KO Plate Final: Mapperley CC 2-4 Ruddington SAS (29/09/14)

[Mike Langdon]

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Frame Scores
Andy Wain   47-16   Steve Butler
Andy Wain   71-14   Ant Moore
Joe Major   52-52   Steve Burrows (won black Ball Re-spot)
Joe Major   26-73   Steve Butler
Don Merry   10-72   Ant Moore
Don Merry   50-73   Steve Burrows

Match Report
Excellent final played between the two teams at Lenton Liberal Club which saw Ruddington SAS pull back the match from two frames down.

Andrew Wain was in superb form winning the opening two frames to give Mapperley a dream start.  Some great long potting and regular scoring saw off Steve Butler in the opener before breaks of 23+22 were compiled in his excellent win against Ant Moore.

Joe Major continued where Wain left off racing into an early lead against Ruddington's Steve Burrows. Then came the moment that seemed to change the momentum of the whole match.  With just 1 red left and a lead of 20 points Joe has a free ball and nominates the brown which is over the middle pocket.  Ruddington SAS slump back in their seats knowing they're about to go 3 down.  Joe plays the shot yet pushes the brown onto the jaw of the pocket which comes back collides with the cue ball and snookers Steve from the remaining red.  Foul 4 and free ball is called and Steve takes full advantage clearing down to the black and then forcing a re-spot which he goes on to win with an excellent pot in the yellow bag. 2-1 game on!!!

In the next frame Steve Butler compiles the matches highest break, a superb 61 in which he executed superb positional play throughout to level the match up. 

The 5th frame saw Mapperley skipper Don Merry go down to Ant Moore who found his potting boots making a nice 25 break to put his team ahead for the first time.

The final frame was a very tactical encounter with all the reds being sent to the wrong end of the table.  Scoring was slow but some excellent safety play from both players kept the frame interesting.  In the end Steve Burrows gradually pulled ahead and finally got his opponent to the snookers required stage.  Another twist or two? oh go on then...Steve goes in off meaning Don can now win if he clears up from the brown.  He sets about his business and ge

[Mike Langdon]

...and the reporter runs out of space to write the report 

Don plays an excellent pot on the pink with the rest and tries to develop the black which is on the bottom cushion.  The cue ball develops the black but unfortunately for Don the cue ball shoots off into the corner pocket to effectively hand the match to Ruddington.

Very well played to both teams and a huge thankyou to Lenton Liberal Club for the use of their superb club.

[Andy Carnell]

Congratulations to both teams on the night for a great exciting Plate final ..so near yet so far yet again for Mapperley..lol..well done to Steve on his excellent break on the night,his second  high break of the season against Mapperley hopefully see Ruddington SAS again in the Winter league as they have certainly made the league stronger

[Steve Butler]

It was a great final with all sorts of twists and turns.  It's been an enjoyable and successful season for us.

Many thanks to Mike for running the league through the summer and also for refereeing the final.  It's much appreciated.