Station Road held their nerve in a gripping L&L Property Contractors Snooker League Division One Top Four Play-off Final, edging Workington Veterans Club 4–3 in a fiercely contested encounter.
It went all the way to the last few balls, completing a superb league championship double in the process for the Station Road team.
The Vets Club made the stronger start, as Kevin Basnett struck early against Tom Thompson, compiling an excellent 45 break which ultimately proved decisive. Basnett’s early scoring burst allowed him to control proceedings and close out a convincing 62–16 victory, handing the Veterans a 1–0 lead.
Station Road responded emphatically in frame two, with Chris Hunter making the most of the chances on offer against Mark Tunstall. Hunter punished every opportunity with clinical scoring to secure a dominant 75–32 win, levelling the match at 1–1.
The first doubles frame saw the Veterans regain the initiative, as their duo led by Kevin Basnett combined effectively against Kevin Kirkham and Chris Hunter.
Basnett once again made the most of the scoring opportunities, helping steer his side to a well-controlled 63–16 victory, putting the Veterans into a 2–1 lead.
Facing a potential swing in momentum, Station Road responded with determination in the second doubles frame.
Tom Thompson and Darren Lawson grew stronger as the frame developed against Mark Tatton and Mark Tunstall, who couldn’t quite make the most of the opportunities they were presented with.
Capitalising late on, the Station Road pairing took control to secure a solid 50–24 win, bringing the match back level at 2–2.
With the tie finely poised, the final three singles frames delivered high drama.
In frame five, Kevin Kirkham produced an emphatic display, compiling superb breaks of 47 and 32 on his way to a commanding 83–8 victory, putting Station Road within one frame of the title at 3–2.
The Veterans responded to force a decider however, as Mark Tatton finished strongly against Darren Lawson.
In a high-quality finish, Tatton produced an excellent blue followed by an even better pink to seal a well-earned 54–43 victory, levelling the match at 3–3.
With everything resting on the final frame, Station Road’s John Teasdale and Vets’ Paul Johnston stepped up for the decider. In a hard-fought and tactical encounter, Teasdale demonstrated patience and composure throughout, gradually gaining control of the frame.
His measured approach and well-managed scoring proved decisive, as he carved out a thoroughly deserved 45–30 victory to seal a dramatic 4–3 Division One Top Four Playoff Final triumph for league champions Station Road.
