St Michael’s B celebrate

St Michael’s B celebrate

29 March 2017

COLIN Flanagan’s St Michael’s B team ended its long wait for silverware, as they claimed the famous Thomas Breen cup over a gallant Drumaness in last Sunday’s final.

The match was played out before a packed St Patrick’s Hall in Newtownards, where Oliver McGuigan had the tables in immaculate condition and oversaw the all-important draw.

The first two pairings pitched Gary Rodgers against Sean Burns and Seamus McGivern against Liam Campbell, leaving old adversaries Marty Singh and Colin Flanagan to contest the last game. 

The Rodgers v Burns match was a nip and tuck affair, with neither able 

to stamp their authority on proceedings.

When one player threatened to steal a march, the other seemed to respond, so that it was no surprise when the score reached 123 points apiece.

However, Burns then managed to gain a bit of momentum in the final stages to eventually run out the winner at 200-163.

On the other table, the McGivern v Campbell match was looking better for Drumaness as McGivern, with early breaks of 19 (twice) and 23, took a 57-point lead. 

Campbell tried in vain to get back in touch, but was living on scraps as McGivern forged ahead.

Further regular scoring visits brought the finishing line into sight, but as McGivern went off the boil slightly, Campbell rallied to get 85 on the board. 

As the number crunching was done in and the position of the match was confirmed, Marty Singh and Colin Flanagan chalked up with Drumaness man Singh taking a 38-point lead into their decider. 

Things began promisingly for Drumaness in the early exchanges, as Singh established a 25-7 lead.

However, his usual silky touch deserted him and a series of near misses presented easy starters for the grateful Flanagan. 

A brace of 26 breaks took the St Michael’s captain clear and before long he had wiped out the 38-point deficit.

With Singh failing to find the form that had taken him to the individual semi-final this year, Flanagan kept piling on the pressure and the points.

Further breaks of 22, 23 and 24 took him to within six points of victory.  Moments later, he broke the 200-point barrier and Singh, back on 104, graciously conceded defeat.

League treasurer and billiards correspondent Robert Pollock did the honours, commiserating with the losing Drumaness players before presenting the magnificent trophy to a delighted Colin Flanagan.

Flanagan joked, “We actually won a cup,” before thanking the Drumaness squad for a sporting match and St Patrick’s for hosting the final.

He paid special thanks to Gary Rodgers the Drumaness captain and main league sponsor, before everyone enjoyed the post-match refreshments.

DRUMANESS: 428

ST MICHAEL’S B: 490