replied for the Legion but Kevin Kirkham ensured JJ’s B went into the doubles 4-2 ahead.
They did secure the first double but the League winners weren’t about to give up as they secured the second and third doubles frames to cut the deficit to 5-4.
In a race to seven to claim the title it was the Legion’s Burns’ second frame win, along with Alan McLeod, who turned the tide to lead 6-5 and needing one more frame.
Sandwith dug deep in the 12th frame and made a great clearance to level the match and set up a final frame decider.
Current open singles champion Kirkham stepped up for JJ’s B and under pressure took out a break clearance to give them a 7-6 victory and they lifted the knockout cup.
In the Universal Tanker Solutions Handicap Plate, Pack Horse A took on the Miners.
With the Miners getting a one frame head start they took full advantage as Paul Skipsy and Ashley Hudson produced great clearances to give the Miners a 3-1 lead.
It looked like it was going to be 4-1 when Michael Tuke sent the black ball round the angles but the ball hovered over the pocket to give Karl Newton a tough clearance which he duly delivered with some mid-range shots to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Lewis Tilley edged a tactical frame to level for Pack Horse but the initial singles concluded with Adrian Ross taking advantage of a foul and the Miners went ahead 4-3.
In the doubles the Pack Horse made two composed clearances to lead 5-4 but Hudson cut back a tough yellow for Tuke to smash in a superb double to level the game 5-5.
First to seven frames was the target and Pack Horse’s Carl Ennis waited for his chance with some controlled safety play that eventually paid off as he dispatched a tough cut shot to set up an easy clearance and 6-5 lead.
In the 12th frame Simon Fraser was looking to finish the match off with some attacking play. Fraser got himself onto the black but had a tough shot along the cushion which rattled in the pocket.
It gave Skipsy an opportunity to level for the Miners but despite some excellent pots he missed a tough final yellow to allow Fraser the easiest of pots which he secured to win the Plate for Packhorse A at 7-5.
