Larne League Champions The Thatch Bar have just claimed the 2015 NIPA
Blackball Champions of Champions title for the third year in a row. The
competition was
played in the Primacy Sports Bar, Bangor on Sunday 28th June as the NIPA
calendar for 2014/2015 drew to a close. The two favourites on paper
Thatch and Shooters Sharks were drawn together in the Prelim round and
although Sharks fought back strongly after a slow start it was Thatch
who edged over the line at 11-9. In the first round proper Thatch
strolled into the Semi Finals after an 11-2 win against Ballynahinch
team, The Oaks whilst Ballymena Champions the In Betweeners overcame
Ards Champions Barracudas 11-9 in a tense struggle. Carrick Champions
the
Swift made the Semis after coming from behind to oust Ballyclare
Champions McConnells by 11-8 and finally Carrick Knock Out Cup winners
the Galacticos overcame the Rowallane Inn from Ballynahinch by 11-5. To
the Semi Finals, and Thatch were never in trouble as they reached the
Final after a comfortable 11-4 success over the In Betweeners. But what a
match we had in the second Semi as an all Carrick derby seen
Champions the Swift take 5-1 and 9-6 leads only for the Galacticos to
storm right back and take all five frames in the last session for an
11-9 success and the local bragging rights. But Thatch weren't going to
be
denied and went on to win the Final 13-8. It may have been a different
story though if a couple of missed blacks at crucial times by Galacticos
had dropped in the pockets. The question now is, can anyone stop the
Thatch making it 4 in a row next season ?
In the Plate
Event Oaks gave the Sharks a scare before eventually falling 3-6.
Rowallane Inn led 4-1 against McConnells but it was the latter who got
over the line at 6-4 to reach the Final. And in the Bangor v Ards derby
match it was Barracudas who edged it 6-5 with a special mention for a
fantastic clearance by Gary Wylie in the 11th and deciding frame. The
final was also a tight affair between McConnells and Barracudas but it
was the Ballyclare team who edged it 8-6 to lift the Plate.
Top overall scorers on the day were Gerry McCorry and Jonny Nelson both on 11 frames
|
Champions - Thatch Bar |
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Runners Up - Galacticos |
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Plate Winners - McConnells |