Wednesday, 27 September 2017

IBA 2017 roundup

The Orkney Pool teams have returned from another successful pool trip at the IBA Pool Championships which was played at The Players Lounge in Falkirk.

Despite an early defeat to the Orkney ‘B’ side The Men’s ‘A’ team topped their group and then went on to successfully defend their title with an 11-8 win over Orkney ‘B’. This is the first time a team final has been contested by 2 teams from the same islands and shows just how much depth of talent their now is on our islands. It is also the Orkney Mens fourth team title in a row. The Orkney Ladies also did great to reach the final but they lost out to a very strong Isle Of Man team by 8-5 in the final. Both men’s and ladies teams enjoyed group and semi final wins over island neighbours, Shetland.

In the men’s singles event Orkney had great representation with 5 players making it to the quarter finals, Neil Cormack, Shaun Spence, Nicol Holland, Darren Tait and Lee O’Hagan. From the 5 Orkney representatives it was Darren who made it to the final with victories over Lee and Neil. In the final however he came up across an on from David Addinall from the Isle of Man who won the match and the IBA singles title for the 2nd time, having last won it in Hull in 2008.

The Ladies singles saw a third consecutive title victory for Amanda Cutt of Shetland who defeated Teresa Evans from the Isle of Man in the final. Gemma Gunn was the only Orkney player to make the quarter finals as several of the Orkney ladies knocked each other out in the early stages. Also played at the event was a mixed doubles tournament which involves 2 players from different islands teaming up. This is the third year this has been played and it was Merv Sinclair and his partner Desley Stickle from Shetland who emerged victorious with a win over defending champions Rachael Sutherland David Addinall in the final.

In what was a fun and friendly yet competitive 4 days of pool, a massive thanks go to Steven ‘Santa’ Allison and his staff at the Players Lounge for providing such a great venue, to Davie Duncan for his great running of the event and to all the Orkney shirt’s sponsors Peter Thomson, Snak Pot, Heat Orkney and Leask Marine

The winning Men's team 'Orkney 'A' in the top picture with runners up 'Orkney 'B' below it

Above are the Orkney Ladies teams who took part at the IBA and below are the Men's C team

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