This handicap competition is an annual tournament in honour of one of the club’s life members, Harry Penfold.  It is one of the most memorable of the club’s tournaments as it brings many of our members together in a one night show down, with scrumptious Setchfield’s pie and peas to boot!!

Last year’s champions, Tierney and Hammond were paired together again and  had high hopes of progressing deep into the tournament this year. Sibal and Kumar, two of the most consistent players in the club, were the bookies favourite.  However, only one of these pairs would make it into the second round, as the draw brought them together in the first round.  After a high scoring and close match, last year’s winners prevailed.

Two pairs stood out as of particular interest on the night.  Steele, one of the highest handicapped players in the club was partnering one of the best players in the club, Lintott.   Sykes was another of the highest handicapped players and he was partnered with Sibal Junior.  Sibal Jnr, still in his teens, was the youngest player of the competition.

Both playing some good snooker, these two pairs made it to the final.  With a 4 point handicap lead, Sibal Jnr. and Sykes hoped to increase this as soon as possible, thereby putting pressure on their opponents, early doors.  This didn’t happen. In fact the reverse occurred with solid potting by Lintott making a number of good breaks.  One of these pots was a tremendous double on a red.  The cue ball was close to the black cushion and the side cushion, the red was  on the same side cushion close to the middle pocket.  A pot just wasn’t on was it?  Lintott purposively smashed the cue ball onto the right hand edge of the red, the white flew off out of control up and down the table.  That didn’t matter because Lintott knew exactly what the red would do –  it doubled and  flew straight into the middle pocket on the other side of the table.  This was met with generous applause from the watching crowd.  Steele wasn’t to be out done by his partner with some brilliant cuts into the middle pocket and good safety play.  Sibal Jnr. and Sykes had played well in three matches to get to the final, but unfortunately didn’t get a ‘look in’ here.   They conceded the match after Lintott made a 13 point break putting Lintott and Steele ahead 44 points on the brown.  The president, Dave Tierney presented the trophies.

Congratulations Tim Lintott and Roy Steele,

Penfold Doubles Champions, 2024.

And let’s not forget the runners up, Jai Sibal and Dave Sykes

As usual, the Spring Handicap this year has been very popular with members of the club, with 32 entrants. And so, Rich Murphy and Adam O’Donnell have had to win four matches to reach this final.  Indeed, on their way, they have both beaten some of the best players in the club.  Well done guys.

Good mates, they both wished each other an emotional ‘all the best’ before the break off.  This final was always going to be a little different.  The players had the same handicap, used the same cue and both liked the music of the Arctic Monkeys to accompany the match.    

Unfortunately for O’Donnell the scores did not stay equal for very long and an ‘in off’ from the break was a sign of what was to come.  Murphy potted well right from the start and when the fifth red was potted he was already 20 points ahead.  O’Donnell was clearly not on his best form and missed a number of pots he would have expected to get.  His frustration was heard after one miss through a self critical expletive. 

In contrast, Murphy was in top gear, smoothly potting reds and colours at will.  A fantastic four reds, three blacks, and one pink – 31 break by Murphy seemed to put the match beyond O’Donnell’s reach.  At 57 pts to Murphy and 10 pts to O’Donnell, six snookers were required well before the reds were down.  Nevertheless, with great determination, O’Donnell stuck to the task and achieved three snookers and brought the deficit down to 33 with only 3 more snookers needed.  Murphy looked concerned at this point and admitted to sweaty palms – the game seemingly won after his 31 pt. break.   Alas, there was no miracle come back, and Murphy won on the brown 71 points to 26.     

Congratulations Rich Murphy and commiserations Adam O’Donnell.   May you enjoy your Arctic Monkeys in less stressful situations in the future.   Vice President Dave Sykes presented the trophies to the finalists.

Champion                                     Vice President                    Runner Up

Rich Murphy                                   Dave Sykes                      Adam O’Donnell