Interclub Billiards.

Reigning Premiers, Works Blue, who finished the roster in third spot has booked its place in the Grand Final and a chance to defend the title it won in 2011.

Minor Premiers, Launceston RSL White went down 3-1 to Works Blue and will now meet Works Gold in the preliminary final at the RSL Club on Thursday night. Michael Leslie got Blue of to a perfect start, accounting for RSL Captain Adrian White, who could not make up the 70 point difference in handicap, falling short by 19 points. Ethan Brown made it 2-0 for Blue, outscoring Greg Williams to win by 34 points. Blue Captain Peter Donati, conceding 155 points to Wayne Purdon, made breaks of 43, 40, 38 and 33 to score the third win and get his team to the Grand Final.  RSL’s Dennis Collins continued the form that won him this year’s consistency award, beating Graeme Pickett. Pickett who plays of minus 100, conceded 385 points to Collins, but fell 200 points short.            

Works Gold moved through to the Preliminary final, beating Works Raiders 3-0 with the final game abandoned when the win was secured. The Stevenson Brothers John and Rolf, both playing good billiards, scored against Keith Coomber and Alan Armitage respectively. John Stevenson won his match easily with Coomber not able to make up the 105 point handicap difference. Rolf, however looked beaten, passed by Armitage and falling well behind, he rallied to score an unlikely win.

Gold’s John Fraser was in a similar position, giving 65 start to Barry Glover, it looked all over when Glover reached 380 with Fraser still 50 behind. Fraser, however got up to win by just 2 points in a thrilling finish.

With the win secured the match Between Gold’s Gary Bjarnoe-Elliott and Raiders Lionel Young was called off with Bjarnoe Elliott leading 349 to 342.

The Preliminary Final 

between RSL White and Works Gold promises to be a close match. With the exception of RSL’s Adrian White on 170 and Gold’s John Fraser on 185 and Gary Bjarnoe Elliott on 180, the handicaps differences will be minimal, depending on the draw.

The home table advantage to RSL may well be the deciding factor.

Last weeks best breaks: Peter Donati 43, 40, 38 33,  Graeme Pickett 33, 31, 22, Alan Armitage 24

Semi-Final Results:

Works Raiders 0 lost to Works Gold 3, Keith Coomber (155) lost to John Stevenson (260), 321-400, Alan Armitage (240) lost to Rolf Stevenson (270) 387-400, Barry Glover (250) lost to John Fraser (185) 398-400, Lionel Young (205) and Gary Bjarnoe-Elliott (180) match abandoned with the score 342-349.

Launceston RSL White 1 lost to Works Blue 3, Adrian White (170) lost to Michael Leslie (240) 381-400, Greg Williams (285) lost to Ethan Brown (280) 366-400, Dennis Collins (285) defeated Graeme Pickett (-100) 400-203, Wayne Purdon (245) lost to Peter Donati (90) 371-400

This week’s game,  Preliminary Final : RSL White v Works Gold at the Launceston RSL Club on Thursday night

Nominations for winter rosters in Snooker and 8Ball in all divisions are closing soon, interested groups should get nomination forms from the web site or the Works Club. Players wanting to find a team should contact the Secretary on the number below.        

For more information visit the cue sport website, www.nteba.com.au or call the Secretary on 0487 171 966