Tie-breakers needed to decide snooker grand finals

12 Oct, 2011 01:00 AM
 
LWC Blue - 2011 A Grade Champions - Michael leslie, Hans Georgieff, Peter Donati, John Stevenson, Rolf Stevenson
LWC Blue - Thursday Night 'A' Grade Champions
 

THE two Northern Tasmanian snooker grand finals, played at the Works Club, were closely contested matches, both requiring tie- breakers after the scores were locked together at the end of the first round.

In last Wednesday night's A-reserve final the more experienced Works Navy was able to handle the pressure a little better than first-year team the Green Horns.

On Thursday night Works Blue won a very tense tie- break 2-1 in A grade to defeat favourite Works Black, which was in its third consecutive grand final, winning in 2009.

In A reserve the Green Horns led early with Peter Donati (8) standing 52 start to Ben Conrades (60), knocking in two breaks in the 40s to prove too strong for his younger opponent.

Navy captain John Fordham (58) and Green Horns' Ethan Brown (58) won a frame each, while Navy's Warren Hayes (54) levelled the scores at 3-3 winning his two frames against Tony Quach (66).

Green Horns youngest player Zane Brown (66) made short work of Steve Collins (52), Brian O'Byrne (54) for Blue and Shane Franklin (66) each won a frame.

The match was down to Philip Page (48) and Green Horns captain Dallas Fry (44), Page winning both frames.

In the tie-breaker Navy's Steve Collins turned the tables on Zane Brown and Warren Hayes proved too steady for Tony Quach.

The A-grade final on Thursday night saw Blue start well with Rolf Stevenson (30) winning 2-0 against Peter Wallace (40) and when older brother John (36) won the first frame against Bruce Lockley (18), it looked like an early night.

Lockley, however, came from well behind to steal the second frame and in another pink ball frame tied the match at 1-1.

Blues veteran Michael Leslie (44), used all of his many years experience to upset Andrew Saltmarsh (22) in another close 2-1 match, while Blacks David Bates (-18) proved too strong for Peter Donati (scr) winning 2-0, and sending the final into extra frames.

In the playoff, Blues John Stevenson with the aid of 18 start reversed the earlier result, against Bruce Lockley, David Bates again levelled the score beating Peter Donati.

The premiership hinged on the result between Rolf Stevenson and Peter Wallace.

With the black hanging over the bottom pocket it was a pink ball game, which after several great safety exchanges Stevenson potted the pink for the title.

The attention now turns to billiards, with the summer roster kicking off this week.

TONIGHT: Raiders v Launceston RSL, Works Gold v Works Navy at the Works Club.

TOMORROW NIGHT: Works Blue v Works Green and Works Black v Devils at the Works Club, Exeter v Works Red at the Exeter Club