Knockout Shield Semi Final
Spartans 8-4 Scorpions
Tommy Maguires Spartans booked their place in the Knockout Shield Final for their first ever time with an 8-4 win over Jonny Thompson's Scorpions. In the opening frame it was J.Thompson himself who led by example and gave his side a 1-0 lead with a delightful 8 ball clearance, never losing position once. But it was soon 1-1 when E.McDowell pulled off an equally as good 8 baller in frame 2. Spartans then led with a win from a confident S.McWhirter, but an exquisite break and dish from A.Toner levelled the scores again. The next 2 were shared, McDowell again for the hosts and C.Howard for the visitors. In the final frame before the interval Toner finished well to give Scorpions a 4-3 lead in this race to 8 knockout match. But whatever Maguire said to his team during the interval paid off as they won the next 5 frames in a row to secure a Final spot courtesy off McDowell again (now 3/3), S.Burns with an 8 ball clearance, McWhirter (now 2/2), J.Kane and R.Hawkins.
And what a game we have in prospect next Tuesday (21st December) in the Harbour Point Bar as Spartans square up to John McClean's unbeaten Rockers in the Final. Come early and hold on to your seats folks it's going to be an exciting night.