Bennett v McManus 25 October 2023
A mere 5 point handicap lead for Bennett, combined with McManus’s recent good form, including the bagging of the Prize Pairs trophy meant the bookies had McManus as slight favourite to win the Tony Stone Handicap this year. Tight safety play dominated the start. Then Bennett increased his lead with a couple of good breaks. No need for McManus to panic and sure enough he returned the compliment with similar point scoring himself. It was nip and tuck throughout, though both players deny any cosmetic surgery was involved.
Only one point between them after all the reds were down, created a tense atmosphere on the colours. It was too close to call. McManus scored more heavily on the low scoring colours, leaving Bennett having to pot pink and black and McManus only needing the pink. A half chance on the pink was just missed by Bennett and worse, the cue ball was perfect for the black. Bennett’s head in hand, play continued until he played a very good safety with almost full table distance between the white (top cushion) and the pink on the baulk cushion. Against the odds, McManus doubled the pink into the top corner pocket and the match was over. Well played James and Ed.
Winner James McManus with Adrian Nock (President) and runner up Ed Bennett