MONDAY 9th JUNE 2008

ESSEX TROPHY FINAL

NEUTRAL VENUE – THE BLACK BULL

COMPASSES ‘B’

So this was it then, the end of what most would describe as a mediocre season. Having finished mid table in the league, and losing in the quarter finals of both the divisional and 9 a side cups, we were in the final of the Essex Trophy. We had this one chance to make it a good season and take home a winner’s trophy. It would not be easy playing a team who has quality throughout its squad and with whom we have had countless good matches.

Waspy was selected to play the first frame. In the early exchanges neither player was able to take control. Waspy was then presented with half a chance of a clearance but had a full length of the table ‘in off’ after attempting a plant. With two shots and only two balls plus black to clear the frame looked to be all but lost. However, after potting the first ball, the Compasses player snookered himself on his remaining ball. He got out of the snooker but was unable to pot it with his second shot. After a couple of shots the Compasses player found himself in a snooker and failed to make the escape. With the two shots Waspy made no mistakes and duly cleared the remaining balls to claim the first frame. 1 – 0

In frame two Gordon could only stand by and watch as his opponent cleared all his balls in three visits but failed to get good position on the black. Gordon then resorted to a safety game which ultimately brought the reward of two shots. Gordon never looked like he was going to miss as he cleared the five remaining balls and the black to take the second frame. 2 – 0

Andy broke frame three and potted a couple of balls. Finishing awkward on the next shot Andy was unable to continue his clearance. His opponent also failed to make any great impression on the frame in his first visit. After a few shots, Andy burst into life making some great pots and even better positional play. It was all too easy for him and when faced with a relatively simple black he………. he did something that every pool player has done at least once in his life. A rush of adrenalin together with the dreaded jelly arm effect jumped in and spoilt what was otherwise a quality performance. Unlucky mate…. 2 – 1

Pete broke off in frame four and failed to pot a ball. That was to be his one and only mistake as the Compasses player made a high quality clearance including a cross double black to the corner 2 – 2

The next frame was very important as the momentum was clearly with the Compasses. If they won this frame they would have gone from 2 – 0 down to 3 – 2 up and the nerves in the Tulip camp might be a bit jangled. Rob was given the task of trying to get the initiative back and started well, breaking and going on to pot four balls. After a few tactical shots each Rob cleared down to his last ball but left it hanging over a corner pocket. His opponent then put Rob in a snooker from which Rob narrowly failed to make the escape. The Compasses player then cleared to his last ball and once again laid a snooker. Rob then attempted the same escape through the angle but this time he made good the escape and potted the ball. Undaunted he then made a very difficult cut on the black into the middle pocket to secure the frame. 3 – 2

With the momentum back with the Tulip, Tam was sent to the table to try and open up the lead. It didn’t start well as Tam broke and went in off. Fortunately the Compasses player was unable to make any impression with his first visit and Tam took control of the frame. As the frame progressed Tam was presented with a chance for a clearance. Potting the balls in what proved to be not the best order Tam was left an awkward black. Tam missed the black and looked like he was going to be in trouble when he failed to get out of a snooker and gave away two shots. The Compasses player moved a couple of balls and left Tam in another snooker. This time not only did Tam make the escape but he left the Compasses player with only one ball to aim at. One shot later and Tam was left a tricky long attempt at the black. One further shot later and the frame was in the bag as Tam made a quality pot. 4 – 2

Craig broke the seventh frame but also failed to pot. The Compasses player potted one ball in his first visit. The frame went tactical after that until the Compasses player made the first in roads into the frame and took control. It was not looking good until the Compasses player made an unforced error clipping Craig’s ball. Craig then cleared his five balls and the black to put us one frame from victory. 5 – 2

The final singles frame was left to Trevor, who despite potting on the break and the following shot, was unable to take control of the frame. It didn’t seem to take long before the Compasses player had cleared his colours but had left an awkward double on the black. Fortunately for Trevor, the double was missed and the black went safe behind a couple of yellows on the top rail. Trevor potted one and then laid a snooker. The Compasses player played a tactical DF leaving Trevor no clear opening. Trevor then played a long double to cover the corner pocket closest to the black, potted a ball and laid another snooker. Once again the Compasses player played another DF leaving Trevor’s four remaining balls around the black. This time however Trevor was able with to pick off the balls, clear the clutter and pot the black. Frame and match to the Tulip C. 6 – 2

This has definitely put a little gloss onto the end of our season and the captain can go off, have a rest for the summer and return as skipper next winter. For those of us who are still playing in the summer lets go and have some fun and keep that arm going for what will hopefully be an even better season next winter!

FINAL SCORE

TULIP ‘C’ 6 - 2 COMPASSES ‘B’