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