Bay triumph is a real plus for cueman

THE only minus player at the latest of Whitley Bay SC’s oneday handicapped pro-am events, Gateshead’s Brandan Hall, was beaten 3-0 by Durham’s plus-10 player Dale Allan.

A regular entrant but with little success of late, Allan opened his account by conceding 30 points a frame to North Shields’ TJ Rendles but still out-scoring the teenage potter 3-1.

Allan’s next victim in the semifinals was fellow Gateshead player Brian Hall (off 20), whom he whitewashed in three straight frames.

In the other half of the draw, favourite Hall was cruising through his first two matches with clear-cut 3-1 wins over Blyth’s Andrew Robson (off 55) and Gateshead’s Phil Curry (off 35) which included the highest break of the day – a well-compiled

91.

Requiring one more victory to earn his place in the final, Hall had to battle before scraping home 3-2 against North Shields’ Craig Sexton (off 20).

Not playing at his best, Hall seemed unable to string the balls together in the final and it was Allan

(left) who then added small 20s and 30s and the occasional 40 – plus his 25 handicap – to take the three frames 69-47(28), 71-37, 79 -44(36).

Robson (off 40) and Sexton (off 45) clashed in the final of the plate and it was the Blyth player who came out top 2-1.

A regular entrant in the Whitley events, Morpeth’s Gerry McNally clocked up his first century break with a 101 in a practice match against Dave Smith.

■■WHITLEY SC’s 6-0 full house against Guidepost in the Ashington Chisholm and LWC League took them 12 points clear of Blyth Regent A, who took four points at home off Cambois.

A further two points adrift and sharing third spot are Stakeford’s A and B teams.

■■NORTH Shields League newcomers Marden Residents are setting the pace with 19 points, closely followed by last year’s champions High Howdon.

Chirton SC are hot on their heels in joint second.