Fourth time lucky for Neil Carroll
NEIL Carroll declared “it’s nice to win” after making it fourth-time lucky in the Tuesday Singles League play-off at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.
The 52-year-old from Rownhams pocketed £120 prize money following a 2-0 victory over newcomer Paul Lawrence in the Series 15 final.
He won the second frame on a re-spotted black after his opponent needed a snooker on the pink.
Earlier, he recorded his first ever play-off victory over nine-time champion Mitch Wade by ending a 45-minute deciding frame in the last-four with a 25 clearance to win on the black.
“It’s good to beat Mitch and win the competition as well,” said Carroll. “I’d have been disappointed to have won it and not beaten Mitch on the way. You have to beat him to win this.”
A founder member of the league, Carroll has qualified for all 15 play-offs but had lost his three previous finals. He also plays on the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour and made a 77 break, his highest at Chandlers Ford SC, in the Open Series three days previously.
A new scratch league starts next Tuesday at 8pm. The weekly entry is £10, which also covers free practice before the matches from 7pm and after until 11pm. The top eight after ten weeks qualify for the play-off.
Explaining the attraction, Carroll, an O2 project manager, said: “It’s scratch singles. They are a good bunch of lads. I enjoy coming up here every Tuesday. It’s not just for the matches, you get to practise as well. It’s good value.”
Asked whether he just plays for the competition, Carroll replied: “I do… but you want to win. It’s nice to win. It doesn’t happen very often these days.”
TUESDAY LEAGUE PLAY-OFF RESULTS (PRIZE MONEY)
Quarter-finals (£15): Mitch Wade 2-0 Dave Nunn, Paul Lawrence 2-0 Marc Russell, Dan Hammond 2-0 Carlo Cavagnetto, Neil Carroll 2-1 John Barton.
Semi-finals (£30): Carroll 2-1 Wade, Lawrence 2-0 Hammond.
Final (£120/£60): Carroll 2-0 Lawrence.
Picture by Tim Dunkley
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)