Snooker

TAVY A clinched the Tavistock Snooker League title in their first season on a final night of snooker drama across the town with a 4-1 over West Devon B. With Conservative A also winning their game against Conservative C 4-1, anything less for Tavy A would have handed the title to Con A on ‘goal difference’.

One point separated the top three sides and Con A finished runners-up on ‘goal difference’ over West Devon A. It was only fitting that Tavy A took the title as they had set the pace for pretty much all of the season. Their achievement in no small way can be attributed to their skipper Mark Evans, who always led from the front with an exceptional season.

Golf B finished bottom of the league in their first season but credit to them as they finished on a high with their third win of the season over West Devon C. Hats off to Golf’s Alan Pope who has regenerated a long lost interest in snooker at his club and produced two teams in as many years.

Conservative C can look back on a superb season, to finish in eighth place having been the bottom side for as long as can be remembered is no mean feat.

Golf A finishing a creditable fourth place will think what could have been if only able to field their strongest side each week.

Conservative Z finished in their ’usual’ slot of fifth place, perhaps not performing to their true potential, but always come out to play fun snooker.

Conservative B in sixth place, although not setting the league alight, certainly made their contribution.

West Devon D showed in their last game with a fine win over Golf A what they can do with a bit more consistency, the real ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ of the league. West Devon C who struggled for players this season did their best under skipper Roger Shrimpton, with the players available.

West Devon B did what they do best, playing positive snooker. Well done to their skipper Ian Gilchrist for keeping his team in order.

In the final game of the season Conservative Z’s long held fifth position in the league looked under threat from Conservative B when a majestic fight back from Lillicrap (Junior) for Con B saw him claw his way back against Fitzsimmons who was at one stage 30 points in front and looked to have the game in the bag. However, a ’never say die’ Lillicrap slowly pulled back the deficit and went on to take the game 59-58.

Lillicrap (senior) followed on against Hodge for Con Z in an absolute marathon of a game, both slow and methodical players refusing to yield an inch with Lillicrap finally taking the frame in a black ball game. Hall for Con Z finally took control of the situation against Neale, leaving his opponent floundering with some sharp potting and positional play.

McKechnie for Con B elected to submit to Mayors with a fair amount of reds and colours still on the table and a still winnable game possible, but McKechnie obviously felt otherwise. With that win Con Z’s position in the league was safe and Jankowski made certain with a fairly decisive win over Ewings.