PORTSMOUTH PRLC SNOOKER REPORT
It was make or break this week in the last round of the PRLC matches where we find out who has made it to the last 16 from the 4 groups.
GROUP A
Craneswater A made it 5 wins out of 5 as they beat Emsworth B 8 – 4. It was in the last 3 matches where Craneswater turned it on as Mark Jones, Andy Boulton and then Rob Kirby all won a brace apiece to get them over the line. The highlight for Emsworth was John Morrison who won his brace but Emsworth failed to qualify.
Alex B’s qualified in 2nd place after their close 7 – 5 win against Copnor D. For Alex Ronnie O’Sullivan won his 2 frames and this was backed up by Paul Wilson who did the same and that was the difference despite a brace from Copnor’s Andy Bushnell. Copnor did qualify in 3rd position.
Cowplain Z went on their travels and came away with a 7 – 5 victory over Havant Club which meant Cowplain took the last place in this group. It was the 2 most experience players in Heath Smith and Steve Hughes who were the difference as they both won and made their team qualify.
GROUP B
Waterlooville Bananas qualified top after their 9 – 3 home win against Broadoak. Ollie Rendle got the Bananas off to a good start and this was backed up by Ben Cotton who won his brace of frames and also making a 34 break. Ollie Rendle had to play twice and made another brace as they go through. Broadoak still finished 2nd to qualify.
Emsworth and Copnor Xcels couldn’t be split as they drew 6 – 6. Ensworth finished 3rd and qualified and had Wayne Brenchley and Chris Hardyman to thank as they won their matches. Sam Laxton played well for Copnor as he won his brace, but Copnor failed to qualify.
The final team to qualify was Bellair X who even though they drew 6 – 6 with Dandy’s they just scrapped through. Kelvin Connor won his match for the Dandy’s and it looked to be the difference, but at the end Archie Archer for Bellair held his nerve to get them a draw and qualify for the last 16.
GROUP C
Portchester X went to Cowplain Misfits and won 8 – 4 and qualified top in this group. For Portchester Karl Cake won his match and Adam Gillen did the same to take them to the summit in this group. Steve Dewhurst for Cowplain making a 30 break won his brace.
NEBC qualified in runners up spot after their 6 – 6 draw against Cowplain Gas who finished 4th. Richard Jones won his brace for NEBC but this was cancelled out by Ray Pitman who did the same to make the night a draw.
The spot to qualify went to Copnor A & E who had a club derby against Copnor E, with A & E winning 8 – 4. Ant Lacey, Chris Wilson and Dan Compton all won their matches to get them over the line. The highlight for the E team was Dan Walter who won his brace. Paul Ashmore made a 40 break.
GROUP D
Post Office qualified top as they beat Cowplain X 9 – 3. Frank Summitt, Liam O’Driscoll, Matt Paffett and at the end Jamie Farrow all won their games to qualify. Dave Arnold did his best for Cowplain as he won his brace.
Bellair A finished in 2nd as they went to Craneswater R and won 7 – 5. Phil Watson played well to win his brace for Bellair as did Spencer Nelson for Craneswater. It was Greg Jones who got the Bellair team over the line as he won his brace. Craneswater also qualified in 4th.
Pompey Royals took the last qualification place but lost to Waterlooville C 8 – 4. For Waterlooville Dave Pink, Mark Pitman and then Richie Burnett all won their matches and that was enough. Martin Bell won his match for the Royals.
The draw for the last 16 is as follows:
Craneswater A v Cowplain Gas
Broadoak v Pompey Royals
Post Office v Bellair X
NEBC v Copnor D
W’ville Bananas v Craneswater R
Alexandra B’s v Copnor A & E
Portchester X v Cowplain Z
Bellair A v Emsworth A
REPORT DONE BY STEVE TOMS