For the last three closed seasons, Carlisle have faced off against Ashington in a two-legged billiards challenge match.
The fourth, and latest, contest saw the respective players facing-off at the Upperby Social Club.
The expanded format of 12-a-side saw a couple of players make their Ashington debut, whilst Carlisle saw five players get their first taste of representing their city.
In the opening three games, two of the Carlisle debutants had very close outcomes, with Andy Butcher coming back from about 50 behind to win 103-101 over John Nichol, while Don Thorburn lost out to a classy last gasp 22 break from Maxie Graves, the Ashington cueist emerging a 132-129 victor.
World billiards player Dave Turley forged a lead for Carlisle in winning his game 152-86 against Jack Thompson.
Two more Cumbrian debutants secured wins in the second set of three matches, Gary Hirst narrowly winning by 121-101 over John Hall, and the ever-improving Ade Shaw delighted to win by 30 over John Dobinson.
The firm lead was extended by the spinmeister Nigel Lewthwaite showing all the shots against Ashington’s Jack Kelly, finishing 177-109.
The third set of three games saw an amazing performance from Paul Cowing, fresh from an amazing season in the Carlisle league, playing against one of Ashington’s most talented players in Lol Seddon.
Paul top scored for the day with an amazing 254 to Lol’s 92. There were other wins for Ian Pattinson and the final Carlisle debutant Paul Watson, 149-86 and 108-76 respectively.
The final set had the three main competition organisers of competitions in Carlisle, Mike Griffiths, John Metcalfe and David Midgley take to the baize, facing off against Fred Rodgers, Ashington captain and organiser Keith Green, and Michael Henderson respectively.
Rodgers played very well and it was nip and tuck for the whole match, until Griffiths finished with an unfinished 48 break to emerge a 175-126 victor.
Ashington’s Keith Green had the break of the day though, with a wonderful 55 in his 225-109 victory over Metcalfe, and ‘Midge’ secured the 10-2 first leg advantage for Carlisle with a close 135-119 success.
The main point of the match is twenty-four guys who love billiards getting together, and the sharing of a lovely curry, more than a few drinks and a fair share of stories and friendly 30 minute games finished off yet another wonderful day for the local cue sports scene.
Thanks were extended to the Ashington team for coming across, and the Carlisle players look forward to the return leg on 8th August in Ashington.
