The 2010/2011 Billiards Roster (400 up from handicap)
Works Black have been bundled out of the Billiards finals race, beaten by Works Gold in a one sided elimination final at the Works Club last week. Black, who inexplicitly left Northern Champion David Bates out of their team, were no match for the Gold team who only made the final five after a win in the last roster match.
The in form Bates, last weekend, made a record 179 break in the Andrews/Atkins Shield in Burnie, and was expected to be a trump card in the finals series.
John Stevenson and John Fraser got Black to 2-0, winning the first two matches against, Bruce Lockley and Terry Adams respectively. Rolf Stevenson, who had lost several close matches during the season, came good against Scott Kopriva winning by 16 points in a tense battle, to secure, at least, another week in the finals. With the match decided, the remaining game, between Gold’s Gary Bjarnoe-Elliott and Black’s Andrew Saltmarsh was abandoned.
2011 Premiers, Works Blue, who have been in the shadows of RSL White and Works Raiders most of the season showed why they cannot be overlooked for another title, belting the Raiders 3-1, in the qualifying final. Blue’s veteran Micheal Leslie, a finals specialist, was far too strong for Keith Coomber, winning by 100 points, and Graeme Pickett, giving 305 points start to Harley Stebbings, knocked in breaks of 106, 45, 36 and 33 to win by 83 points. Peter Donati finished the job for Blue, beating Raiders captain Alan Armitage by just 10 points after breaks of 42 and 35.
Barry Glover was Raiders only winner on the night, easily accounting for Blue’s Hans Georgieff.
This week minor premiers RSL White take on Blue in what promises to be an exciting match at the Launceston RSL Club. The draw will be very important, with Blue’s low handicap players, Pickett and Donati showing good form, RSL White’s players with a significant handicap advantage, Dennis Collins, Wayne Purdon and Greg Williams, will need to fire on the night. RSL Captain Adrian White showed glimpses of a return to form in his last match, after a patchy season, he may be the key to RSL’s chances.
The elimination semi-final between Raiders and Gold should also be a close match. Raiders have been at the top end of the ladder all season and will be desperate not to go out of the finals in straight matches. Raider’s players have similar handicaps to Gold, with the exception of Keith Coomber (155), so the impact of the draw will not be significant. John Fraser has been in good form for Gold, and the Stevenson brothers , Rolf and John, both played well last week.
Last weeks best breaks: Graeme Pickett 106, 45, 36, 33, Peter Donati 42, 35, 22, Terry Adams 33, John Fraser 28, 22, 20.
This weeks games:
First First Semi-Final, Wednesday, at the Works Club, Works Raiders v Works Gold.
Second Semi-Final, Thursday at the Launceston RSL Club, RSL White v Works Blue.
Last Week’s Billiards Results:
Qualifying Final
Works Raiders 1 lost to Works Blue 3, Keith Coomber (155) lost to Micheal Leslie (235), 301-401, Harley Stebbings (205) lost to Graeme Pickett (-100) 317-400, Alan Armitage (240) lost to Peter Donati (90), 390-400, Barry Glover (260) defeated Hans Goergieff (260) 400-360
Elimination Final
Works Black 0 lost to Works Gold 3, Bruce Lockley (185) lost to John Stevenson (260), 368-400, Terry Adams (170) lost to John Fraser (185) 367-400, Scott Kopriva (295) lost to Rolf Stevenson (270) 384-400, Andrew Saltmarsh (230) v Gary Bjarnoe-Elliott (180) game not completed.
8 Ball News:
Burnie/Sommerset 8Ball Association team, The Coombers, have won the Tasmanian Teams Championship, defeating SE 8Ball Association team, Rugby Club Breakers, at the Hobart Working Mens Club over the weekend.
The Coombers team consisted of Cale Barrett, Gerrad Wicks, Stephen Cain, Tim Wright, Rodney Cain and Mick Robson.
Winter Rosters:
Nominations are called for the winter rosters in Snooker and 8Ball, in all divisions, with rosters due to start in mid, to late April.
Nomination forms are available from the website or at your local club or hotel.
For more information go to the cue sport website, www.nteba.com.au or call the Secretary on 0487 171 966