Malcolm Keenor Trophy Final result
Fairwater Cons Mack 2 v 3 Taff’s Well
CDSA Plate Final result
RBL Warriors 3 v 1 Fairwater Cons
Taff’s Well are the 2023-24 Malcolm Keenor Trophy winners after a pulsating 3-2 comeback win over reigning champions Fairwater Cons Mack in an entertaining night at a packed Taff’s Well Ex-Serviceman’s Club.
The first frame saw Jimmy Llewellyn build on his handicap to obtain a sizeable early lead against Brian Rees, but a closely-fought encounter went to the colours with Llewellyn 15 point ahead. A difficult green was missed and Rees held his nerve for a flawless clearance to win an excellent opener on the black. Jacob Boyle built on this momentum for Fairwater as he maintained a lead over Ian Purnell, eventually winning on the blue to put his side 2-0 ahead and one frame from victory.
Taff’s Well needed a way back into the match and they got a captain’s performance from Kevin Brown whose solid matchplay and excellent potting saw him overcome Alan Hurley on the colours, before Rhys Carpenter produced the performance of the night to dominate his frame against Player of the Year Jason Hewett and level the match at 2-2 to send it to a decider. Rob Hayes knew the momentum was in his favour as he faced Cardiff Open finalist Khurram Khan, and a tense frame saw Hayes build a 30-point lead with one red remaining on the table. However, a fluke from Khan gave him a chance and following an outstanding green down the side cushion, which flicked out the pink, he looked favourite but a missed blue kept the frame alive and Hayes made the most of his opportunity shortly after to move snookers ahead, with a double pink sealing the victory and capping off a remarkable turnaround for his side, and with it the Malcolm Keenor Trophy.
On the other table, RBL Warriors faced Fairwater Cons in the final of the CDSA Plate, with Chris Johnson’s side looking to repeat their 2019-20 triumph, but they had to come from behind as Terry Garland won a close opening frame on the pink against Jason Veal. Breaks of 25 and 17 saw captain Johnson build a healthy lead against Twm Sion Jones and although some strong potting and safety got Jones back in the frame, Johnson finished off his superb performance on the colours to level the match at 1-1.
The third frame proved to be pivotal as Dave Richards faced Steve Flanagan, who built a decent lead with one red remaining, but some good potting from Richards took the frame to the pink and after a couple of safety shots, a tremendous pot with the rest gave him the frame and with it a 2-1 lead for the Warriors. Steffan Davies was on next for Fairwater, knowing only a win would keep the match alive but his opponent Nural Khan made a 32 break early on and won comfortably to win the frame and with it the Plate for RBL Warriors. With the match won, Luke Sheppard and Rob McKenna played out the fifth frame with Sheppard winning to make the final result 4-1 to Chris Johnson’s side.
