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University Pool Season 2006-2007
Universities Pool Council
For further information contact:
Dr. Iorwerth Griffiths
Email: universitiespoolcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

Monday 18 December 2006

University of Nottingham Triumph in Universities Nine-Ball Championship

Riley�s Solihull was treated to a feast of pool, as University of Nottingham became only the second university to win the Team Championship defeating University of Gloucestershire in a keenly contested final. The Individual Championship was taken back to Wales with an irresistible performance from Emmanouil �Manos� Paspatis (Cardiff).

"Read More..." for the details.

In the Team Championship double elimination format, a surprise early casualty were holders Warwick being dispatched by shock package Edge Hill 1st which raised their hopes of glory before eventually succumbing in the Quarters, a notable performance at their first Championships. Also going well early on were York 1st, Nottingham 1st, Cardiff 1st and Essex 1st. Bristol 2nd earned bragging rights by progressing further than the 1sts with their semi final berth but it was not to be as they were overcome 2-0 by the impressive University of Nottingham 1st lead by Paul Edwards who is no stranger to university pool glory. In the other semi, University of Gloucestershire 1st upset the much fancied Cardiff 1st which included an inspirational captain�s performance from Mark Williams potting the winning 9-ball and inflicting the only defeat of the weekend against Cardiff�s Manos Paspatis.

The final promised to be evenly contested with it proving difficult for many to pick a winner. Damian Donavan capped off a fine weekend with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Nottingham�s Dane Skiba who struggled to raise his game to the occasion. Paul Edwards lead Mark Williams 3-2 in a nicely poised match on the second table whilst Nottingham were in contol on the third table with Adam Shaw holding a commanding 4-1 lead over Jon Gabb. The turning point was a missed 9-ball from Williams proved costly and Edwards ran away to a 5-2 victory. All attention switched to the table that would decide the Championship. Shaw had sailed to the hill and the 4-1 lead but was finding it hard to get a look at the 9-ball for victory. Gabb made a resilient comeback to make it 4-2 but after a tactical 7th rack, Adam Shaw was presented with a chance and he held his nerve for Nottingham�s first team victory at University pool.

From the early stages of the Individual Championship, the buzz around the venue was all about Cardiff�s Manos Paspatis making easy work of the early stages to the adulation of his Cardiff teammates. There were many in the room that felt they were the person to stop him though Paul Edwards, Damian Donavan and ex-BUSA Snooker Champion Pritesh Patel (Bristol) were also making steady progress. There were also some new players trying to make a name for themselves with noticeable performances from Merlin Fisher Levine (Bristol), Luke Fleet (York) and James Hill (Warwick).

At the semi final stage, Luke Fleet, confident following a defeat of Paul Edwards in their quarter final, was drawn to face Damian Donavan whilst Warwick�s James Hill faced Manos in the other. There were no upsets as Damian and Manos progressed to contest the final.

In the final, Manos got out of the blocks early and stormed into a 3-1 lead to the delight of the Welsh crowd. Damian Donavan, winner in the first UPC Nine Ball Individual Championship in 2004, was not going to allow this to be a one sided affair and clawed it back to 4-4 setting up a nervy one rack shootout for the title. After a couple of early exchanges, the first opportunity fell to Manos who showed fantastic composure to run out to victory.

Attention now switches to the BUSA-UPC Eight-Ball Shield that will be contested on the weekend of 10-11 February 2007 in McCluskeys, Spondon, Derbyshire.

9 December 2006

For further information contact:
Dr. Iorwerth Griffiths
Email: universitiespoolcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

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