Hunter dethrones Campbell to claim billiards crown

Hunter dethrones Campbell to claim billiards crown

13 April 2016

THE 2016 billiards individual title was decided in front of an appreciative crowd in the Drumaness club.

In the semi-finals, Chris Scantlebury was up against 2014 champion and Queen’s Hall team-mate Tommy Hunter, while Chris Johnston, from St Patrick’s Newtownards took on defending champion Kenny Campbell, from Crossgar.

Scantlebury was well handicapped against Hunter, but when the latter banked an early 29 break followed by a lovely 87, there was only going to be one winner.

Further breaks of 56 and an unfinished 43 saw Hunter over the line at 200 points, with Scantlebury back on 92.

The other semi-final was a closer affair with Johnston seeking to build on his 60-point handicap advantage.

Both worked off their minus handicaps about the same time, before a 26 break quickly followed by a well-compiled 60, saw Campbell take the lead.

He added a further 40 break, before an unfinished 34 saw him past the winning post, with Johnston back on 72.

And so, after valiant performances from the beaten semi-finalists, bookies’ favourites Hunter and Campbell progressed to the showpiece final.  

With little between them on handicap, both players aimed to stamp their authority in the final. 

Hunter was first to show with a 25 break, which was soon countered by a 32 from Campbell.

Further breaks of 30 and 26 from Hunter had Campbell playing catch-up.  However, when two 20 breaks in quick succession saw Hunter into a useful 62 point lead, Campbell suddenly found his rhythm to stroke a nice 54 break.

This gave the watching Crossgar contingent something to cheer, as it brought their man to within eight points again at 78-70, but that was as good as it got.

When Campbell’s 54 broke down following an uncharacteristic missed -cannon, Hunter pounced to make a telling 95 break, which saw him close to within 27 points of the winning line at 173-70.

Defending champion Campbell battled on to reach 106, but when Hunter bagged the 22 points to take him to the required 200, he was champion again for the second time in three years.

After a great night’s billiards — there were no less than ten 30-plus breaks in the three matches — league treasurer Robert Pollock congratulated all four players before presenting the lovely trophy to a delighted Hunter.

The new champion commiserated with losing finalist Campbell and thanked the Drumaness club for hosting the finals in the usual superb playing conditions.