Workington Veterans Club produced a dominant performance to take the L&L Property Contractors Snooker League Trebles Knock-out Handicap title.
Played with a six red format they recorded a 5-2 victory over Workington’s Station Road Club in the final at Maryport Social Club.
The Vets side started well with Mark Tatton (+12 six red handicap) looking to get into his stride early against Tom Thompson (+9).
Tatton took the early initiative with a succession of confident long pots to build a commanding advantage and carried a 20-point lead into the colours.
Thompson attempted to claw his way back into contention, but Tatton maintained his composure and sealed the frame in style with another excellent long blue to secure a 33–6 victory and hand Vets the ideal start.
Station Road responded in frame two through Darren Lawson (+9), who edged a scrappy but competitive encounter.
Both players showed good potting at times, although a couple of missed Vets’ opportunities allowed Lawson some straightforward starters.
A lengthy tactical battle followed with Lawson gradually gaining control before producing a fine blue to close the frame out 40–17 and level the match at 1–1.
Frame three proved pivotal as Kevin Basnett (Scr) delivered a commanding display against Chris Hunter (+15).
Basnett opened superbly with a 24 break and raced into a 37–15 lead while Hunter failed to pot a ball in the early stages.
Although Basnett appeared firmly in control throughout, a late mistake allowed Hunter a route back into the frame with all the colours remaining. Hunter responded admirably, potting green, brown and blue under pressure.
But he missed the pink and Basnett punished immediately to take the frame 45–28 and restore the Veterans advantage at 2-1.
Station Road once again battled back in frame four as Thompson produced one of the best frames of the evening. The Vets side struck first only to see Thompson reply immediately leaving the frame finely poised heading into the colours.
Thompson then produced the decisive contribution of the frame, clearing from green to pink with an excellent 18 break to secure a 37–17 victory and draw the match level once more at 2–2.
With the contest delicately balanced, Veterans regained control in frame five courtesy of another strong showing from Basnett against Station Road’s Lawson.
Basnett opened with two blues before his clever safety play repeatedly placed Lawson in difficulty. Establishing a commanding 46–9 lead, Basnett looked in complete control despite Lawson escaping from a difficult snooker during the closing stages.
Basnett then calmly potted yellow, green and brown to wrap up a convincing 55–19 win and move Vets back in front at 3–2.
Tatton then produced another polished display in frame six to put Veterans within touching distance of the title.
Facing Hunter, Tatton controlled the early exchanges in a close tactical frame before his assured potting gradually created separation on the scoreboard.
Carrying a healthy 29–9 advantage into the colours, Tatton maintained his excellent long potting form with superb long yellow and green successes before another brilliant long brown left Hunter requiring snookers. Tatton eventually closed the frame out 38–9 to secure a Veterans 4–2 lead.
Needing all the remaining frames Station Road were up against it as Thompson faced Vets’ Basnett in frame seven.
Opening strongly with two blacks, combined with some effective safety play Basnett established a 32–15 lead. Thompson responded admirably with an attempted comeback, compiling an excellent break to reduce the deficit to just two points at 32–30.
However, Basnett held his nerve in the closing stages, producing quality pots under pressure on the blue and pink to secure the frame 43–30 and complete a match and title victory with a 5–2 scoreline.
