Six of the best clinches Seniors title for Lilly

DHARMINDER Singh Lilly has clinched his first Cuestars snooker title.

Six tournament wins on the trot earned the 50-year-old from Fareham £300 for finishing top of the Seniors (40+) Tour rankings.

Lilly knocked out his title rival Paul Davis in the last-16 of the ninth and final leg at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury, but still had to win the event to overtake the defending champion.

He took the first frame of a high-quality final against Lun Lee (Orpington) after a lengthy initial safety battle. Lun responded in the next with a classy 57 break to set up a decider that was worth £450, including £150 for winning the season finale, to his opponent.

But the former IBSF World Masters champion played a perfect final frame, keeping things tight with good safety and solid scoring when given the chance.

Lee said: “Dharminder was just too good. I didn’t get a look at a pot in the decider.”

Earlier, the last-16 match between Lilly and Davis (Wareham) drew quite a crowd as the rankings title was on the line.

Lilly took the first frame but, as is often the case, Davis dug deep to claim the second and set up a crucial decider. Although Davis played some exceptional safety to stay in the frame, ultimately it was Lilly who had all the answers and he clinched the match.

This meant Davis had an agonising wait as his fate relied on someone else now stopping Lilly from winning the competition and also claiming the rankings title.

Meanwhile, Kevin Palmer (Coulsdon) and Garry Coulson (Southbourne) enjoyed impressive last-16 victories over Martin Wallace (Wokingham) and Anthony Cutler (Poole) respectively.

Steve Wheatland (Chandler’s Ford) and Jason Pusser (Bournemouth) both had successful days by reaching the semi-finals.

And the “Great Raymondo” Ray Grall finally lived up to his nickname by qualifying for the knockout with excellent wins over Alex Kirchin (Leighton Buzzard) and Pete Ebbins (Bournemouth).

The Staines cueist even took a frame off Lilly. In fact, Lilly recorded the day’s highest break of 107 in the decider.

Tournament director Chris Wyatt said: “Bad luck to Paul Davis who has led the rankings for the majority of the season only to be pipped right at the end. Knowing Paul, I’m sure he will come back fighting next season.

“Thanks to the Crucible, Newbury, and staff for hosting. The tables played fantastic and we were looked after as always.

“On a personal note, I would like to thank all the players that have participated this season. The events are a pleasure to run and I look forward to seeing you all next season.”

The event was sponsored by The Crucible Sports & Social Club (www.cruciblesports.co.uk).

BREAKS

Dharminder Singh Lilly: 107, 89, 78, 62, 47, 43, 42,
Garry Coulson: 57, 53, 47.
Lun Lee: 57, 53, 45, 44, 42.
Anthony Cutler: 56, 52, 43, 40.
Alan Harvey: 55.
Paul Davis: 50, 48, 45, 42, 41.
Sean Reeves: 49.
Kevin Palmer: 48, 43.
Jason Pusser: 48.
Paul Morrison: 45.
David Beakhouse: 42.

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP POSITIONS

GROUP A: 1st, Lun Lee (Orpington); 2nd, Paul Davis (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 3rd, Neil Herd (Salisbury SC).

GROUP B: 1st, Dharminder Singh Lilly (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Ray Grall (Hayes WMC); 3rd, Alex Kirchin (Dunstable SC); 4th, Peter Ebbins (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

GROUP C: 1st, Anthony Cutler (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, Kevin Palmer (Frames, Coulsdon); 3rd, Franco Carchedi (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, Simon Jones (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

GROUP D: 1st, Martin Wallace (Crucible, Newbury); 2nd, Garry Coulson (St James Institute, Bournemouth); 3rd, Mark Thomas (Shots, Watford); 4th, Daryl Sims (Woking SC).

GROUP E: 1st, Jason Pusser (St James Institute, Bournemouth); 2nd, Steve Wheatland (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Gareth Samuel (Lytchett & Upton RBL); 4th, Steve Read (Chandlers Ford SC).

GROUP F: 1st, Dennis Tristram (Shots, Watford); 2nd, Neil Carroll (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Simon Peacock (Salisbury SC); 4th, Alex Greenham (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

GROUP G: 1st, David Beakhouse (Trinity SC, Henley); 2nd, Carl Davies (St James Institute, Bournemouth); 3rd, Andy Savage (The Reardon, Stoke-on-Trent); 4th, Darren Johnson (Petersfield Bowls & Snooker Club).

GROUP H: 1st, Paul Morrison (West Byfleet SC); 2nd, Alan Harvey (Chertsey SC); 3rd, Sean Reeves (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 4th, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC).

KNOCKOUT RESULTS

LAST-16 (10 POINTS): Lee 2-0 Grall, Davies 2-0 Morrison, Pusser 2-1 Carroll, Palmer 2-1 Wallace, Coulson 2-1 Cutler, Wheatland 2-0 Tristram, Harvey 2-1 Beakhouse, Lilly 2-1 Davis.

QUARTER-FINALS (12 pts, £10): Lee 2-1 Davies, Pusser 2-0 Palmer, Coulson 1-2 Wheatland, Harvey 0-2 Lilly.

SEMI-FINALS (15 pts, £25): Lee 2-0 Pusser, Wheatland 0-2 Lilly.

FINAL (25/18 pts, £150/£70): Lilly 2-1 Lee.

By Chris Wyatt and Tim Dunkley