🎱 Trent Trophies Pool League – Doubles Merits Night 1 Recap

What an incredible start to this year’s Doubles Merits! The Plaza Pool & Snooker Club was buzzing on Wednesday night as 102 players and a fantastic crowd of spectators packed in for an electric opening round. With 35 Tier 2 pairs and 16 main‑event pairs, the atmosphere was lively from the first break to the final ball.

Despite only one late arrival (resulting in a one‑frame penalty) and a couple of pairs not entering their scores, the night flowed smoothly — even the final 9pm matches were only 15 minutes behind schedule. A great result on such a packed card!

🔹 Tier 2 Event – Key Highlights

From the very first matches, the drama arrived early.

• Last year’s runners‑up Everson & Ellis suffered a shock prelim exit to Baldwin & Johnson, losing 3–1.
• Malbon & Phillips claimed a notable scalp, taking out fancied duo Doughty & Jolley in a deciding frame.
• The Eastlake brothers looked sharp in a 3–2 win over Clark & Grudzien.
• Dimarco & Underwood secured a tidy 3–1 victory over Baddeley & Chadwick.
• The night’s longest match — a gruelling 90‑minute affair — saw Blackhurst & Jones edge Deakin & Barker 3–1.

⭐ Tier 2 Qualifiers for Finals Night

• Jackson & Brock – flawless, qualifying without dropping a frame.
• Wager & Statham – former winners looking dangerous after toppling the Ward pairing.
• Whetnall & Huxley – surprise stars, beating Adams & Davis 3–1.
• Malbon & Phillips – battled through another tight one vs Smith & Owen.
• Marsden & Ball – consistent and composed, beating the Eastlakes in a decider.
• Mooney & Ward – Ethan Ward the last Ward standing after a gritty decider vs Dimarco & Underwood.
• Blackhurst & Jones – rebounded strongly with a rapid win over Gilson & Currall.
• Baldwin & Johnson – sealed their spot with a 3–1 win against Tatton & O’Leary.

🔸 Main Event – The Road to Finals Night

Both semi‑finals and the final will be streamed live on Wednesday, complete with a 45‑second shot clock from 8pm. Here’s how the last four made it through.

🎯 Round of 16 Results

• Poop & Pope (Division 1’s only representatives) claimed the first upset over Symons & Parkes.
• Former champions Latham & Bridgwood looked strong with a 4–1 win over Amphlett & Haddrell.
• Two father‑and‑son pairings progressed:
  • Brookes & Brookes edged Ammo & Llewellyn 4–3.
  • White & White beat Knapper & Mas 4–2.
• Ryan & Guard eased past Harper & Shone 4–2.
• Defending champions Wilshaw & Davis won 4–2 against Williams & Hamilton.
• Thursfield & Allcock impressed with a composed 4–2 win over Rathbone & Lightfoot.
• Longson & Mountford, last year’s runners‑up, advanced via a bye — meaning all three juniors reached the quarter‑final stage.

💥 Quarter‑Final Highlights

• White & White were ruthless, sweeping Ryan & Guard 4–0 (ensuring Teddy made it to bed at a sensible time!).
• Longson & Mountford edged Poop & Pope 4–2 with a clinical final frame.
• Latham & Bridgwood continued their charge with a 4–2 win over Brookes & Brookes.
• Thursfield & Allcock produced a standout performance, eliminating the holders Wilshaw & Davis after out‑safing them in key exchanges.

🏆 Finals Night Line‑Up

Semi‑Final 1

Jamie Latham & Steve Bridgwood
vs
Teddy White & Liam White

Semi‑Final 2

Adrian Thursfield & Shaun Allcock
vs
Ryan Longson & Gary Mountford

🎙️ Commentary from "Whispering" Andy Woodhouse, with hopes of a guest player joining him on the mic.

Finals Night promises tension, talent, and top‑tier entertainment — don’t miss it!