Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Duo pocket national win
Two Canterbury City Tuesday Pool League players have been crowned national champions.
League secretary Steve Ritchie, 23, from the Isle of Sheppey, and 30-year-old chairman Ash Hinds were part of the Kent B squad which enjoyed National Intercounty Finals glory.
Kent beat Derbyshire in the final at the end of the event in Pakefield, which took place from Friday, May 6 until Sunday, May 8.
Of their route to success, Ritchie said: “It’s the top-16 county B teams in the country.
“In the last 16, we won 23-18 against Norfolk B. In our quarter-final, we beat Essex B 23-13.
“Our semi-final was probably the best match for us. We were 19-11 down to the reigning champions Leicestershire B and ended up winning 23-20.
“In our final, we then won 23-21, which was a fairly tense final, against Derbyshire.
“It was a long weekend - with a lot of matches - but we came through it!” Ash won 10 out of 16 frames at the competition in total while Ritchie claimed nine out of 15 frames during his first season with the B team, who played their first game at 9pm. Ritchie says others also involved at the Canterbury City Tuesday Pool League have been pleased for the duo.
“They have all been really pleased for us,” he said. “It’s nice recognition.”
Ritchie played for England under23s in February in the European Championships in Ireland and also expects to compete at the World Championships in October, at Killarney, also in Ireland.
He added: “That’s something I’m looking forward to.”
The Canterbury City Tuesday Pool League are on the lookout for new players. If interested, approach the club through their Canterbury City Tuesday Pool League Facebook page.