The Republic Of Ireland team won the Annual North V South Billiards International which was played in N. Ireland this weekend featuring our top billiards players. This event is a very popular event on the calendar and it was another exciting event with only two points difference in the end of play. Well done !!!
The annual Billiards International North-South Challenge Tournament took place at the Classic Snooker Club, Glengormley on Saturday and Sunday, 25th and 26th April last. The format of the series was that each team of eight was divided into two groups of four. This meant that each player met four opponents from his corresponding group, with the consequence that all benefited from the variety of the games the format provided.
The Southern team made a solid start, taking the first two sessions 6-2. The Northern team responded, taking the next session 5-3. The Southern team then moved further ahead, taking Saturday’s final session 6-2, leaving the Southern team in a strong overnight position with a 10-point lead.
When Sunday’s first session went to the Northern team 6-2, reducing the deficit to 6 points, we had the intriguing prospect of a very balanced tournament, which might go all the way to the end. Sunday’s second session was shared, maintaining the points differential. The Northern team played very strongly in Sunday’s third session, reducing their deficit to a mere 2 points, leaving the final session of the tournament to determine the tournament outcome. The excitement of the final session was building as the results of each set came in, with the advantage swaying first one way, then the other until eventually the Southern team scored the four points required to wrest back the trophy for the first time since 2008.
Tournament results:
Session | Format | Republic | Northern |
1 Saturday 10:30 | 400 up, 90 minute time limit (4 x 2 points) | 6 | 2 |
2 Saturday 12:15 | 400 up, 90 minute time limit (4 x 2 points) | 6 | 2 |
3 Saturday 14:30 | 2 x 150-up (4 x 1 point per game) | 3 | 5 |
4 Saturday 16:30 | 2 x 150-up (4 x 1 point per game) | 6 | 2 |
5 Sunday 10:30 | 400 up, 90 minute time limit (4 x 2 points) | 2 | 6 |
6 Sunday 12:15 | 400 up, 90 minute time limit (4 x 2 points) | 4 | 4 |
7 Sunday 14:30 | 2 x 150-up (4 x 1 point per game) | 2 | 6 |
8 Sunday 16:00 | 2 x 150-up (4 x 1 point per game) | 4 | 4 |
Final scores | 33 | 31 | |
The Classic Snooker Club are to be congratulated for the excellent playing conditions at the venue. The warm welcome we received and the hospitality we enjoyed throughout the weekend did so much to contribute to the success of the tournament.
Commiserations to the North who, despite every effort, just failed to win back the trophy for the Home teamy and congratulations to the Republic of Ireland team who all played their part in winning the 2015 North-South Challenge Trophy.
JOE DOHENY, WAYNE DOYLE, LARRY DRENNAN, JOHN KEHOE, ROBERT McCRUM, AIDAN MURRAY, LLOYD MYERS, LIAM O’BRIEN, BRENDAN DEVLIN (Manager)
