2009/2010 NEIL CLARK MEMORIAL TROPHY – QUARTER-FINALS
For immediate release
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
NEWPORT LEGION AND SUTHERLAND ARMS
CRASH OUT OF NEIL CLARK MEMORIAL TROPHY
NEWPORT (Shropshire): The Navigation at Gnosall, Audco SC, the Railway Tavern and Junction A survived four thrilling quarter-final clashes in the 2009/2010 Neil Clark Memorial Trophy or Newport Pool League Cup on Wednesday night.
In a night of high drama and surprises, the Newport Royal British Legion and the league-leading Sutherland Arms were sent crashing out of the cup competition and were joined in the doldrums by the Navy Club and Lilleshall Sports Centre.
Superb play from Ben Clewes, Anthony Winfield, Louis Fudge and Ray Talbot ensured the Tavern claimed a memorable win against a stunned Legion at a packed Railway Tavern.
Mark Kijuk and Alan Pritchett starred for the Navy Club against the young Audco SC side and honours were shared heading into the doubles racks. But the youngsters prevailed and won both doubles frames to claim their place in the semi-finals.
The resurgent Junction A were taken to a tie-break frame against the Sutherland Arms at Norbury, but Hyla Marklew’s under-achieving side did the Staffordshire pub proud and claimed their place in the semi-final with a tie-break win. The Norbury team now travel to the Audco SC for their semi-final match.
It was approaching midnight when the Navigation sealed a 4-2 victory over Lilleshall Sports Centre in the fourth quarter-final. Alan Smart. Steve Whitlock and Scott Smith put the home side into a 3-0 lead, but the in-form George Haveron let Ian Roberts in to make a fine clearance to take the match into the doubles racks.
Greg Heathcote and Ben Longstatf edged a gruelling fifth frame to give the away side hope, but it was a bridge too far for the away side and, when Steve Whitlock jawed the black and left it over the pocket, Neil Perkins was unable to pot the visitors’ tricky final yellow and take the match into a tie-break frame. The Navigation now face a volatile trip to the Railway Tavern for their semi-final.
The Gnosall pub enjoyed a superb week of pool and leapt up the league table by beating Newport’s New Inn, 5-1, in a rearranged post-Christmas fixture. Whitlock, Smith and Haveron did the damage in the singles and only Jim Neville managed to win a frame for the visitors. They made it three wins in two days by edging Lillleshall Sports Centre, 4-2, in a second rearranged match held in conjunction with the cup match on Wednesday night.
All match forms are to be delivered to the Railway Tavern in Newport and match results sent immediately by text message to 07831 123153.
2009/2010 Neil Clark Memorial Trophy:
Quarter-final results:
Junction A v Sutherland Arms, 4-3
Railway Tavern v NRBL, 4-1
Navy Club v Audco, 2-4
Navigation v LSC, 4-2
Semi-final draw:
Audco v Junction A
Railway Tavern v Navigation
Semi-final matches to be played on Wednesday, April 21st
Week 7 league result:
Lilleshall Sports Centre v Navigation, 2-4
Week 6 league result:
Navigation v New Inn, 5-1
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Tel: 07831 123153
www.ndp-publicity.com