The Finals weekend drew to a close on Sunday Afternoon and weary pool players from across the nation headed home some nursing trophies and cheques, some sore heads! A thoroughly enjoyable weekend of pool was had by all, with pool of the highest standard played in the spirit of true sportsmanship.
The BAPTO £11,000 prize fund was, as always, distributed well down the table to reward as many players as possible. The 2011 Team Champions are ‘Normans Snooker’ from Manchester who pipped ‘Fingers & Four Thumbs’ from Wisbech in the final. The Plate winners were ‘Team Europe’ from Leicestershire with Potaholics of Powys Runners up. In the Mixed Doubles, Scotland’s Andy & Shona Lucas edged out David Atherley & Kerry Griffiths from Nottingham 3 frames to two.
In the Singles events, Shane Thompson was imperious conceding only 2 frames in his last 3 matches to lift the trophy ahead of Sammy Donaldson. The Ladies event, with yet another increase in numbers this year, was won by Shona Lucas, Kim Carney from Basildon was runner up.
The geographical spread of the winners proves the continuing appeal of pub pool with team and singles entries this year from every corner of Britain. The state of the economy had lead to fears of reduced entries in 2011 but BAPTO were rewarded for their hard work in promoting Pool with numbers on a par with last year and universal praise from players for the quality of the event.
