Whitehaven’s Rack Shack made full use of their handicap advantages along with a composed and clinical performance to secure end-of-season silverware.
They won 4–1 in the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League TKO Plate Final against Workington’s United Club A.
The opening frame saw Phil Denvir (+32) take on Dave Chapman (+29) in what proved to be a scrappy encounter.
Both players found it difficult to settle early on, with chances coming and going, but it was Denvir who showed the greater composure when it mattered most.
Producing an excellent pink followed by a well-taken black, the Whitehaven cueist edged the frame 54–45 to give the Division Two side the perfect start.
Frame two brought another tight contest as Neil Docherty (+38) faced Andrew Mitchelhill (+9).
Mitchelhill worked hard to claw back the handicap deficit and got himself right back into contention, but Docherty showed resilience throughout.
As the frame moved onto the colours, it was Docherty who produced the decisive moment, potting a superb pink off the cushion to secure a 61–51 victory and extend Rack Shack’s lead to 2–0.
United Club A responded well in the first doubles frame, with Andrew Mitchelhill and Tony Hindmoor (combined handicap +30) facing Neil Docherty and Paul McAvoy (combined handicap +35).
The United pairing made a strong start and quickly built an advantage that they never relinquished. With confident scoring and solid teamwork, they powered to a convincing 69–20 win to reduce the deficit to 2–1.
However, Rack Shack hit back immediately in the second doubles frame to regain full control of the match.
Denver and Chris McKelvey (combined handicap +35) took on Chapman and Daryl Walters (combined handicap +28), and it was the Whitehaven pair who made the decisive impact.
Getting in early, they extended their lead with some fine, confident potting and never allowed their opponents back into the frame. Their dominance saw them close out a commanding 73–31 victory to put the Whitehaven side 3–1 ahead and within touching distance of the trophy.
In what proved to be the final frame of the match, the contest returned to singles action as Peter McAvoy (+32) took on Clive Lister (+19).
McAvoy established an early lead and extended it with a well-constructed contribution of 26, placing himself firmly in control.
Lister battled hard in an attempt to get back into the frame, but McAvoy held firm to close out a 62–38 victory to seal a frame, match and title success for the ever improving Whitehaven outfit.
