L&L Property Contractors Snooker League Division One side, Workington Veterans Club produced a ruthless and clinical performance to book their place in the Top Four Play-off final.
They whitewashed league runners-up United Club A 4–0 in a one-sided semi-final clash.
The tie got underway with Clive Lister facing Kevin Basnett, and it was the experienced Vets man who immediately stamped his authority on proceedings.
Basnett was in amongst the balls almost immediately and with a break of 55 he controlled the frame eventually pulling away to secure an 80–17 victory and give the visitors an early advantage.
In frame two, Dave Chapman took on Mark Tunstall, and despite Chapman’s efforts to stay competitive, Tunstall punished the key chances and produced a composed display to secure a 58–18 win and double the Vets lead.
The third frame saw doubles pairing of Andrew Mitchelhill and Mark Suitor up against Basnett and Tunstall. The Vets duo combined superbly, showing excellent control and teamwork to command an early advantage.
Carrying this momentum through the Vets partnership grafted their way to a 64–33 victory and a 3-0 match lead.
Needing just one frame for victory the Veterans still had a tough task as Mark Tatton and Paul Smith faced United A’s Dave Chapman and Darryl Walters.
A tight contest started in favour of the Vets pairing but as Chapman and Walters bounced back the frame was in the balance.
With just three balls remaining Tatton was faced with an extremely difficult clearance but with three pots that would have graced the very biggest stage, the Vets paring won 48–46 to seal an emphatic 4–0 semi-final win.
The other Division One Top Four Play-off semi-final saw champions Station Road Club awarded a walkover over Workington Conservative Club due to unforeseen circumstances.
The final against Workington Veterans Club will take place on Wednesday April 22 in the United Club.
In the first of the Division Two Top Four Play-off semi-finals, champions Workington Golf Club moved through to the final with a hard-fought 4–2 victory from 2-0 down against United Club B.
The visitors struck first as Shane Tallentire edged past the Golf Club’s Phil Sorfleet taking the opener 59–22 to settle any early nerves.
United B capitalised immediately in frame two, with Stephen Jackson claiming a narrow 52–25 win over Mark Cowan to move 2-0 up.
Frame three was the point at which the Golf Club side kicked into life as Cowan and Lewis Tilley combined well to defeat Jackson and Andrew Carter 48–24 pulling it back to 2-1.
The Golf Club pairing of Mark Carruthers and Bryan Walker produced a dominant display in frame four, overwhelming Tallentire and Adam Sowden 53–2 to put the Division Two league champions on level terms at 2-2.
In the next Simon Frazer proved too strong for United B’s Stephen Harrison, producing a composed 68–38 victory to move Golf Club to the brink at 3-2 in front.
United B’s Andrew Carter played some of his best snooker in the sixth, but could not stop Lewis Tilley from recording a 53–43 victory to take the Golf Club into a final that gives them a shot at the double.
In the other Division 2 Top Four Play-off semi-final, Whitehaven’s Rack Shack overcame an early setback to secure a strong 4–1 victory over Maryport Social and book their place in next week’s final.
The visitors struck first in impressive fashion as Ryan Ismay produced an excellent opening frame against Lee Dougherty, compiling a superb break of 34 on his way to a well-earned 71–18 victory to put Maryport ahead.
The Rack Shack responded immediately in frame two, with Neil Dougherty producing a confident display to defeat Stuart Shepherd 60–33 and level the match at 1-1.
The momentum continued in favour of the home side in the first doubles frame as Neil Dougherty and Chris McKelvey delivered a stand-out performance against Ismay and Shepherd with Dougherty crafting a break of 32 in a commanding 72–7 win to move 2–1 ahead.
The Rack Shack then extended their lead in frame four in the second doubles encounter, where Adam Morilla and Phil Denver combined effectively to overcome Ben Scott and Andrew Sharp to secure a 73–47 victory and move to the brink of victory at 3-1.
The home side sealed the match win in frame five with Denvir returning to the table, producing a clinical display to defeat Maryport’s Sharp 58–16 and complete a 4–1 semi-final triumph.
Top 4 Play-off finals
- Division 1: Workington’s Station Road Club vs Workington Veterans Club
- Division 2: Workington Golf Club vs Whitehaven’s Rack Shack
