The University of York Pool & Snooker Club travelled to Great Yarmouth for the BUCS 8-ball pool championships, comprising a field of over 460 players, taking 3 teams of 5 down with them; the Firsts captained by Club Talisman Mike Walsh, Seconds by Kane Needham, and Thirds by Club President Sean Kelly.
All three had high hopes, but it was the First team who were the real success story of the weekend. Following their run to the final of the 9-ball event earlier in the season, they came home with the BUCS 8-ball Team Championship and a whopping 50 BUCS points for the University.
Their journey to the final began with an excellent win in the group stage over fellow title contenders Edge Hill, York went on to top their group and book a spot in the last 16 of the competition. A dominant performance against Essex quickly established York’s championship winning credentials as they moved to the quarter finals, courtesy of a 6-0 whitewash. Here a much tougher test awaited them in the shape of a strong Exeter team, and after trading early frames the tension levels rose as York found themselves 5-4 down and one shot away from defeat. However, the pressure proved too much for Exeter as a narrowly missed black allowed Sam Wass the opportunity to capitalise and force the match to a play-off. Two composed performances from university pool stalwarts Luke Fleet and Mike Walsh gave York the two out of three play-off frames needed to march on to face Cardiff in the semi finals.
After a nervy opening few frames York’s strength and depth would prove too much for Cardiff as George Hogg and Russ Shaw won crucial frames to allow York to progress thanks to a 6-3 win. The final – being streamed live and available to watch on demand thanks to cuesport.tv – presented the opportunity for revenge following their narrow defeat to Edge Hill in the final of the 9-ball event. Buoyed by victory over their opponents in the group stage, York started in confident fashion Fleet won the first frame against individual champion Rhys Williams. After a break and clearance from Walsh against Edge Hill talisman Will Jerram, Sam Wass was faced with an almost unmissable black over the pocket to give York a commanding 3-1 lead. Unfortunately the black was only almost unmissable and one nervy swing of the cue arm later the black remained over the pocket to be happily tapped in by the grateful Edge Hill opponent. This was quickly followed by break and clearances from Williams and Jerram, as the momentum suddenly swung and Edge Hill found themselves 4-2 ahead.
However, an assured response from Shaw pulled a frame back for York, and Wass quickly made amends for his earlier miss to tie the match at 4—4. By now the pressure was clearly getting to both sides, and a time foul by the Edge Hill captain gave Fleet the chance to take the lead. He didn’t need asking twice to move York within one frame of victory.
In the final frame, anchorman Russ Shaw stepped up to the tv table in front of the large crowd and dictated the frame from the start, playing to his strengths and tying his opponents balls up at every opportunity. As the frame drew to a close after what seemed like an eternity, the tension rising with every tactical exchange, Shaw finally forced his opponent into a mistake and gave himself two tricky pots for glory. After converting his final yellow a thin cut on the black awaited, and whilst his team mates anxiously looked on Shaw got down to nonchalantly clip the black into the middle pocket and spark scenes of celebration from the York squad.
This is the first time York has won the BUCS pool championship and means that they have now done the double following their success in the UPC 9-ball championships two years ago. The win marks a fitting end to what has been an incredibly successful era for the club, as the graduating team can also look back on successes in the England University Pool Championships as well as final appearances in the 9-ball, 8-ball and BUCS snooker events. The 50 BUCS points earned at this event will be a welcome boost for York’s overall BUCS national league table position, as the club now looks ahead to finish the year off in style with an away win at Roses.
Ha, think I got a bit too much credit for my contribution to this article, well done to the Firsts on their amazing effort, and thanks again to Mike for writing this up! And thanks Yorkvision for getting the Club some well deserved media coverage!