Aidan Murray pinches third round

Billiards Scratch series, Aidan Murray pinches third round.

The third tournament of the Scratch Billiards series was played at the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club in Carlow on Sunday, 25th of November 2012. Aidan Murray (Wicklow), having made a good start to the season by getting to every final so far, advanced his position in the rankings by taking the season’s third scratch tournament title.

The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Aidan Murray (Wicklow) and Brendan Devlin (Celbridge), each having had good wins against Kevin Christie (Portmarnock) and Robert McCrum (Celbridge) respectively. In the semi final, Aidan was always in command and eventually took the game by 415 to 134.

The bottom half of the draw saw a similar pattern to the top half, all matches being easily won by significant margins. In the semi final, between Larry Drennan (Kilkenny) and Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory), who earned their semi final places with wins over Aonghus McAnally (Portmarnock) and Victor O’Gorman (Dun Laoghaire) respectively, though close at times, was always going to Larry leaving Joe trying to catch up, which he never quite managed to do.

By comparison with the earlier rounds, the Final was a superb game between two of the most accomplished players on the national scene. Larry was first to show, scoring more solidly than Aidan until, with a break of 55, Aidan reduced the deficit to within thirty points. Larry’s response was to knock in a magnificent 102, leaving Aidan with a gulf to overcome and just under half an hour left on the clock

As the game progressed, Aidan gradually whittled the deficit down to 35 points, only to see Larry draw clear again. Undaunted, Aidan stuck to his task, bringing the deficit back to 41. After a no score visit by Larry, and with just under two minutes left on the clock, Aidan, on a break of 35, and having lost his opponent’s ball, asked for the difference in scores. The referee declined to answer and when the break reached 44, Aidan then asked for the current scores.

He was told Larry: 273; Aidan: 232 on the board, break score 44. Seemingly confused by the scores, and perhaps not quite convinced that, for the first time in the game, he had actually gained the lead, he missed a short range straight pot red to centre. With all minds now keenly focused on the scores, Larry came to the table with 17 seconds to go and a mid table in off red available. Though slightly wider than true half-ball, this was a shot no one expected Larry to miss.

The ball jangled tantalisingly in the jaws just as the clock signalled time, momentarily hung on the lip, but stayed out to deprive Larry of a tie-break play-off. Well played Aidan and commiserations to Larry, but congratulations to both on a thrilling finish to an absorbing final.

The next Scratch Billiards round of the season takes place at the Ivy Rooms, Carlow on Sunday, 2nd December 2012. The format will be seeded draw best-of-three 150up. Entries will be accepted before 10.30am on the morning of the event.

Our thanks are due to Jim Leacy for the excellent facilities at The Ivy Rooms and Marian and staff for their help on the day.

Results(all matches 90 minutes):

Quarters

Aidan Murray  (Brk:  96,  62)  407  –  140  Kevin Christie

Brendan Devlin  310  –  243  Robert McCrum

Joe Doheny  (Brk:  62,  61)  520  –  219  Aonghus McAnally

Victor O’Gorman  246  –  355  Larry Drennan

Semi-Finals

Aidan Murray  415  –  134  Brendan Devlin

Joe Doheny  321  –  388  Larry Drennan

Final

Aidan Murray  (Brk:  55)  276  –  273  Larry Drennan  (Brk:  102)