The Player’s Lounge (TPL) on the Darkside hosted its annual Pool Club Championship last Sunday, August 28.
In front of a packed house the nine hopefuls eagerly awaited the draw which saw the defending champion and bookies favourite Simon Philbrook avoid the heavyweights of ‘Unlucky’ Bob Newell and ‘Motor Mouth’ Marston.
In the early stages of the group matches the atmosphere could have been cut with a knife as the lesser fancied players vied for an upset. ‘Slow Poison’ Young showed how to consistently miss a pot in Group A as he and ‘Yippie’ John, despite showing some early promise, propped up the table.
In Group B it was altogether a more classier affair where the club champion showed his class with victories over ‘Able’ Al and the club captain Tony the Glove. So there was no identity confusion Tony had ‘Tony the Glove’ embroidered on his shirt. Fes ‘Fastest on the Eastern Seaboard’ Lees, after a 5 month lay-off during which he must have been practicing, played beyond his capabilities to secure the last semi-final spot with a nail biting last ball victory over TPL owner ‘Mini’ Mick, who in turn provided much needed and excellent nibbles for the starving participants.
In the semi -final’s Simon, revitalised by the beef in Yorshire pudding with horseradish sauce, destroyed Motor Mouth more mentally than physically to win comfortably whilst ‘Unlucky’ Bob, with a large dose of luck overcame an inspired Fes to set up a much anticipated final.
The players entered the arena from the recently bleached men’s toilet to the inspirational sounds of Tom Jones and Tina Turner and the crowd went wild. Simon, the 2015 Club Champion, looked in supreme form as 5 balls disappeared and ‘Unlucky’ Bob could only watch from his stool in the corner. ‘Unlucky’ Bob rallied after some barracking from the now raucous crowd and with only 3 balls left on the table it was anyone’s game. Pressure mounted as an error from Bob allowed Simon the opportunity he and the baying crowd had been craving. But, an outrageous slice of luck came Bob’s way as Simon went in off with the black over the pocket. It was game over for the defending champion and ‘Unlucky’ Bob simply tapped the black ball in to take the title. The crowd provided some polite applause for the 2016 Club Champion as the trophy was handed over and berated the crestfallen loser for his error.
In the post match interview ‘Unlucky’ Bob said ‘I was so lucky today. In the final Simon was by far and away the better player and he deserved to win. I really need to be known as ‘Lucky’ Bob from now on.’
TPL are looking for new players with the new season fast approaching so please pop in and you never know, you might usurp ‘Lucky’ Bob and become the 2017 TPL Pool Club Champion.
