Bumper entry at the Bay - but it is Slessor who pockets prize

WALLSEND’S Elliot Slessor (off minus 40) powered his way through a record-breaking entry of 27 players to win Whitley Bay SC’s latest one-day handicapped event.

The Wallsend potter defeated Malcolm Jones 3-2 in the final.

Displaying some of the form which led to him beating the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan twice last season, Slessor opened his account by giving decent club player Tim Taylor 60 points a frame start - and still prevailing 3-0.

After disposing of Morpeth’s Gerry McNally (off 55) 3-1 with further runs which included a 94, a 61 and a 46, Slessor went on to claim a place in the final by defeating John Wears (off 60) 3-2 with the only ton of the day - a 102.

Facing up to Slessor from the other half of the field was the consistent Jones (off five), who recorded 3-1 victories over Fenham’s Mark Faicham (off 25) and Morpeth’s Duncan Williams (off 20) to reach the last four. There he edged through 3-2 in a close-fought battle on the deciding black after receiving five points a frame off Wallsend’s Billy Hunter.

It was a different story in the final, though.

Even with a 45-point advantage, Jones could not hold the on-form Slessor - who reeled off an early 75 break plus smaller runs to take the first frame 108-67.

In the following frame Jones’ 45 start was quickly swallowed up by Slessor’s run of 58 and he went on to take the frame 97-73 with further small runs of 21 and 18.

The Wallsend potter now needed only one more win for a clean sweep and it was Slessor who put the icing on the cake by clinching the third frame 87-65 with a 64 clearance.

Billy Hunter took the top break of the day award with a 76 against North Shields’ Craig Sexton.

In the plate competition, Washington’s David Lilley (off minus 30) beat Whitley’s Tim Taylor (off 20) 2-0 in the final.