Andy Makes it Four in a Row
By Graham Clark

In the Formby Snooker Leagues final week of the season attention moved to the Finals of the Harold Mills KO Cup and the Clare Cup.

Legion C defeated their D team in the ‘Harold Mills’ by 4 frames to 2. Colin Bennett and Terry Barlow sent them on their way with narrow victories over Andy Tucker and Scott Kirby respectively. Alan Swift then pulled one back for the D, defeating the Living Flames Handicap winner Ray Lavelle on the Black. However, Alan Morris won well to make it 3-1 and Skipper George Howells applied the finishing touch to their Trophy winning victory. Steve Kirby notched up a consolation win for the D team to leave the final score 4-2.

Andy Rae has again retained the Clare Cup along with the mantle of being Formby Champion. Andy was winning the title for the fourth year running, a tremendous achievement. Andy, who applies his trade for Les Dodd’s A was this year up against the Les Dodd’s B skipper Mark Hopgood who was playing in his first final.

In the first frame Mark started well, quickly dispelling any thoughts the occasion might get to him, by scoring an early 17 break. However, Andy soon got an opening from which a break of 46 flowed and Mark was forced on to the back foot. Mark fought back to still hold every chance on the colours but Andy prevailed to lead 1-0. Andy was smartly out of the blocks in frame 2 with a neat run of 36. Mark the hit Red, Black, Red only to miss a Black off its spot, was the pressure starting to tell. Mark again responded positively, getting back in the frame with a 26 break. The key to the frame then occurred as Andy snookered Mark. Mark escaped from the snooker well and looked like putting Andy in similar trouble. However the Red drifted over the pocket leaving the tightest of gaps between the balls that would have created the Snooker. Andy could just see the potting angle and he the scored 25 to clinch a 2-0 lead.

Andy then won the third and final frame in emphatic style. He looked on his way to a century break until rattling a Red on 51. Another chance soon came and Andy again scored heavily, hitting 33 to win the frame 89-27 and thus secure his fourth title.

The presentation followed the Clare Cup Final and proved to be a great success with an excellent turnout providing a great appreciative atmosphere for both the Final and the presentation itself.

Could all delegates please note that the AGM is scheduled for Tuesday 13th June, 8:00pm at the Legion. Normal rules apply for non-attendance carried forward to new season.