Crucible win Legends event in Reading

THE Crucible Newbury snooker team put on a fine performance on the finals day of the 900 Legends team event at their sister club in Reading last week.

The competition is the brain child of club co-owner Jason Francis who has been running the event for individuals but this is the first time he has opened it up to teams in a Ryder Cup format which was streamed live on You-Tube.

The competition was fierce as Crucible Newbury battled their way through to finals day in which they played a round robin event.

They were certainly the outsiders as the other two finalists, Senior Goats and Crucible Reading, consisted of ex professionals and top amateurs from around the south of England.

Each team played against each other in a series of singles and doubles matches with a frame lasting 15 minutes.

The player who was ahead at the end of the allocated time secured a point for his team.

The action saw all three sides claim one match victory each where all of Newbury’s players secured vital frames.

The only way to separate the teams was by way of a blue ball shootout.

Captain Andy Bolter put in his best five and the first round was a nervy affair but Chris Rice and John Hunter safely converted and were matched by the Senior Goats with Crucible Reading missing out.

If the tension of the first round was bad enough, the second was unbearable for those playing and watching, whether in person or television.

Craig Marsh rattled his blue when he thought it had dropped and Chris Rice couldn’t replicate his heroics from the first shootout.

Neil Winkworth was also unlucky as his effort caught the jaw of the pocket and it was left to Phil Bolter to keep Newbury’s hopes alive.

The Seniors also had a wobble and up stepped ‘the ice man’ John Hunter to sink the final blue which saw Newbury take the trophy and £2,000 first prize.