Billy is in the Hunt for big break at Bay
THE first prize in the latest Whitley Bay Handicapped Pro-Am made its way to Wallsend thanks to the skills of minus-five player Billy Hunter.
He won a lengthy cat-andmouse final 3-1 against Morpeth’s Gerry McNally (off 20).
Needing all his experience, the Wallsend potter started his campaign with a hard-earned 3-2 success against Durham’s Dale Allan (off 15) which only ended when he fired in a break of 75 in the decider.
After seeing off Blyth’s coaching school junior Brendan Erridge (off 35) 3-0, Hunter had to go the full five frames again this time against Blyth’s Andrew Robson (off 40) to book a place in the final.
Conceding 30 points a frame to North Shields’ Carl Sexton, McNally came through his opener 3-1 - only to be told his next opponent had failed to show.
That gave him a bye into the semi-finals against North Shields’ TJ Rendles (off 20), which he won 3-1.
The better game in a scrappy final came from the more confident Hunter, who took three of the four frames against McNally (off 20) with several runs in the 20s, 30s and 40s.
Top break of the day went to Hunter’s first-round 75 against Allan.
Gateshead’s Hall family domineered the Plate final, minus- 20 young gun Brandon claiming the title with a 2-0 victory over uncle Brian (off 55).
■■WHITLEY Bay SC stay 10 points clear at the top of the Ashington LWC League from Newbiggin GC after the pair recorded the same scoreline against their opponents Regent B.
■■S/HIRST C have taken over at the top of both divisions in the Ashington Billiards and Snooker Leagues.
In the snooker section, their six-point win over Vets A took them one point clear of Choppington B with Guidepost and Vets D in joint third.