Mark Boyd is the new BMF Downpatrick and District League individuals champion after claiming victory in a captivating final that went to the last ball in the deciding frame to determine the winner. Mark, a beaten finalist the last two years, was looking to put those demons to rest while, on the other hand, his opponent, Daragh Cross player Darren Smith, is relatively new to league snooker and was the surprise package of the tournament, making it all the way to last week’s final.
Mark conceded 49 points on handicap per frame, and as the first frame progressed, the balls ran awkwardly, as Darren tried to hold his handicap advantage. A late 34 break from Mark got him right back into the frame at the latter stages, but a superb yellow to blue clearance from Darren was enough to strike first and get a frame on the board.
The second frame also started in scrappy fashion, as safety exchanges pushed many of the reds to the side rail. A long red from Mark created an opening, but his break fell at 28 as his attempt to split the pack failed to land on his next ball. Both players scored on their next visits to the table, but a pivotal point came on the colours, as Mark missed a routine brown off the spot. This left Darren with a difficult clearance, but as he potted the brown and blue, the pink was a tricky long pot to the yellow pocket.
Darren got down calmly and without hesitation slotted the pink in to take a 2-0 lead, needing only one more frame for victory. Mark, now with his back to the wall, started to show his class and used all his experience as a former all-Ireland champion, conjuring up a majestic 83 break and almost surpassing the tournament high break set by Gerard Travers at 85. The century looked assured, but a failed attempt at a red to the centre pocket halted the break, and the frame was on the board, with the scores now at 2-1 to Darren.
Mark started the next frame as he finished off the last, with a 54 break, to wipe out his handicap deficit. A quick 19 reply from Darren edged him in front again as they approached the final colours. With the scores locked at 89 points each with four balls remaining, tensions were high.
As the frame came down to the final black, it was Darren who got first chance at match ball. An attempt at the black into the green pocket caught the jaw and hung agonisingly over the lip of the pocket, allowing for a simple tap-in from Mark to secure the frame and bring the match to a decider.
The final frame started tentatively as both players didn’t want to make any early mistakes. Mark found himself 60-2 in arrears but showed some great character to compose a 36 break despite the difficult lie of the balls, which got him right back into the frame. With both players exchanging scores, it looked like the frame was going to go all the way to the final colours. After potting the blue, Darren was once again faced with match ball, a rest shot into the yellow pocket.
Darren’s attempt at the pink failed, and he had to watch in horror as the pink travelled around the table and fell in front of the black pocket. Mark stepped up next and dropped in an easy pink before he rolled the black in off the spot for a dramatic victory.
The BMF Downpatrick and District Snooker League thank Drumaness Snooker Club for hosting a fantastic tournament and all the members and officials who kept things running smoothly throughout.
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The league once again commences on Monday nights. With seven more league matches and two cups still to play for, there is plenty of snooker left in the season.
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Good luck to all league players who travel this week to Killarney for All-Ireland club competitions.
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