What a belter of a match this was in the Harbour Point Bar, Carrick. It had everything, excitement, drama, good pool and some not so good pool. A typical nervy final. John McClean's Rockers (pictured right) have won the 2010/2011 Knockout Shield, but not without a severe test from Whitehead Spartans. Rockers trailed 4-1 but stormed back to lead 7-6 before Spartans rallied in the last to level at 7-7 and force a single frame sudden death decider. With the clock at 12.35am it was Paul Harris who potted the final black of the night to take the Shield back to Jacqs Bar in the town.
Frame 1 - A.Arbuthnot went early, didn't finish and R.Hawkins eventually edged the win. 1-0 Spartans.
Frame 2 - R.Butler hung a difficult black to let in E.McDowell to finish. 2-0 Spartans.
Frame 3 - S.McWhirter outfought D.Whiteside. 3-0 Spartans.
Frame 4 - Rockers Captain J.McClean steadied the ship with a win over J.Kane. 3-1 Spartans.
Frame 5 - E.McDowell wins his 2nd frame ousting P.Harris. 4-1 Spartans.
Frame 6 - S.Carson rips out an 8 ball clearance against S.Burns. 4-2 Spartans.
Frame 7 - A.Arbuthnot was always in control against K.English. 4-3 Spartans
Frame 8 - E.McDowell had to dig deep against J.McClean in a marathon frame. 5-3 Spartans.Frame 9 - R.Butler hung the black again and R.Hawkins finished. 6-3 Spartans.
Frame 10 - D.Whiteside got his revenge on S.McWhirter. 6-4 Spartans.
Frame 11 - P.Harris breaks and dishes against J.Kane. 6-5 Spartans.
Frame 12 - D.Lowe finishes a whisper out on the black and young S.Carson clears up with a fantastic black. 6-6.
Frame 13 - D.Whiteside meets S.McWhirter for the 3rd time and The Rocker puts his side ahead for the 1st time in the match. 7-6 Rockers.
Frame 14 - The final frame and R.Hawkins defeats R.Butler for the 2nd time to level. 7-7.
Play Off Frame - It's victory for The Rockers as P.Harris holds his nerve against J.Kane with a 6 ball clearance, to the delight of his Captain and team mates. Final Result 8-7 Rockers.
A great advert for local pool. Thanks go to The Pirates Pool Team and The Harbour Bar for hosting the match, and to referees on the night Derek Whiteside and Hugh McMurtry.