BHAMRA VERSUS MCMANUS: 30 NOVEMBER 2022.
The Spring Handicap took a while to get going this year, but there was nothing slow about Jas Bhamra’s start to the final. On his second shot of the frame he consummately stroked in a thirty break with four reds, three blacks and a blue. James McManus’ handicap lead of 5 was washed away with the blink of an eye when he came back to the table for only his second shot.
Undaunted by this sudden setback, McManus soon potted two very good long reds. Unfortunately, with no colours to follow these reds, Bhamra was still in the ‘box seat’. And yet after a lull in the scoring, and some good safety play from both players, Bhamra showed some frustration when he missed an easy blue. Just when it looked like McManus might make a couple of good scores and bridge the scoreboard gap, he was unlucky with two unforeseeable ‘in off’ fouls.
With these foul shots, Bhamra was able to capitalise with some red/colour combinations. This meant that it was 58 to 19 in favour of Bhamra when the last red was potted. Three snookers required by McManus for a re-spotted black. A tall order made impossible when Bhamra calmly potted yellow, green and brown in one break with good positional play. Blue was missed, McManus did the only thing available to him and conceded.
This final was won by some accomplished potting and skilful positional play from Bhamra. That said, he did have some fortune at the start of the frame. Having split the reds from his break off, this would normally leaving a pot on. However, he managed to cover all the pockets and also give McManus no real option to get back to baulk. Consequently there looked like a lot of ‘hit and hope’ in McManus’ very first shot. His ‘hope’ was then dashed when the cue ball was left amongst the reds with many now available. The rest is history – reported above. Sport would be much less interesting without ‘What ifs’, but they don’t win games!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO JAS, WINNER BY 67 TO 19. CONCESSION ON BLUE.
Reported by Dave Sykes
