'uri' ); ?> Lunn and Hall Show Their Class at T9B Annual Scotch Doubles 2014

Lunn and Hall Show Their Class at T9B Annual Scotch Doubles 2014

A Pro9 - Europe's No.1 Pool Player Resource Article

http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/



Date: Sunday, November 16 2014 @ 22:42:19 UTC
Topic: Total 9 Ball



Total 9 Ball Annual Scotch Doubles 2014
The St Albans Hurricane Room
Unit 8 Verulam Industrial Estate
224 London Road
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 1JF
www.hurricaneroom.co.uk
www.total9ball.com - entrants and chat

Saturday 15 November 2014




Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.

Lunn and Hall Show Their Class at T9B Annual Scotch Doubles 2014
Saturday 15th November was the date chosen for the annual T9B Scotch Doubles Championships 2014. The venue for this year’s event was the fantastic St Albans Hurricane Room and they sure looked after us by re-clothing all of the tables in the venue just two days before this brilliant event.

Many teams stuck with their partners from last year, Phil Wildman - Mark Parker (Team T9B), Courtney Symons - Tom Staveley (Don The Smeucci) and the reigning champions Craig Osborne and Phil Morgan (Team Shotgun).

Scotch doubles is normally a very hard event to organise as the date selected has to be perfect for lots of players to get enough teams involved to make it worthwhile, T9B put in the hours to make sure there was enough awareness of the event and an impressive 14 teams arrived to do battle.

To maximise value for the players T9B used their 2x double chance system for this event. This meant each team was guaranteed two tense knockout matches and also opened up the jackpot for a team that remained undefeated throughout the event.

T9B handicapped the event to give each team a chance of winning the event and although there was no scotch form to go on… I think we pretty much hit the nail on the head as lots of matches were close in their score lines or players from the losing teams afterwards said… We had chances we felt it was a level game.

Thanks to Dynamic Billard for sponsoring this event.

Share this article on FaceBook





"Read More..." for further details!


Matches began at 10.30am after the draw was completed by Chris Seville. The first round of matches saw some great match-ups and as there was no seeding, many teams needed to hit top gear and fast. Team T9B began a bit sluggish as they took on Show Me The Money (Nick Hampton and Rich Twomey). It was banter galore as Wildman missed an easy 9ball in the opening rack, Nick and Rich raced into a 6v3 lead and looked home and hosed until tables turned. It was now time for Nick Hampton and Rich Twomey to throw in a few uncharacteristic mistakes as Rich left Nick hooked a few times and Nick missed a couple of good chances with the table at his teams mercy. Mark and Phil ran out 7v6 winners. Hall and Lunn were the only team representing the north of the country as they made the 170 mile journey to be part of this unique event in the T9B Calendar. First up for the Northern raiders was the Local team of Mike Stanley and Mikko Tuomi. So it was the team who travelled the furthest against the team who could almost walk to the venue. Mike And Mikko are regular players at the Hurricane Room and it showed as they seemed to gel together as team really quickly taking a magnificent 5v0 lead, unfortunately for M&M, Chris Hall and Mark Lunn at this point stepped up and showed why there are rated as two of the best amateur players in the country reeling off the next seven racks to advance 7v5. I spoke with Mikko after the match and he said ‘myself and Mike were happy with the way we played, we were taking out our chances well until our chances STOPPED!!! Mikko added ‘from 5v0 Chris and Mark played flawless pool’, he said ‘I believe we only visited the table on three occasions in the last seven racks and each time we were hooked’. Unlucky to Mike and Mikko but I guess this shows why winner breaks is so exciting as comebacks are a lot more likely. Last year’s Champions Team Shotgun (Craig Osborne and Phil Morgan) were looking to make it two years in a row as their day began with a good 7v4 victory against Team PrOBably (Del Sim and Tony Burton) the team name designed as both players are sponsored by OB cues. Peter Smith and Keith Williams really should attend more T9B events as both are very capable players and seem to be unfazed by the pressures of tournament play, their event began with a good 7v5 win result against Team Dump and Dumper (Jed Thompson and Ricky Collett) Team Whatusayin (Liam Monk and Ricky Norris) started the event well winning 7v4 against the last minute pairing of Chris Seville and Jamie Bryan. Ricky is a former snooker player who was competing for the first time at competitive 9ball, Ricky seemed to be a potting machine and from the comments made by Ricky throughout the day I’m sure we will be seeing him at a lot more future events.

On the other side of the draw Mike Stanley and Mikko Tuomi were involved in anther tight match this time against Oli Waters and Pete Dorey. Mike And Mikko surrendered a large lead in their first match… this time it was them who were chasing as they were 6v3 behind, The next time I looked at the table it was 6v6 and it was Stanley at the table, with just four balls remaining Stanley had to dig at the cue ball as the object ball was in the jaws of the pocket, we all know it this is the hardest shot to judge especially on brand new cloth. Mike hit the white too well as he drew the cueball across the table unfortunately leaving his partner knuckled. Mikko fouled leaving the game at Oli and Pete’s mercy but wait would there still be another twist? Oli was left with the cue ball tight on the side rail and with a long 9ball for the match this match was by no means over. He stepped up to the table and missed the 9ball by a quite a margin, Unfortunately Mike and Mikko’s joy was short lived as the 9ball came off two rails straight into the top left pocket. A very harsh way to be eliminated from the competition. Other results from the first round are below.

Dump and Dumper (Collett and Thompson) 7v2 Chris Seville and Jamie Bryan

Team T9B (Parker and Wildman 7v3 Kev Woods and Mark Knightley

Don The Smeucci (Staveley and Symons) 7v5 Keith Williams and Pete Smith

Team Shotgun (Osborne and Morgan) 7v3 King Bamotra and Shark Bite (Bamotra and Rooke)

WhatuSayin (Monk and Norris) 7v5 Show Me The Money (Hampton and Twomey)

Lunn and Hall v Bye

Team ProBaley (Burton and Sim) v Bye

At this point of the day it was time for T9B break-dish fever to take over. As this was an open event the T9B Open break dish pot was carried over from the Sunday Series, this meant after sales the total pot available was £390, this was broken down to a cool £30 per ball potted with a £90 bonus for the clearance. The break-dish was slightly different this time as it was played as random scotch. Two tickets were drawn to pair each other. The first name out was Peter Smith and he was paired with Mark Lunn. Mark was chosen to break off and he hit the break so sweet sinking one ball and leaving good shape on the one ball for his partner. Peter’s only trouble was landing on the two ball as there was a lot of traffic. Pete potted the one ball but with no position. Mark and Pete collected £60 so £30 per player. Next up was Craig Osborne and Mark Knightley shooting for a reduced pot of £5 per ball with a £50 clearance bonus. Craig managed a brilliant 3 balls off the break. Unfortunately Mark was left a tough shot on the next ball and missed. The break dish pot therefore showed a profit at this event and the prize of £330 before sales will roll over to the last Sunday series event at High Wycombe on Sunday 30th November.



Back to the main event as teams were eager to hit each other with the killer blow. Talking of killing blows… Hall and Lunn made light work of Don The Smuecci (Courtney and Tom) in this round as they advanced 7v1. Team Shotgun should be called Team Kangeroo as there match with Team T9B was turned completely on its head by three very impressive jump shots by Phil Morgan. In the past I have been told about Phil Morgans jump shot ability but have never really seen it. Now I can safely say this guy has a talent with the short cue. At times Craig Osborne looked confused at Phil’s plans but each shot work unbelievably well and with spot on position. If there was a jump shot World Championships, I think Phil Morgan would be odds on favourite to win it. Shotgun 7 Team T9B 3 end result. WhatuSayin (Monk and Norris) continued their fine form as they ran out 7v3 victors against Pete and Keith. While the event outsiders Oli Waters and Pete Dorey were at it again impressively dispatching Woods and Knightley 7v2. Dump and Dumper (Collett and Thompson) played well to end Team T9B’s event 7v2. Don The Smeucci were two racks away from elimination as highest handicappers of the whole event Oli and Pete lead 5v0. Courtney and Tom however were ready for a fight and battled hard to win the next 7 racks to win 7v5. Team Shotgun (Morgan and Osborne) were the first team on the day to get the better of WhatuSayin (Monk and Norris) winning 7v3. The final result of round saw team PrOBably take Hall and Lunn to a final rack decider, Hall and Lunn however stayed focused and took out a nice clearance to take the match.



Quarter Final time and the level of play was about to up a notch or two as players were getting used to how their partners played and working well as a team. Hall and Lunn were again pushed all the way to hill-hill this time by Team Shogun (Morgan and Osborne) again though Hall and Lunn held there nerve and took the match 7v6. WhatuSayin (Monk and Norris) were proving to be a great pair as both players have experience at high level snooker, in their latest match they killed the dreams of Oli Waters and Pete Dorey 7v3. Don The Smeucci (Courtney and Tom) needed all racks available to defeat Dump and Dumper (Collet and Thompson). Dump and Dumper had the chance to advance, there were just four balls remaining when Jed Thompson crumbled under the pressure and left the match for Don The Smeucci. Some say Ricky after this match went straight for the top shelf spirits. The final Quarter Final match saw a high class rematch, Hall and Lunn vs Team Shogun (Osborne and Morgan) we were all expecting another close game with the score earlier in the event being 7v6. This time it was the complete opposite as Hall and Lunn looked the dream team winning 7v2.



Hall and Lunn were involved in both Semi Finals and therefore just two wins away from becoming the first ever T9B Scotch Doubles Jackpot winners could they complete this fantastic achievement? WhauSayin (Monk and Norris) were there first Semi Final opponents. Yet another thriller of a game here as the teams were all tied at 6v6, which way would this match go? Could Team WhatuSayin become the first to defeat Hall and Lunn???? Yes was the answer 7v6 therefore Whatusaying were the first team to reach the Final. Hall and Lunn were straight back in action this time there opponents were Don The Smeucci (Courtney and Tom) the losers of this match would be eliminated from the event. Surely after winning so many straight matches Hall and Lunn must at least reach the Final??? Again this was another close game with Don The Smeucci dominating the early proceedings. Would the disappointment of losing the chance of the Jackpot effect Hall and Lunn? NO they are far to experienced players to allow that to happen again winning another close well matched contest 7v5.



So at this stage of the event we knew our finalists. Hall and Lunn vs WhatuSayin (Monk and Norris) Hall and Lunn raced in to a 5v2 lead and looked to be running away to the title, it’s not in the nature of Team Whatusayin though to give anything less that 100% commitment as they closed the match up to 4v5. This comeback sparked Hall and Lunn back into predatory mode as they then took out the match and the Championship impressively 7v4.



So this year we have new Champions Chris Hall and Mark Lunn. I would say were the pre event favourites but given every team the minimum of 1 rack head start and some teams more racks makes this win an even greater achievement for The Lads from up North.



Thanks to Kim Rowlett for keeping the matches flowing and the event running smoothly, to Mark Parker for taking some action photo shots, to the Hurricane Room for supplying there top class facilities and also to our sponsors Dynamic Billiards and Ultimate BreakMaster.



Another brilliant event and at T9B the events keep coming, Next Saturday we are at The High Wycombe Hurricane Room for Undisputed ‘Judgement Day’ There are still a couple of spaces available for this event. The entry is £105, all matches are straight knock-out, winner breaks, race to 15 racks, 10ball call shot and call safe. Please message Phil Wildman asap to enter on 07795535051.


Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large photograph - use "back" to return here.



Click the image to view the large poster - use "back" to return here.









Enjoy the article? Now try this...



View Pro9's front page!

Chat about this article in our forums.

Visit The Pro Shop to see new cues and gadgets.

Check out the Pro9.co.uk calendar for details of more events.