Trans-Tasman 9-Ball Champs

Held at the ACBS Clubrooms : 17 November 2007

The Trans Tasman 9-Ball had a small but competitive field, unfortunately with no entries from overseas players.

There were no major upsets in post section play, although there were some very long and close matches.  In the women’s post section play Hazel Cook and Denise Wilkinson prevailed over Miriam Tinkler and Lorna Frost.  In the final, Hazel shot away to an 8-0 lead (courtesy of some unlucky in-offs by Denise) and went on to win the event 11-1.

In the Men’s post section play the youngest and smallest player in the field certainly held his own against Tony de Fontenay, going down 11-7.  A new-comer to 9-Ball, Jonathan Grimley beat Chris Bowman 11-8 in the first round.  In the quarter-finals Mathew McInnes took no time at all in overcoming Alan Bain 12-5.  Jon continued on his winning way and beat Nick Pera 12-8.  Joe Spellman and Tony de Fontenany’s quarter-final match was won by Tony 12-6.  Both players had leg injuries which did slow down the match somewhat! 

It was decided that the semi-finals and final match would both be played as a race to 12 frames.  Both Semi-final matches produced some great clearances and also some excellent tactical play.  Mathew and Jon’s match was tied at 4-4 when Mathew all of a sudden found another gear and raced out to 11-4 in front of Jon, having a very determined clearance in the 16th frame to make it 11-5 – but Mathew planted the 9-ball in the next frame to win 12-5.  The other Semi-final finished up at 10-4 to Matt Edwards with Tony de Fontenay deciding his leg was too sore to carry on.

With the final starting at 9.10 pm, both players were determined not to muck around and with Mathew still in top gear, he raced out to a 6-0 lead; then to 9-1 before Matt planted the 9-ball to make it 9-2, and Mathew continued on to finally win the match and title 12-3 in a matter of only 40 minutes.

Men’s Last Sixteen:
N Pera bt N Wilkinson 11/6, J Grimley bt C Bowman 11/8, A Bain bt J Cook 11/7, M McInnes bt T Putu 11/3, P Wilkinson bt L Wilkinson 11/7, M Edwards bt D White 11/4, J Spellman bt G Croudis 11/5, T de Fontenay bt J Brown 11/7.
Men’s Quarter-Finals:
J Grimley bt J Pera 12/8, M McInnes bt A Bain 12/5, M Edwards bt P Wilkinson 12/9, T de Fontenay bt J Spellmen 12/6.
Men’s Semi-Finals:
M McInnes bt J Grimley 12/5, M Edwards bt T de Fontenay 12/4.
Men’s Final:
M McInnes bt M Edwards 12/3.

Women’s Semi-Finals:
H Cook bt L Frost 9/7, Denise Wilkinson bt M Tinkler 9/5.
Women’s Final:
H Cook bt D Wilkinson 11/1.