Kishan Hirani is the 2018 CDSA Handicap Singles champion after a 4-2 win over Kieran Madden at Taff’s Well Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

The final was an entertaining match that started well for Madden after he comfortably won the opener, and after taking a 40 point lead in the next it looked like he would extend his advantage. However, Hirani seized on a half-chance to make a superb 59 to level things at 1-1.

Madden’s long potting was a highlight of the evening and he won the third frame on the pink, but it was the next that would prove to be pivotal. It looked like Madden would go 3-1 ahead but Hirani fought back and clinched it with a pink down the cushion into the yellow pocket.

Hirani took charge of the fifth frame early on with a 42 break and followed it up with a 31 to win the quickest frame of the night to move 3-2 ahead. It meant Madden had to win the next to take it to a decider, but Hirani had other ideas and some outstanding positional play contributed to a superb 75 clearance to seal the match 4-2.

It was an excellent contest and sets the standard for the remaining finals over the next few weeks, but congratulations to Kishan on the victory.