Interleague 2003 Match Report

12/13 April 2003 - Great Yarmouth

On the weekend of 12^th & 13^th April 2003, Local League players from all over England, gathered to play for the National Interleague Champions Title and a 1^st Prize of £3000.

Ipswich was represented by the Ipswich Independent Pool League players, who had qualified through winning a regional tournament.

The 96 teams that made the finals at Great Yarmouth were split into 32 groups of 3 teams, with each group being a round robin affair.  Ipswich found them pitched against Leicester and Sheffield and for once were tipped by the organisers to just get through the group stage.

The first match against Leicester started very well with Ipswich going 9-4 up in a best of 18, but then Leicester mounted a great revival, closing the gap to 9-7, before Neil Twomey finally buried the vital frame, to take the match 10-8 with Leicester winning the last frame to no avail.

Ipswich clearly now knew any win against Sheffield in their next match would guarantee them safe passage through to the last 32, but Sheffield started the better going 4-2 up, before Ipswich rallied with a great run of 7 frames to go 9-4.  At this point the match was stopped as the organisers stated that Ipswich could not now be toppled from top spot in the group even if they lost all the remaining frames.

The last 32 saw Ipswich drawn to play London Imperial, one of the highly fancied teams to win the entire event.  In the first set of 9 frames London saw fit to rest one of the countries finest 8 ball players (Ramesh Gokhul).  Perhaps they envisaged beating Ipswich at a canter.

This proved to be the case as they quickly established a 5-0 lead.  Ipswich now knew that nothing short of heroics would see them through this match, but great comebacks come through great belief as much as great play & Ipswich pulled the match back to 8-8, even though Ramesh Gokhul was pulled into play for London in the 2nd set.  A great break and clearance from Richard Twomey (age 14) to keep Gokhul from the table, was the pick of the frames.

At 9-8 to Ipswich, Sean Whelan doubled a great black for the Match and London were not only shell shocked, but they were out.  Ipswich could retire to their beds after a few celebratory drinks, as they were not due to play again until Sunday morning.

In the last 16 Ipswich drew Coventry for a chance to play in the quarter finals.

In a very close match, with neither side being able to establish and maintain a lead the scores were locked once again at 8-8.  Coventry eventually ran out 10-8 winners over Ipswich and the tournament came to an end with the team winning £350.00 for their efforts.

Overall a great tournament for Ipswich with good performances from all players involved, especially Richard Twomey (aged14) the youngest player in the whole tournament.

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