Rileys Cue are the new Stan Bent Team Knockout Champions for 2009/10. 1st Div champions Rileys Cue were up against the 1st div runners up Joiners A and it proved to be an excellent final of fine potting, tactical play and some good fortune. Rileys Cue were going for the double but they knew from the start that the Joiners were going to make it very difficult for them.

FRAME ONE. Kev Brown (Cue) was first up against Simon Davies (Joiners) and after a nervy start from both players they both settled and started to get themselves into the game. After an exchange of tactical play, an error by Davies let Brown in and he seized the initiative and duly cleared with the aid of a kind kiss to put the Cue men 1-0 up.

FRAME TWO. County A and IPA tour player Rob Wharne was pitted against Paul Shepard (Joiners). Both players set out their stall for attacking pool and it was Rob Wharne who had the first chance. He then fell short on his final red and let Shepard in and it looked good until he left himself a long yellow into the top corner. He hit it with pace to guarantee position on the black but missed the pocket but it travelled all round the table and went straight into the corner and also landed perfect on the black and he sank it to level it 1-1.

FRAME THREE. Two ex county players were paired against each other as Mike Barker (Cue) took on Andy Rawlinson (Joiners). This was going to be a close fought match as both players showed a lot of respect. Rawlinson had some chances but it was Mike who was let in and he snapped up the chance and put the Cue men 2-1 up.

FRAME FOUR. Dave Barker (Cue) was on next and he faced the challenge of Daz Waters (Joiners). Both players were feeling the pressure and with Barker not seizing the opportunity it went into a tactical exchange with Waters holding the upper hand. This forced a mistake from Barker and Waters cleared comfortably

FRAME FIVE. The second half of the match saw Martin Priestley (Cue) up against County player Lee Grout (Joiners). Both players played with an all out attacking game. First in saw Grout clear the first 5 balls with ease but fell short on position and a chance fell to Priestley. He played some excellent shots upto his last ball but unfortunately left position short. He went for a fine cut on the black but only brought Grouts ball out in the open and he snapped at the chance to put the Joiners 3-2 up.

FRAME SIX. Dave Whitfield (Cue) was drawn against Paul Shepard (Joiners). Shep was still buzzing after his fine win earlier in the match and it looked good after potting his first 5 balls but then lost position and could only see a fraction of his ball. Unfortunately after clipping the ball he then went in-off. Whitfield saw a chance to level the match and when left his final 2 balls he calmly potted and positioned the ball and doubled the black into middle to level the scores.

FRAME SEVEN. So it was down to the decider and it was County player Rob Wharne up against div one average winner Andy Rawlinson. Both players felt the tension and so they both played with caution and respect. After a lengthy spell of tactical play it was Rawly who made the first and only mistake, he failed to hit a cushion and this gave Wharne an opening. He took his time and measured his clearance to perfection and he doubled the final black into the corner much to the delight of his team-mates and secured the Stan Bent team Knockout trophy running out 4-3 winners. A great final played in fine spirit to end a successful season for the Rileys Cue.

The Final line-ups of the Team Knockouts are below. Both matches to be played on 20^th June at Rileys.

The 1st round results from the Stan Bent Team Knockout are below. The six teams who were knocked out in the preliminary round will be joined in the Subsidiary Team Knockout competition by the first round losers (who turned up).