Crowland A clinched the Spalding and District Billiards League title as they held their nerve on the most exciting final night of the season in recent memory.
Three teams went into Monday night’s finale knowing that they had a chance of lifting the league crown, but two of those – Crowland B and defending champions Long Sutton – squared off against each other.
Whatever happened in that clash, Crowland A were always the favourites – and they duly delivered with a 5-1 victory over Consti A.
Neil Burton (R80) got the ball rolling with a 200-190 win over Robert Adams (R40) in frame one, only for Consti’s Peter Tingle (R90) to hit back and beat Richard Wesley (R70) 200-177 in the second showdown.
However, Crowland A’s Terry Everitt (scr) held his nerve to defeat Edwin Adams (R40) 200-110 in the decider, making two breaks of 20 as he sealed the title for his side.
It’s the first time any team from the Crowland club has lifted the trophy since 2003 – and more accolades followed.
That’s because Crowland B edged out hosts Sutton 4-3 in the heavyweight contest of the night, making it a Crowland lockout in the top two.
Paul Holland (R80) and Allan Sharman (R60) grabbed the wins for the B side, rendering Mick Cooper’s (O120) impressive win over Rob Childs (O220) as mere consolation.
Cooper, who made a 49 break, does at least finish with the most frame wins (19) of any player in the league this season. But his Sutton side had to settle for third place, meaning they missed out winning three league titles back-to-back.
Elsewhere, Pyramid A took fourth place with a dominant 7-0 victory over Gosberton B, who finish rock bottom.
John Twell (R50) finished the season with a 23 break for the Bourne boys.
Gosberton A ensured that they didn’t finish at the foot by dispatching Pyramid B 5-2. Norman Gookey (R90) and Malc Dennis (R120) won for them, with Maurice Phillipson (R80) making an unfinished 21 for the Bourne side.
Consti C also won 5-2 against Holbeach B, with Stewart Davies (R30) and Alan Hansard (R60) bagging breaks of 22 and 21 respectively.
Results: Crowland A 5 Consti A 2; Gosberton A 2 Pyramid B 5; Consti C 1 Holbeach B 5; Holbeach A 2 Donington 5; Pyramid A 7 Gosberton B 0; Long Sutton 3 Crowland B 4.
