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
