HEADLINES
SCORPIONS STING HARD TO LIFT THE CUP AFTER ROCKERS FIGHTBACKScorpions 7-7 Rockers (Scorpions win 15-13 on aggregate)
Jonny Thompsons Scorpions are the new 2011/2012 season Home & Away Cup Champions. After a fantastic 2 Legs of Pool in the Final against The Rockers they prevailed 15-13 to lift their first ever piece of major silverware. It was a popular and hard earned win as on their route to glory they had to overcome Monkstown (15-9), Pirates (15-12), Spartans (15-14) and this 15-13 win against The Rockers. Scorpions led 4-2 on the night and 12-8 overall at one stage, but they looked to be down and out as Rockers reeled off 5 in a row to lead 13-12 with 3 frames to play. Alas for John McClean's team they were not able to keep the momentum up and Scorpions held their nerve to win the last 3 on the trot and start off the celebrations.
Frame by Frame (Scorpion wins in red, Rockers in blue)
1-0 J. Nelson took control from the start and eventually finished precisely against A.Arbuthnot
2-1 After a tactical battle with G.Crawley G.McCorry ripped out a perfect finish
2-2 J.Nelson could only stand and watch as J.Johnston ran out a delightful break & dish
3-2 Another tactical frame, this time C.Rafferty ousting A.Arbuthnot
4-2 C.Montgomery Jr always had the edge and eventually finished well against G.Crawley
4-3 P.Harris took advantage of the frame and chose his moment to finish well.
4-4 R.Butler potted 7 colours in a row from the break but missed a black to the middle. When he did get another shot at it he fluked it in off 2 cushions
4-5 Great finish from P.Harris
4-6 Probably the most exciting frame of the night as both players missed opportunities before J.Johnston edged J.Nelson to draw Rockers level on aggregate at 12-12
4-7 C.Rafferty looked set to take the frame but a wonder cut from distance by W.Lewis put the Rockers ahead overall at 13-12.
5-7 G.McCorry kept Scorpions hopes alive by ripping out a fine finish against R.Butler
6-7 Like his team mate R.Butler in frame 8 W.Lewis took out 7 colours from the break but missed the black in the same middle pocket. C.Rafferty took control and won the frame.
7-7 Both team Captains were working out who they might put in for a sudden death play off frame in frame 29, but it wasn't needed as in a frame that swung first one way then the other a few times over, W.Smyth held himself together to sink the final black off the match to send his team mates wild with delight. Scorpions were 2011/2012 Home & Away Cup Champions.
In the photo above - Colin Montgomery Sr shows his eternal dedication to the Scorpions Pool Team