Pool
THE finals night of Teesdale Pool League, which is sponsored by Colin Watson PVCU Windows, was held at Glaxo Sports & Social Club and proved to be an entertaining conclusion to another successful season.
The first division championship was still wide open going into the final match of the season with three teams vying for the title, and in its closest finish ever, three teams finished level on points and had to be separated by frames difference.
It was the Diamond Inn, Butterknowle, who took the title, however, they were reliant on eventual runners-up, Moorcock Inn D, doing them a favour on the final week of the season, by defeating the long-time league leaders and defending champions, Royal Oak Inn A, who had to settle for third place.
The second division championship was an open contest for most of the season with numerous teams in contention and the top spot changing hands several times.
The race for the title was decided in the final week, as a strong finish by Smallways Inn A saw them move above their nearest rivals, who had a bye, and clinch the top spot on frame difference from runners-up Barnard Castle Rugby Club. Third place was taken by Cricketer’s Arms A, who finished two points behind the top two.
The finals night began with the delayed doubles and singles finals from the 2019-2020 season which were postponed due to the pandemic.
The doubles knockout final was contested between Colling Morris and Stuart Carter, of Three Tuns A, and Scott Parkin and Gary Close of the Diamond Inn A.
The Tuns pair made the better start as they controlled the opening frame and duly took the lead, before their opponents responded with a good clearance in the second frame to level the match.
The match then developed into a tactical battle, with the Diamond pair just edging the next frame to get their noses in front, before the run of the balls helped them slightly in the fourth frame, and they capitalised on their fortune to wrap up the match 3-1 and claim the title.
The singles knockout final was contested between two-time previous champion Mark Little, of the Royal Oak Inn A, and final debutant Andrew Ettey, of Bowes Social Club A.
It was an open, entertaining match with both players creating chances throughout, however, it was Andrew who took a 2-0 lead. He had an opportunity to wrap up the match in the third frame, but missed the black and Mark was able to capitalise on the error, before then levelling the match by clinching the next frame in a similar manner following another error by Andrew in his clearance.
However, Mark was unable to complete the comeback, as in the deciding frame the tables were turned – it was Mark who made an error in his clearance and Andrew duly stepped in to nick the frame and take the match 3-2 to claim the title.
The night then moved on to this season’s finals.
The doubles knockout final was contested between Liam Pattison and Wayne King, of the Queen’s Head, Cockfield, and Mark Humble and Dale Brydon of the Diamond Inn.
The opening two frames were close tactical battles that could have gone either way, however, it was the Diamond pair who edged both of them to move into a 2-0 lead.
By comparison, the third frame was open with both pairs having chances to take it, but the Queen’s Head pair’s fate was sealed when Wayne unfortunately went in off to allow the Diamond pair to seize the frame and claim the title with a score of 3-0.
The singles knockout final was contested between six-time previous champion Martin Walton, of the Royal Oak Inn A, and final debutant Liam Pattison of the Queen’s Head, Cockfield.
In an open contest, Martin’s class shone through as he took out two good clearances to open up a 2-0 lead.
Liam was not to be outdone as he responded to cut the deficit to 2-1, by clearing up in the third frame after Martin missed a pot during his clearance.
The contest then became rather nervy as both players seemed to struggle with their rhythm. The fourth frame was to be the last however, as Liam unluckily went in off to hand the initiative to Martin, who duly took out the finish to seal the match 3-1 and claim the title for an astonishing seventh time.
The team knockout final was contested between the league champions, Diamond Inn, and the Travellers Rest, Evenwood.
In a cagey and nervy opening to the match, it was the Diamond players who managed to edge out their opponent and establish a 2-0 lead, with wins by Scott Parkin and Dale Brydon over Corrie Wills and Ben Howe respectively.
In a scrappy third frame, David Howe struck back for the Travellers to cut the deficit to 2-1 with a win over Craig Talbot.
However, in another close and nervy frame, Anthony Wood then restored the Diamond’s two-frame advantage at 3-1 with a win over Chris Howe.
With the Diamond now within one frame of victory, their captain Gary Close played an assured frame, and took out a good clearance to claim the title for his team with a win over Matthew Dunn to make the final score 4-1, and in the process complete the league and cup double.
Two further trophies were also presented for the most sporting teams in each division. These were awarded to the Cricketer’s Arms B, for division one, and the Travellers Rest, for division two
