Orkney Pool and Snooker Archives: IBA Round Up/ Success for Rachael Sutherland

On Wednesday 20^th September 2018 Orkney sent 3 men's and 2 women's teams down to Falkirk for the annual IBA tournament. The tournament also includes teams from the auld enemy Shetland, the Isle of Man and newcomers this year the isle of Bute. Once again, the Players’ Lounge in Falkirk run by Steven Santa Alison was the venue with 12 high quality tables used for 4 days of team and single events.

In the team events the men’s Orkney teams played against Shetland A and B, an Isle of man A, B and C and an Isle of Bute Men’s Team. After a round robin format the top 4 teams went through to the knockout stages. The top four in the group was Isle of man A, Orkney A, Shetland A and Isle of Bute. Commiserations to Orkney B who only just missed out on the Semi finals by frame difference and also to the Orkney C team who put in some good performances against top quality sides.

In the First Semi Final the Isle of Man A team defeated the Isle of Bute team to advance to the final. In the Second Semi Final the Orkney A team overcame their Northern neighbours Shetland A to also advance to the finals. With the Isle of Man beating Orkney A in the round robin Orkney were out looking for revenge however a very strong Isle of Man team beat Orkney A to claim their first IPA title since 2013.

In the Women’s event again a round robin format was used with 6 teams taking part. Orkney presented 2 teams along with Shetland and the Isle of Man to make a very competitive group. Topping the Group was Isle of Man A, behind them were Shetland A, Orkney A and Isle of Man B respectively. In the Semi Finals Shetland, A defeated Orkney A to book their place in the final and the Isle of Man B team Lost to Isle of Man A. Shetland A ran out to be Deserved Winners and claim the women’s team title for this year.

Congratulations to Isle of Man A and Shetland A for winning your team events and massive respect to all the teams who took part making another year of fantastic competitive play.

In the Singles David Addinall proved for the second year in a row why he regarded as one of the best players in the country by winning and in the women’s singles a massive congratulations to our own Rachael Sutherland who won the Ladies Singles and added another achievement to her ever-growing collection.

A big mention must also go to Darren Tait and Amanda Cutt for winning the mixed doubles against Gary Chalmers and Nicola Young.

Another massive success for Orkney at the IBA as the trio of Neil Cormack Darren Tait and Alan Stevenson won the speed pool event while Shetland Ladies won the speed pool in the women's event.

A final message of respect must go out to Merv and Caroline Sinclair for competing in what could be their last competition for Orkney and all of us wish you the best of luck in the future. If anything changes we look forward to seeing you once again.