Black ball thriller in Queens Road Snooker Trophy

The annual Queens Road Snooker Trophy held at the Literary and Social Club witnessed a tight encounter between Mid Sussex and East Grinstead teams with the outcome being decided on a black ball thriller in the final frame.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Mar 2014, 07:30 BST
Lee Cannizarro topped a splendid team performance by securing the final black ballLee Cannizarro topped a splendid team performance by securing the final black ball
Lee Cannizarro topped a splendid team performance by securing the final black ball

The evening commenced with the named doubles, the Middies duo of Kevin Ward and Mark Bright opening with a confident 66-23 win over Andy Carter and Jamie Williams. Vince Elphick and Ian Janman extended their team’s lead by ousting Richard Kinnard and David Hudson 57-40, the Grins pulled one back when Bob Ashenden and Kevin Jennings dug in to beat Martin Batchelor and Lee Cannizarro 63-51.

The drawn doubles brought together the visitor’s Ian Janman and Jason Pelham who teamed up well to beat Andy Carter and James Bagley 76-56 and then watched their colleagues Willem Moll and Lee Cannizarro compete in a black ball finish which saw Moll keeping his bottle to sink the final ball to win 52-49 against Nigel Bailey and Dave Hexford. The hosts retaliated with a comfortable win, Mick Tugwell and Dave Hudson beating Neil Baker and Ben May 68-24 thus the Middies finishing the doubles with a 4-2 lead.

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With ten single frames to be played, the Grins were determined to get back into match especially Carter who was attempting to get his first win on the night, alas, after a tight frame he had to watch Batchelor glide in both the pink and black to lose out 64-69. His team mate Jennings fought a long battle with Ward to secure the win 88-62 and likewise Kinnard hit top form to beat Elphick 66-9. The Middies seasoned player Janman recognised the fightback and used his experience to overcome Hexford 61-18, May encouraged by watching his mentor’s performance followed up with a re-spotted black success to win 61-54.

The Grins being 4-7 down took the next three frames to pull level with Bailey defeating Pelham 52-25, Hudson edged Baker on the black to win 57-54 and similarly Bagley beat Middies debutant Moll 44-38. With the team score at 7-7, the hosts Tugwell eased into an early lead against Bright, however Bright moved up a gear to take the frame 83-43. The pressure was now placed on Cannizarro to beat Ashenden, he did not fail as the final frame went to a black ball finale, after many attempts by both players it was Cannizarro who potted the black to win 63-54 and secure the Queens Road Trophy for the Middies with a 9-7 team victory, the match was well marshalled by Dave Dawson and Dennis Wakeford.

Related topics:East Grinstead