That's a Wrap! Finals Day Review, Winter 2023/24...
APA Finals Day, Winter 2023/2024
And so that was that. Another season draws to a close as the Andover Pool Association closed the book on the Winter 2023/2024 Season with the culmination of the Competitions on Finals Day. After back-to-back seasons of a full house of Finals, Shaun Stoodley again delivered a full card, setting an unprecedented hat-trick, something even yours truly couldn't get close to.
Not only did he pull together every single Final, but he also pulled together a full house of Committee Members. Alongside the full 1 Finals, thanks to the team at Evolve Eight Ball, we were able to stream every single final across the day, something not seen before.
A nice early 9am start for a number of us, getting in, setting up The Wolversdene Club to make sure everything was set. Ben Day stepped in to the void left by Wayne Noon's absence to be our expert table leveller for the day, and by 11am, everyone headed off for breakfast in preparation for the day ahead.
The Opening Session
Action got under way at 1.30pm as the Captains Cup and the Singles Trophy opened proceedings.
Gaz Turner and Richard Belcher contested a hugely compeititve Captains Cup Final. Both men had tasted defeat in their previous Captains Cup finals, both at the hands of Jez Taylor, so for one man it would mean a first title. It was Richard who took the opener, but Gaz fought back in style, rolling over the next 4 frames to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Richard wasn't about to wilt and went on a roll of his own, taking the next 4 frames to put himself on the hill at 5-4 up. Gaz took a tense 10th frame to ensure we saw a decider, and after Richard was unlucky with a tough plant, Gaz played a lovely up and down to drop his last ball home and leave a black to the middle to clinch his first Captains Title.
The Singles Trophy saw a battle of youth and experience, as Jake Connor; making his debut in the Competition, took on Chris Gray. Chris took control of the match early, taking the first 3 frames before Jake hit back with two of his own. They shared the next 2 before Chris' experience took over and he took the next two to seal his first Singles title in the APA.
The Afternoon Session
The afternoon Finals got underway at 3.30pm, giving us our first Team Final as the League Cup took centre stage in the main hall, while the first of our Doubles action was on show as the Scotch Doubles was contested, whilst the Veterans Cup completed the line up.
Wolves 'B' were hoping to make it back-to-back League Cup's after their superb win in Summer '23. They would be up against formidable opposition as they took on Premier Division Champions, Southampton Arms 'B' as they looked to seal the first part of a team cup double that would seal a second successive treble. The Wolves however were up for it, and despite an unfortunate error costing them the first frame, they reeled off the next 3 to take a 3-1 lead. A stroke of luck for the Arms 'B' in the last singles of the first set saw them only 1 down heading into the doubles. A strong showing in the doubles saw the Arms take both frames and they never looked back, as despite some close frames they took the first 3 singles of the second set to record a 7-3 victory and complete one half of their quest for a treble.
The Scotch Doubles was an all Premier League affair, as Simon Grove and Rob Minall took on Paul Fudge and Alex Ponting. Simon and Paul had both experienced Scotch finals before, with Paul taking the title in Summer '22, and Simon coming up short in the Summer '19 season. Simon and Rob struck first, taking the opening frame, before a Paul and Alex broke and dished to level up the tie. From there on it was fairly one sided, as Simon and Rob took the next 3 to take a 4-1 lead. Alex and Paul pulled one back, but it wasn't to be as Simon and Rob took the next two and sealed their first title together and a second for teams from the Prince Regent.
Our last Final in the 3.30pm starts was the Veterans Cup, with David Ringrose making his debut in the final, while Jason Dixon was looking to regain the title he won in the Winter 2021/22 Season. After sharing the first two frames, Jason never looked back. A break and dish, followed by a reverse dish put the Ten Time Mens Champion in a commanding position and from there, David had no answer as Jason saw out the rest of the match to claim his second Veterans Title.
Early Evening Session
As we moved into the business end of Finals Day, the 6pm Finals saw both TKO's take place as Team Knockout 'A' and Team Knockout 'B' finals took place, alongside the Mixed Doubles.
After earlier securing the League Cup, the Southampton Arms 'B' had their eyes on securing the last trophy they needed for their treble. Standing in their way were their long time foes the Wolves QC; arguably the two greatest teams in APA history, this final surely couldn't disappoint..... and it didn't! Wolves QC got off to the perfect start as Rob Rasey saw off IPA Professional, Richard Swaffield to put them 1-0 up. Ryan Houston saw off Men's Singles finalist Andy Bannan and Nick Roberts defeated Paul Hughes to give his side a 3-0 lead. John Heredge got the Arms 'B' on the board as he defeated Ian Bryant, however, that would be the only frame the Arms took in the first set as Paul Fudge defeated Brett Carter to out the QC 4-1 up and in a commanding position. That position would get even stronger as the QC took both doubles to put them on the hill at 6-1, needing just 1 frame from the next 5 to claim their first TKO 'A' since the Summer of '22. What happened next was increible as Arms 'B' fought their way back into the match. Brett Carter battled his way past Rob Rasey in a tense encounter, before John Heredge beat Ryan Houston to close the gap to 6-3 and put the pressure on the Wolves QC. Richard Swaffield edged Nick Roberts in another close encounter, before Ian Bryant's costly mistake on the black handed Andy Bannan a chance to clear up and put the Arms within 1. The last frame saw a back and forth frame between Paul Hughes and Paul Fudge, and after a saftey exchange, Paul Hughes found himself with ball in hand and went on to secure the first ever Penalty Shootout in a TKO Final. Rob Rasey missed the opener for the QC, Swaffield, Bannan and Hughes knocked their blacks in either side of Roberts and Houston doing the same, but when Ian Bryant rattled his effort, it was left to John Heredge to seal the most remarkable of comebacks and secure a historic treble for the Arms B.
In the Team Knockout 'B' final, Division 2 Champions Clatford TTC took on fellow Div 2ers Legion B52's looking to claim the double. They took the opening frame with Carl Pearce seeing off Melvyn Knight to get Clatford up and running. From then on, it was the Legion that took control. Leigh Mundy edged a tactical frame against Ash Kemp, before Ken Blight held his nerve to see of Martyn Dineen who flew out of the box potting 6 in succession. Simon Mansbridge took another close frame against Jay Gauld to put the Legion 3-1 up. The final frame of the 1st set saw a superb Dean Coggle clearance against Ronnie George to give his side a 4-1 lead. The sides shared the doubles, leaving the tie poised at 5-2. Clatford opened the 2nd set with Ronnie George defeating Tim Sylvester to keep Clatford in touch, but when Leigh Mundy superbly saw off Jay Gauld it put Legion on the hill. Carl Pearce had it all to do against Ken Blight, and when he missed a ball to the top right pocket it left Ken with a simple black to the middle to seal the title for the Legion and end the double hopes of the TTC.
The Mixed Doubles saw David Ringrose and Helen Turner making their first appearance together in a final in their debut season. They took on Simon Grove and Tracey Ford from the Prince Regent, also making their debut in a final. It was a strong start from the Pit Stakers pairing as they rattled off the opening 3 frames, with both Ladies stealing the show with their performances. The Prince pair weren't to be dismissed, and Simon and Tracey took the next 2 frames to leave the tie well poised for a classic. The next 4 frames were shared between the two sides, as the Pit Stakers couldn't shake their opponents. Drama unfolded in the 10th frame, as a smashed glass and then a re-rack added to the tension. When Simon and Tracey left the black over the pocket, their was work to do for their opponents, but having worked an opening, they went for it, including a sublime plant from Helen along the rail to give themselves a chance of glory which they took to seal a 6-4 victory and the title!
Evening Session
The close of the day saw the last 3 Finals to be decided, with the Doubles, Ladies and Mens all starting at 8.30pm.
The Doubles Final saw all 4 players makign their first appearance in the final, with Richard Clarke and Ryan Houston from the Wolves QC taking on Callum Lowe and Mark Burden from the Arms 'A'. It was the Arms 'A' pair that drew first blood, as Callum took out a lovely finish to punish a missed shot from Clarke. The 2nd frame saw a reverse from the opener, as a tough yellow from Callum didn't sink and Ryan calmly took out a cool finish to level everything up. Punishing missed pots seemed to be the pattern for this final. When Ryan missed a red to the middle, Callum had the chance to finish the frame, but a tough black down the table didn't drop and left Richard a chance to clear the table and put the Wolves QC pair 2-1 up. The 4th frame went more tactical than the opening 3, and when Ryan left the black over the hole, it left Callum and Mark in a tough position and despite a valiant attempt Ryan was left with an easy black to put them 3-1 ahead and open a 2 frame lead. Frame 5 again went slightly tactical, and after a back and forth safety battle, Mark created an opening for himself, developing his colours superbly to pull them with one. Frame 6 saw Ryan pull out a superb clearance to restore their 2 frame lead after Mark broke down on a tough shot to the middle. The 7th frame saw one of the shots of the day as Callum manufactured himself a chance to clear the table, and despite rolling up close to the black on the rail, he potted a sensation shot to again pull his side within one. The 8th frame again saw another superb clearance from Ryan as he proved his class, developing covered yellow to open the table and rattle through his finish to put them on the hill. The 9th and final frame seemed to be heading to a tight finish, however, when Richard's attempted safety saw his penultimate red drop it seemed like another mistake could be punished, however, a superb double from a tight position left a chance on black, abnd despite catching the knuckly, he was fortunate not to leave anything, and when Mark missed a very difficult shot to the middle it was left to Ryan to sink a long black and cement he and Richard as Champions.
The biggest crowd of the day was present for the Ladies, with Kara Rees-Webbe marking her first final appearance in 13 years taking on Sam Tyler in her first Ladies final. It was a cagey start from both players, but Kara settled well, leaving herself a back double on the black to take the opener which rolled around the jaws. Sam's no fear brand of pool and confident potting saw her claw her way back into the frame, and when Kara put the white in the middle Sam had the chance to take the opener only to see the white follow the black into the same pocket! Frame 2 saw Kara produce a brilliant clearance, as Sam rattled a red to the bottom right pocket leaving the yellows in the open and Kara did not look back, clearing all 7 yellows and the black to put herself 2-0 in front and remind everyone of her ability. The 3rd frame saw both players have chances, but with Sam still struggling to find her best Kara pounced and after leaving the black in the jaws returned to tap it home moments later and take a 3-0 lead. The 4th saw Sam's potting and confidence begin to grow and when Kara couldn't put the black away Sam seized on the opportunity and got herself on the board. Frame 5 see-sawed between both players, but it was Kara who would make the biggest mistake, following her last yellow in with the white to leave Sam the simplest of finishes to pull herself to 3-2. Frame 6 saw Sam continue to grow in confidence, with her potting improving with every shot, and when Kara broke down on a clearance, Sam produced a superb cut to the middle before rolling home the black home to level the match. Frame 7 turned tactical, with Kara controlling the table and a number of pockets covered, but a mistake handed Sam the advantage and after clearing the pocket for her final red, a touch of fortune saw the white bounce up and land on the table before a superb long black put Sam in front for the first time and a 4th frame on the bounce. The 8th frame saw Sam again take control, with her tail up and confidence flowing, she left Kara in a tough position with just her last yellow remaining. A mistake from Kara saw the white roll in the middle after a fine cut to the top pocket, Sam confidently put her last yellow over the pocket but missed the black to hand Kara another chance. Another error saw Kara pot the white again, and despite not makign the black easy with her free shot, Sam trebled the black to go on the hill and one away from her maiden title. Frame 9 provided Sam with a golden chance to seal her title, but after rattling the black, Kara used her tactical experience to keep herself in the frame, and a lovely cut on her last yellow left a long black which rolled in, and depsite the white tracking to the middle, the knuckle saved her and put her within one of Sam. Frame 10 became a cagey affair, with so much on the line, and when a poor shot from Sam released Kara's tied up red, she took control. A tough double to the middle from Sam rattled and Kara had the chance to finish it off, but in another twist snookered herself on the black.... to her credit, and to the delight of her fans, Kara came off to cushions to pot the black in the middle to level it up and put them 'hill-hill'. The deciding frame was as tense as expected with both players doing their all to get the advantage. It was Kara who had the first attempt on the black which rattled the top right jaws. A tough yellow up the rail for Sam didn't drop and when Kara doubled the black down to the bottom of the table, Sam couldn't sink her final yellow and left Kara a simple black to clinch her first title in 13 years and become Ladies Champion.
Last but by no means least, the Mens Singles final saw Andy Bannan look to win his first title since the Summer '21 Season against Richard Prosser Jnr, who broke away from not entering the Competitions to try his hand at the Singles, 27 years after his 1997 win. It promised to be a high quality final, with Andy in incredible form, and Richard returning to his very best. It was Andy who drew first blood, after Richard left the black hanging over the middle, a cute safety from Andy left a tough up and down for Richard and when the white dropped in the middle, Andy mopped up the colours to take a 1-0 lead. Frame 2 seemed to be going the way of the 1st, with Richard leaving a yellow in the jaws and Andy a chance to clear, but after snatching at a tough red, Andy left Richard with an easy finish to draw level and get himself on the board. Frame 3 saw Andy make the early running, but a slight misjudgement saw a tough yellow down the rail rattle and present Richard with a chance, but he left his red hanging and Andy with just a couple of balls to send home, but with tensions high Andy's thin cut to the middle saw the white roll into the bottom pocket and give Richard another easy finish to take the lead. Frame 4 saw Richard kick into gear as Andy broke dry and Richard made no mistake taking out the balls for a reverse dish and a 2 frame lead. Frame 5 and Richard was flying and on for back-to-back dishes, but after misjudging the angle on his last yellow, Richard overscrewed onto the black leaving a tough shot, and as the black flew into the pocket, as did the white to the middle and from potentially 4-1 down, Andy was at 3-2. Frame 6 started off as a cagey affair, but when Andy's attempted safety didn't come out perfectly, Richard took his chance with aplomb, finishing with a superb cut on the black to take a 4-2 lead. Frame 7 and Richard just couldn't miss, a break and dish putting him on the hill, and in the 8th frame, despite breaking down on a finish he left Andy with everything to do to stay in the match. When his last yellow sat in the jaws, he left Richard with a chance to clinch it, and he did so in style, despite not finishing well on the black, a fine cut on the red gave Richard a chance at glory and he didn't miss, flicking a thin black to the bottom corner and sealing his first title in 27 years, the longest gap between titles in APA history!